A home that breathes sustainability
Some buildings impress you from a distance. Others draw you in–the kind you want to step inside and experience for yourself.
For me, one of those places is YY House in Mandaue, Cebu.
This is not just another modern home. It’s the first single-detached residence in Southeast Asia to earn U.S. Green Building Council LEED for Homes v4.1 Platinum certification, setting a new standard for sustainable living in the region.
I had hoped to visit last year, but work got in the way. This time, I intend to make that trip, to finally walk through its spaces and feel what it’s like to live in a house where sustainability isn’t just a concept, but a way of life.
Sustainable family home
YY House challenges the usual narrative. A green building is often associated with high-rise towers and corporate campuses.
Yet here stands a family home that embodies efficiency, health, comfort, and environmental responsibility. It shows what can happen when sustainable ideals meet personal vision.
That vision began with the homeowner, William Yap, who set out to build a house that balanced comfort with environmental responsibility. Turning that vision into reality were Ar. Chito and Marivic Kapuno, a husband-and-wife team whose work reflects deep technical skill and a steady commitment to green design.
Over the years, I’ve worked with them on several projects and seen how they bring both heart and precision to their craft. This partnership between a forward-thinking client and an experienced design-build team gives YY House its character.
Quiet confidence
Beyond its certifications, the house has a quiet confidence.
Its 42.9-kilowatt solar array produces more energy than it consumes, achieving a HERS rating of –173, a remarkable number for a tropical home. NFRC-certified windows, an airtight and insulated envelope, and a high-efficiency HVAC system keep the interiors cool and comfortable with minimal energy.
Rainwater harvesting and purification systems make it thoroughly water self-sufficient, while advanced air filtration and humidity-regulating finishes maintain a clean and healthy indoor environment.
Every detail here feels intentional. Non-toxic materials keep the spaces safe for their occupants. The landscape thrives on low-water plantings that suit the local climate. Light and air move freely through the interiors without sacrificing performance. It’s tropical modernism at its best—elegant, innovative, and sustainable.
International recognition
YY House has earned international recognition: the 2021 LEED Home Award for Most Outstanding Single Family Home, out of more than 3,400 residential projects worldwide, and the 2023 Build Architecture Award for Best Contemporary Residential House Design Project.
But awards only tell part of the story. What excites me more is the experience it promises–a home that doesn’t just perform well but also feels warm, bright, and alive.
As an architect and sustainability advocate, I look forward to the day I finally step through its doors.
Numbers and certificates can explain only so much–being in that space will reveal the rest. YY House is more than a house—it’s a statement. It shows that with vision, skill, and purpose, a truly sustainable future can begin right at home.
