Revolution Pre-Crafted Properties launched Classy Modular Homes for Masses

by MHProNews

Filipino real estate developer “Robbie Antonio defines the art of living by living with art,” writes Keren Blankfeld in Forbes. Antonio launched Revolution Pre-crafted Properties with the aim of offering designer class to his nation’s middle class.

“I want the homes to be perceived as art pieces,” Antonio says of the typical 1000 square foot homes that sell for about $300,000. He has partnerships with such notables as Donald Trump, Paris Hilton and Forbes.

His firm has global ambitions, with buyers from diverse locations such as Russia and Central America. He contracts the building to various production centers. Some of the production facilities are using advanced robotics.

U.S. factory builders…are you watching developments like this?

 

Related Links: About Robbie Antonio , Contact

Architect-designed garden rooms

by Caroline Allen, Independent.ie

If you’re in the market for a starchitect-designed room, then Ron Arad’s Armadillo Tea Pavilion might fit the bill. One of 30 limited edition prefab structures from well-known architects, artists and designers, The Armadillo, can be used indoors or out, and has five modular shells that can be reconfigured in various ways. For more details, revolutionprecrafted.com

According to Marcus Donaghy of Donaghy + Dimond Architects – recently awarded the 2016 AAI Downes medal for excellence in architectural design – the advantage an architect-designed garden room is that it is made to measure your garden’s shape, size and look. “This is obviously reflected in cost, which will be dependent on size, spec, location and accessibility for builders.”

The owners of a Ranelagh Victorian house asked Donaghy + Dimond to design a separate garden room, pictured left, that would give a sense of connection between the house and garden. The remains of the old garage walls were wrapped in glazed brick and a loft was created out of breathable hemp- insulated timber, with framed walls clad in sweet chestnut, supporting a planted roof and hanging gardens.

In the ground floor level, there’s a roof-lit shower room that can be accessed from the garden; a plant room with ground source heat pump and log store; and a car space which can also fit a table tennis table.

Above the garage, at the level of the canopy of the old apple tree, is the timber-framed loft. It’s lined with douglas fir plywood. “This was designed as a den or tree house, with a covered open air stairs rising directly from the garden,” says Marcus Donaghy. “The loft is fitted out with a built-in settle bed for kids to camp out on,” he says.

“The garden room or loft-over-garage meant we didn’t over-extend the original protected structure,” Donaghy says. Owners Susan and David say it’s been enjoyed by their twin boys who will shortly be 22. “They used it for band practice, which was great for us – we didn’t have to listen to it directly,” Susan laughs. “One of them is currently in college in Dublin, ensconced in it while he studies,” she says.

“It’s an extra space that functions as part of the house, but is separate and offers privacy. Because the living area which is on the middle floor, is open-plan style, and there are five of us, having this separate space was great. It’s a super place for teenagers to escape to without being out of sight,” says Susan.

“We also have an 11-year-old daughter who is waiting to reclaim it as a den and when the children have all left, we plan to use it as an office. It’s very adaptable.”

 

Legendary designers like Tom Dixon and Zaha Hadid create prefab houses and pavilions

Robbie Antonio , founder and president of New York-based Antonio Development and managing director of Philippine-based Century Properties is offering anyone this possibility, through Revolution: a range of pre-crafted limited-edition homes and pavilions, exclusively designed in partnership with an impressive list of over 30 architects, designers and artists that include Pritzker Prize-winner Zaha Hadid, Kengo Kuma, Gluckman Tang, and David Salle.

What do you do when living in a condominium designed by a starchitect no longer cuts it? You get a pavilion designed by said starchitect built for you and only you. Or if you wish, even a house. You just need the space, permit and a local contractor to make that happen.

Each pavilion and home is individually branded by its designer’s personal concept of spatial form and social function. The result is a diverse and global collection of architecturally innovative, pre-crafted properties, ranging from functional pavilions to modular homes.

“As an art collector, I had the idea to make high-design architecture collectible and available to the public,” says Mr Antonio, on the idea behind Revolution.

Revolution was launched at Design Miami 2015 with two pre-crafted pavilions by Zaha Hadid and Gluckman Tang. It will continue to debut new designs – both homes and pavilions – at Salone del Mobile in Milan this April. Mr Antonio says that there has been interest throughout the world. He recently closed a deal with a developer for 27 homes, but declined to give further details.

Prices start at US$35,000 (S$48,000) for pavilions and the wait time is a minimum six weeks for certain models. The average price of a pavilion is over US$100,000, while the average price of a home is US$300,000.

Mr Antonio says that Revolution targets a variety of markets. “It could be the individual collector who is looking to have his very own Zaha Hadid-designed pavilion to serve as ‘architectural jewellery’,” he says. “Additionally, Revolution targets businesses, such as real estate and hospitality developments, that have chosen to invest in the value of design and the experience of branded architecture.”

The homes and pavilions are crafted around the world and then shipped to the buyers’ doorsteps. On the design brief, Mr Antonio says he told his collaborators that the designs had to be fully transportable and cost-efficient and gave size limits for pavilions and homes, but allowed the creatives to run free with design concept.

Pavilions are designed as dynamic one-room spaces, adaptable for a variety of functions and existing environments. As each pavilion is individually branded by its designer’s personal concept of spatial form and social function, collectors can choose from a range of designs specifically tailored to their lifestyles and tastes.

Zaha Hadid’s Volu Dining Pavilion has her signature organic form and curves, with cells on the ceiling and the floor. Bespoke designed furniture complement the pavilion. Meanwhile Gluckman Tang’s Model Art Pavilion is a light structure that mediates the relationship between its site, the participant and the art object.

Besides, homebuyers keen on high-design living can purchase multi-bedroom homes, complete with spatial functions and fully equipped with premier amenities and finishings. One such house is Eden by Marcel Wanders. Open and unfenced, the generous use of glass and a roof that extends over the exterior connect the inside and outside spaces to create twice the living area for special private and social gatherings. A row of signature Marcel Wanders columns clad in synthetic textile, woven according to local craftsmanship, lines the periphery, casting shadows during the day and lighting up dramatically at night.

Mr Antonio says Revolution is more than just picking a home or pavilion from a catalogue. “Revolution is somewhat customisable – clients can select different models, sizes and materials depending on their needs, their budget, and their lifestyle.”

Adapted from The Business Times.

by Tay Suan Chiang

Related Links: About Robbie Antonio . Contact

Lenny Kravitz, the singer who is also an interior designer

by Idealista/News

He had already proven himself as a reference musician on the international scene for a long time. Now, Lenny Kravitz has come to show the world that he also has an artist streak as an interior designer with the so-called  Instrumental Home. Designed by the architect Marmol Radziner, this modular house is located in a lush forest area and is formed from an office, including a living room, kitchen, bedroom and bathroom.

Photo: Diário Imobiliário.

The dialogue with the environment, according to the Diário Imobiliário, is made there from a glass facade working as a “surround”. Both the living room and bedroom open onto large terraces , while a hammock filters light into the property.

This project, in which Lenny Kravitz participates, is part of the ” Conjunto Revolution “, developed by Filipino real estate developer Robbie Antonio.

Photo: Diário Imobiliário.

At stake is a set of modular and sustainable houses and pavilions designed by major figures in world architecture, such as the American architect Daniel Libeskind, the Japanese Sou Fujimoto and Kengo Kuma and the Brazilian brothers Fernando and Humberto Campana.

According to the online medium, the spaces are developed with advanced prefabricated materials , personalized design and a low-cost production system, forming an outline of the democratization of architecture, the use of public space and its social function. The series was launched last year by Design Miami, a dining pavilion designed by Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid.

prefabricated-houses.-la-viienda-instrumental-by-radziner-and-interiors-by-kravitz-design1_full
lenny-kravitz-turns-out-to-be-an-interior-designer-at-home-modular_fullview

Article seen on

Lenny Kravitz reveals himself to be a modular home interior designer

—

Related Links:  About Robbie Antonio, Contact

Century Properties’ Robbie Antonio: Making his mark in real estate industry

by The Philippine Star

MANILA, Philippines – Century Properties Group Inc. managing director Robbie Antonio spoke before the well-attended “Forbes Asia Forum: The Next Tycoons – A Generation Emerges” on June 11 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Hong Kong.

Antonio participated as a speaker at the forum and joined the panel, ‘Making your mark’. The panel focused on how next generation tycoons traditionally take the reins of their family companies by being responsible stewards of their past generation’s accomplishments. Yet their success is oftentimes measured by their bold and ingenuous strategies to launch into new directions and expand their family businesses through fresh avenues of growth.

As Century’s head for brand collaborations, Antonio  conceived and orchestrated the company’s real estate project tie-ups with global brands including Donald Trump, Armani, yoo inspired by Starck (of John Hitchcox and Philippe Starck), Paris Hilton, Missoni, Daniel Libeskind, Versace, Armani Casa and Forbes Media.

At the forum where Antonio was the lone Filipino speaker among Asia’s top new-generation business leaders, the young entrepreneur addressed questions such as how these leaders can apply the lessons learned from the old guard, develop their own passions and execute their own visions. On the panel, Antonio shared his experiences in growing the company that was founded by his father, Century Properties chairman Jose E.B. Antonio.

Robbie Antonio said that he started getting involved in the family business as early as 12 years old.

“Dinner conversations were about the family business. I was led to construction sites by my father with my three other siblings, who are also very much involved (now) in executing the vision that my father has,” he shared at the forum.

Antonio had his “baptism of fire” when he worked in the highly-competitive real estate business in New York. There, under the Antonio Development, he worked on acquiring an assemblage of property to develop the Centurion, a luxury apartment building on 56th Street between Fifth and Sixth avenues.

“New York City is probably the most complex real estate market in the world. We saw a site that we liked in the Plaza district, which was a sought after piece of land. Proving to the seller that it is a financeable deal and trying to outperform these very well entrenched developers was a challenging task,” he said.

Antonio knew he had to differentiate with other major towers even amongst the best location. He secured I.M. Pei, with Pei Partnership Architects, to design the Centurion. Pei’s first ground up condominium project in the world was completed in 2009.

He added, “I had to very entrepreneurial, learn the ropes of a new culture, meet the players, and compete against them.”

“The reason I did that (founding a development company in New York) was two-fold: I wanted to stay in the development business because that’s what I knew.  I also wanted to do something entrepreneurial and really prove to myself that I could do this and try to have my own ideas; inject my own creativity,” he added.

The US financial crisis hit during this time. Antonio said he knew right then, that it was a good time to go back to Manila.

He told the forum audience: “The Philippines is the fastest-growing economy in Southeast Asia. So I wanted to go back home and lead a professional management team and help my siblings and my father, and try to create an impact in the country.”

Exploring fresh avenues

Partnering with respected names in the real estate, architecture, and design fields is a strategy that the third Antonio scion and Century pursued to gain product differentiation from other established real estate companies. He believes that partnering with the experts will elevate living experiences for Century’s residential projects, and at the same time highlight the ability of Filipinos to execute global ambitions.

“Five years ago, I went to the board and earmarked our major differentiating points, predominantly to bring some important brands to development,” he shared. “I wanted to give that lifestyle that these luxury companies embody and that the end users are eager to have, and bring the West to the Far East.” 

He used his connections in the fashion, luxury, design and real estate world to do just that. One of the earlier partnerships that Century announced in 2010 was with Versace Home, for the amenity interior design of Milano Residences. The following year, Antonio got the nod of style icon and entrepreneur Paris Hilton to  design the Paris Beach Club, the key amenity of Azure Urban Resort Residences.

 More major brands followed. Century signed a licensing deal with the Trump organization for the residential building Trump Tower at Century City. In previous interviews the young Antonio related that he first met with Ivanka Trump, and worked for two years through site validation visits in Manila and business plan discussions before he finally closed the deal with Don Jr., Eric and Donald Trump.

Interior design partnerships were also forged with MissoniHome for Acqua Livingstone Residences, and with the iconic French designer Philippe Starck and British real estate entrepreneur John Hitchcox of yoo inspired by Starck for the Acqua Iguazu residences.

Century’s more recent collaborations are with Armani/Casa and the renowned architect Daniel Libeskind for the 60-storey residential-office building Century Spire; and with Forbes Media LLC, with which Robbie proposed the idea to build the first Forbes-branded building in the world—in Manila. Hence, the Forbes Media Tower at Century City, Makati was announced in late 2013.

Respecting the old guard

While Robbie underlined the importance of introducing new ideas in the forum, he likewise stressed the value of respecting the legacy and wisdom of his father, who started Century Properties in 1986 with just a handful of employees.

“I wake up every day reminding myself that I did not start this company, so I am very respectful of that… I am an employee. But I also want to innovate. I want to pioneer. I want game-changing ideas,” he said.

Antonio believes that it helps to have a very strong family support system.

“We see each other every day. Their presence and mentorship (are) there,” he said, referring to his father and three brothers who also hold key positions in the company.

Antonio believes that acknowledging the wisdom of one’s elders is vital in being in the family business.

“I think no matter how smart you think you are, there is one thing that you can’t expedite—and that is wisdom. So when you are not sure, go ask someone. This could be your father, a mentor or someone who has gone through that experience before. I inherited a company that has gone through four cycles. We have seen the booms and busts. You learn from those scars. If you are bruised, that is how you become a better person and a better manager. Thankfully, we learned a lot from that, and those experiences can be bestowed from one generation to another,” Antonio concluded.

—

Related Links:  About Robbie Antonio, Contact