8 Takeaways From Slater Young’s Skypod 2.0 Tour
Those in the process of building a home should take notes
Slater Young has been instrumental to the DIY pursuits of many these days as he continues to empower people by shedding light on basic construction and home upkeep concerns through his vlogs.
Growing up in the construction industry, Young is himself an engineer. His own creation for his family, Skypod, is a testament to his design knowledge. Young created a vlog about the Skypod on YouTube in December 2019:
Currently at 5,283,703 views, the Skypod’s popularity continues to rise, owing to its sleek, clean lines and thoughtful design.
A few weeks ago, Slater Young posted another YouTube video. This time, he unveiled the Skypod 2.0, a prototype home for Monterazzas Prime in Cebu. The tour consisted of digital renderings of the house.
Skypod 2.0
Skypod 2.0
Skypod 2.0
Photo Credit: @llgarchitects
Skypod 2.0
Photo Credit: @llgarchitects
Skypod 2.0
Photo Credit: @llgarchitects
Skypod 2.0
Photo Credit: @llgarchitects
Skypod 2.0
Photo Credit: @llgarchitects
Skypod 2.0
Photo Credit: @llgarchitects
Skypod 2.0
Photo Credit: @llgarchitects
Skypod 2.0
Photo Credit: Still from Slater Young's Skypod 2.0 vlog
The Monterazzas Prime website describes the development as “create[d] with thoughtful design and careful attention to detail… from every detail [seen and not], each element is designed for a life without limits.” In his vlog, Young admits to taking time to show the project as he is known to be a perfectionist. Creating the Skypod 2.0 with LLG Architects was thus naturally a process that involved meticulous design development and rigorous exploration of the most the development can be. No leaf was left unturned here, down to where the garbage bins are to be situated.
Situated on a mountainside, Skypod 2.0 and the rest of the homes in the development look over a magnificent view of Cebu City. The homes also rest on massive stilts for the owners’ peace of mind. The result is quite enticing. Imagine walking into an open floor plan that encourages indoor-outdoor living, with each room at home gifted with natural light and a view. It’s even made more dramatic with the dappled sunlight streaming into the home’s windows. “Let’s move in,” Kryz Uy, Young’s wife repeatedly says, affirming the magic of this place.
For those in the process of building a home, we took notes, and summarized some of the best design moves Young made in Skypod 2.0:
8 Takeaways From The Slater Young's Skypod 2.0 Tour
8 Takeaways From The Slater Young's Skypod 2.0 Tour
Maximize your site.
Monterazzas Prime is situated on the side of a mountain. As such, the Skypod 2.0 as well as the other homes in the development enjoy the breeze from this site.
Photo Credit: @llgarchitects
Overlooking the city of Cebu means that the development has the benefit of being away from the center it, with a bounty of fresh air and unhindered by the pollution.
Photo Credit: @llgarchitects
These homes are designed to make the most of the site: when homeowners are in the pool and outdoor areas, they have the advantage of a true respite as they take in the mountain breeze and the unparalleled view.
Photo Credit: @llgarchitects
If you have a view, orient rooms towards it.
Being open to a vista immediately gives you more design advantages.
Photo Credit: Still from Slater Young's Skypod 2.0 vlog
Work with your design team by expressing your priorities to them. Perhaps key rooms can be positioned so that they have maximal exposure to the view and natural light.
Photo Credit: Still from Slater Young's Skypod 2.0 vlog
Make the most of your site by making your home an experience for everyone to enjoy. For example, a bathroom can be dramatic by situating the tub so that you can enjoy the view while relaxing in it.
Photo Credit: Still from Slater Young's Skypod 2.0 vlog
In Skypod 2.0, the main living spaces are open to the infinity pool which is exposed to the vista beyond.
Photo Credit: Still from Slater Young's Skypod 2.0 vlog
Remember the principles of feng shui.
When designing the Skypod 2.0, the design team adhered to feng shui principles that dictate that the home should be situated where the sea is in front, and the mountain is behind.
Photo Credit: Still from Slater Young's Skypod 2.0 vlog
Classic feng shui principles state that it is best for the chi (energy) of the home when the land behind it is slightly higher than the front of the home. This ensures that the home is protected. Having a large body of water next to the home is not a good idea. Instead, a small body of water in front of the house (in this case, the pool), is considered excellent feng shui.
Photo Credit: Still from Slater Young's Skypod 2.0 vlog
Use Low Emissivity Glass (LEG)
LEG allows for insulation. It blocks the sun's harmful rays out. It minimizes the amount of ultraviolet and infrared light that can pass through the glass.
Photo Credit: Still from Slater Young's Skypod 2.0 vlog
The thin coating on the LEG allows the glass to reflect the interior room's temperature back inside for efficient energy use. Hence, if, for example, you are using your A/C indoors, the temperature of your room will stay even if it has large glass windows or doors that can potentially alter the temperature by letting higher temperatures in due to the sunlight.
Photo Credit: Still from Slater Young's Skypod 2.0 vlog
LEG helps keep UV rays out of the home, keeping your furniture preserved, preventing it from fading. This also helps maintain good skin.
Photo Credit: Still from Slater Young's Skypod 2.0 vlog
Use quartz countertops.
Quartz countertops are engineered stones. As such, they are more forgiving than their natural counterparts. They don't chip or crack easily, and are not prone to stains. They also don't retain bacteria and viruses.
Photo Credit: Still from Slater Young's Skypod 2.0 vlog
If you have built a home before and are happy with your old suppliers, use them again.
If you've gone through the process of building a home, chances are you are familiar with some suppliers. You have probably called on them for maintenance and the like.
Photo Credit: Still from Slater Young's Skypod 2.0 vlog
If you are happy with their product and service, by all means, use them again. It is always a good idea to have a relationship with your suppliers through the years.
Photo Credit: Still from Slater Young's Skypod 2.0 vlog
An open space design is a chameleon.
Though decidedly modern, and reminiscent of some classic homes such as The Farnsworth House by Mies Van Der Rohe, an open plan is versatile, nevertheless.
Photo Credit: Still from Slater Young's Skypod 2.0 vlog
Slater Young argues that you can incorporate your preference and personality in an open design through furniture choices. Bringing in pieces made of wicker and rattan lends it a tropical feel. On the other hand, you may bring in mid-century modern furniture for a retro look. The possibilities are plenty.
Photo Credit: Still from Slater Young's Skypod 2.0 vlog
Be mindful of light and ventilation.
Aside from maximizing your view, having a lot of glazed elevations in your home's design also allows you to let light in, and have good ventilation.
Photo Credit: Still from Slater Young's Skypod 2.0 vlog
Be mindful of light and ventilation.
In the Skypod 2.0, Young and his team used sun baffles to conceal the bathroom and the tub area, while still allowing natural light in.
Photo Credit: Still from Slater Young's Skypod 2.0 vlog
Be mindful of light and ventilation.
Transoms were also employed in order for more ventilation and light by the vanity area and the closet area.
Photo Credit: Still from Slater Young's Skypod 2.0 vlog
Watch the vlog here: