Designing life around time
I still remember one of my first corporate jobs nearly 30 years ago, working for a real estate developer that was already building condominiums at a time when many Filipinos still preferred house-and-lot communities outside the city.
Back then, condo living was not yet the lifestyle choice that it is today. For many people, it was simply practical—close to work, easy to maintain, and useful for people with busy schedules.
Changing priorities
What surprises me now is seeing how much the city and people’s priorities have changed over the years.
That same developer continues to grow today, and I still keep in touch with many friends from that company. When we meet, our conversations are no longer mainly about projects and construction. More often, we end up talking about traffic, health, work-life balance, our children who are now older, and how exhausting daily travel in Metro Manila has become.
Somewhere along the way, many people started realizing that a good life is not only about having a bigger home—sometimes, it is also about protecting your time.
Appeal of condo living
That is probably one reason condominium living continues to appeal to many people today—not only to young professionals, but also to young couples trying to build their careers, and even empty nesters who remain active in business or corporate work but no longer want the burden of maintaining a large property.
The biggest advantage is often simple: proximity.
Living near work changes your daily routine completely. Instead of spending hours inside traffic, you gain time for yourself. You can walk to nearby cafés, restaurants, groceries, gyms, or meeting places. You become less dependent on long drives just to accomplish basic errands.
Even something as ordinary as walking under the morning sun on the way to work feels different compared to starting the day stressed inside a vehicle.
Impact on well-being
Over time, these small routines affect overall well-being.
Walking becomes part of everyday life instead of another task that needs scheduling. Many health organizations continue to recommend daily movement and walking as part of maintaining cardiovascular health and reducing stress.
In highly walkable areas, people naturally move more without even thinking about it.
Lifestyle changes
Many residential developments today are also responding to these lifestyle changes.
Shared amenities such as gyms, swimming pools, lounges, landscaped areas, and cafés are no longer treated simply as luxury features. For many residents, these spaces become part of their everyday routine and social life.
Reliable internet connectivity, backup power systems, security personnel, CCTV monitoring, and professional property management also provide a certain level of comfort, especially for people who travel often or maintain demanding work schedules.
Of course, condominium living is not perfect. Units are usually smaller, and living within major central business districts (CBDs) is undeniably expensive. But many residents also realize that fuel costs, toll fees, parking expenses, and the physical exhaustion associated with long commutes are reduced.
In many cases, the trade-off becomes worthwhile.
Building responsibly
At the same time, cities must also become more responsible in how residential towers are planned and built.
Density alone is not enough. Good developments should still consider open spaces, greenery, mobility, safety, wellness, and the overall experience of daily life. Buildings should not simply maximize floor area; they should support healthier and more livable communities.
In the end, the real value of city living may not simply be the prestigious address or the skyline view. For many people today, the real luxury is being able to spend less time in traffic and more time actually living.
The author is a LEED Fellow, ASEAN Architect, UAP Fellow, and educator with over
25 years of professional practice in architecture and sustainability
