You want to be conscientious of your environment? Live in a hut in the jungle, and hug a tree when the big bad wolves disguised as land developers intrude.

But now, Ayala Land has come upon a compromise that it claims would address both a green conscience and the luxurious way of life.

Ayala Land explained further that the fact that it was increasing its residential development in the Makati Central Business District already meant the residents' reduced dependence on cars-right then and there reducing their carbon footprint.

The buildings themselves would be designed to save energy. Ayala Land Premier, the crème de la crème company of Ayala Land's high-end property development division, is building its Park Terraces 2 with the following innovative highlights:

1.) The use of master switch key cards to lessen electric bills. With the master switch key card (most luxury hotels are using this in all their rooms), there would be no need to manually unplug all electrical appliances from the socket. The master switch key card will allow unit owners to minimize electric consumption once they leave the units for the day, as only the refrigerator will not be turned off with the removal of the master switch key card from its slot. The projected cost savings from this has been estimated at 30 percent compared with conventional residential buildings.

2.) Motion sensors installed at the corridors. Lights automatically turn on only when the sensors' computers detect a person.

3.) Passive cooling ventilation on the tower. Conventional residential towers are designed with limited window openings, Park Terraces 2's beams won't get in the way of the building's window balconies and sliding doors. Opening up the units from the 20th to the 25th floor reduces the need for owners to turn on the air conditioning. Furthermore, hallways have been designed for optimum airflow at both ends.

4.) The water closets use the dual flush technology. Owners can use the low-water flow flush whenever appropriate.

5.) With the building's large windows, natural light is maximized at every unit.

6.) Park Terraces 2 will be integrated into the planned 10-year, P20-billion makeover of the Ayala Center envisioned to become a pedestrian-friendly center for commerce and living. The planned additional walkways, interconnected underground parking, four hectares of parks and green spaces (such as the one-hectare landscaped Palm Promenade right beside Park Terraces towers) and additional retail areas are expected to motivate occupants to go out more and exercise, meditate and commune with others-altogether reducing the "sick building syndrome" and minimizing hospitalization costs among unit dwellers and owners.

Park Terraces 2, scheduled for turnover in 2016, will bring owners ever closer to a lifestyle that's healthier for both humans and the planet, according to Bobby Dy, Ayala Land senior vice president and head of the residential business group, and Leya Moya, project development manager for ALP residential buildings.

Thus far, Park Terraces 2 has consistently lured in the Triple A residential market, according to Moya. Initially selling at an average rate of P153,000 per square meter for the first of its planned three-tower project, Park Terraces 2 now fetches an average P163,000 per sqm. The first tower is already 93 percent sold.

The Point Tower, the second development within Park Terraces, highlights the exclusivity of each unit-units are zoned according to size, so that all one-bedroom units, from the 5th to the 33rd floor, number 10 per floor; two-bedroom units, from the 34th to the 47th floor, will number six per floor. There will be four three-bedroom units per floor and two penthouse units.

By: Tessa Salazar
Philippine Daily Inquirer