Arthaland’s Lucima: Recasting luxury

In the world of metals, recasting is used to describe the process by which a metal object is given a different form by melting it and reshaping it. It’s about changing the metal’s being and not just merely redefining it. This came to mind as I was attending the virtual launch of Arthaland’s new luxury residential condominium project in Cebu called Lucima.

In our pre-pandemic world, real-estate luxury was all about opulence, even excess, as companies vied to incorporate the best and brightest in their offerings. But today, given all that has happened over the last year and a half, luxury is being recast as going that extra mile in offering sustainability and wellness, along with health, safety, security, and comfort. Design, location, and the amenities are still part of the packaging; but now, it’s also about making your home a haven in the truest sense of the word. It’s building with an enhanced sense of responsibility.

Lucima is envisioned to be the first quadruple-certified sustainable high-rise residential condominium in the country. (Artist’s Perspective)

And that’s why Arthaland can stand tallest in this regard. From its very first development, up to today, it has always taken that “green” route, designing for a discriminating clientele who, even pre-pandemic, would appreciate this extra mile. It’s the only Philippine developer with a 100 percent green and sustainable portfolio, raising the specifications and standards as it evolves on the global stage, and incorporating these green practices in their properties. Arthaland is all about highlighting sustainability, wellness, high quality, and superior design.

The Lucima virtual launch with Jaime C. González, Christopher G. Narciso, and Oliver L. Chan being interviewed by host Issa Litton.

Why Lucima in Cebu City? From Jaime C. González, Arthaland vice chairman and president, “We want to share our vision and commitment to different parts of the country. Cebu is the best place to start it off in the South for Arthaland, following the success of our company’s office building development, the Cebu Exchange.”

Coined from the Latin word “Lux,” which is defined as light, and the Spanish word “Estima,” which means appreciation, Lucima will have light and its benefits as the inspiration for the structure’s aesthetics, functionality, and energy efficiency. Light provides a solid architectural narrative, dictating what space feels like. One aspect of this is how the 2.9-meter floor-to-ceiling height will have tall windows that allow abundant light to penetrate inside the homes, while preventing indoor heat gain. It’s not lost on Arthaland how light impacts our mental and physical health, promoting enhanced mood and productivity.

Designed by Saraiva + Associados, a globally renowned architectural firm based in Lisbon, Lucima will offer 263 one- to five-bedroom living spaces, ranging from 38 to 542 square meters. Residents will enjoy a view of the ocean, the mountains, or the city. As architect and CEO Miguel Saraiva puts it, “The goal of this project was to design an iconic building that would engage with its surroundings. The building sits on a podium — a podium with personality — which will showcase a vertically well-designed and integrated building. Its facade will have different interpretations depending on the solar incidence, and how it is viewed from the outside to the inside.”

The 37-story Lucima sits on 2,245 square meters of prime real estate at the corner of Cardinal Rosales Avenue and Samar Loop in Cebu Business Park. It’s envisioned to be the first quadruple-certified sustainable high-rise residential condominium in the country. Christopher G. Narciso, executive vice president of Arthaland was proud to disclose that “Lucima has earned pre-certification for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold by the US Green Building Council. It is vying for WELL (WELL Building Standard), EDGE (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies), and BERDE (Building for Ecologically Responsive Design Excellence) certifications.”

Meticulously planned with health, safety, and security in mind, Lucima residents will benefit from lower electric and water bills, and improved air quality. Residents and tenants can enjoy up to 40 percent savings in electric bills and at least 20 percent in water consumption, thanks to the building envelope design, the AC and lighting system, and the low-flow plumbing features. Each unit will have an Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV) that improves indoor air quality, while controlling the humidity, and preventing harmful microbes and pathogens from entering the space. This should result in reduced incidents of cold, fewer allergies, and better quality of sleep. A Potager Garden will provide residents with fresh, organic, and nutritious produce.

Emera Property Management, a wholly-owned Arthaland subsidiary, will handle every aspect of Lucima’s upkeep and day-to-day management. It will introduce new technologies such as a remote virtual concierge, and semi-autonomous surveillance robots to promote a safer, contactless environment.

Lucima is scheduled to be completed in the third quarter of 2025.

Full article: https://mb.com.ph/2021/07/09/arthalands-lucima-recasting-luxury/