The prototypes of cuboid houses made by Industrial Designer Gil Bien can be found in Malilipot, Albay where the designer hails from.
Bien says it was in 2020 when he started this project after the non-renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise where he was working as production, stage and set designer. In the same year, a strong typhoon hit Bicol.
“Natouch ako, isang padre de pamiilya nirerecover niya ang yero sa ilalim ng putik sa mud, butas butas nung ini-interview siya umiiyak siya, ganun kasakit ang nangyari sa kanya”, recalls Bien.
Bicol region is prone to typhoon which leaves a lot of damage to houses and infrastructures and yet we have the same type of houses according to him, “Palaging binabagyo kami pero parang di nagbabago ang solusyon yung porma ng bahay paano kaya magisip ng bahay na iiwas siya or di apektado ng bagyo, paano namin maiimprove na di compromised ang design pero able siya magwithstand ng malakas na bagyo”.
He studied the airflow and made a test on how the wind was hitting the flat surface versus the concave surface. In his study, it can be seen that the stress on the wall of a concave surface was not too strong. This is why he came out with his design which he calls cuboid houses.
The cuboid houses which are now patented, currently has two models.
The studio-type high-ceiling Alexander is the basic model which measures 48 square meters. It has a bathroom and can be upgraded depending on the client’s preference.
Brianna which measures 36 square meters is the higher end model. It has two bedrooms, living room, bathroom and kitchen. Just like the basic model, it has a vent which makes the temperature cooler inside the house. The interior finishing is beautifully done.
The price of these cuboid houses starts at Php1.8 million.
“Sa una nangarap akong gumawa ng bahay,malakas na bahay na below 500 thousand, ang nagawa ko lang po isa, nakagawa ako ng malakas na bahay, yun po ang reyalidad eh so kung gagawa ka ng matatag na bahay kailangan na i-comply mo yung materyales mo, huwag mo i-compromise, in the long run pipili ka ng materyales na masisira din, papalit palit ka yung oras mo tapos yung materyales na nasira ganun din po mas makakatipid ka, mas lesser ang maintenance kasi maraming nawala na components na di naman kailangan”, Bien concludes.
