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Designing for harmony

• 5 min. read

A conversation with Jessica Sy of SMDC on creating communities that grow with you

In an industry where most housing developments tend to look—and feel—the same, Symphony Homes is carving out its own space. Quietly rising in Mabalacat, Pampanga, this house-and-lot community by SMDC stands out for its thoughtful planning and approach to community living. It leans into something more lasting: design that feels intuitive, familiar, and ready to evolve with the people who call it home.

Jessica Sy, SMDC’s VP and Head of Design, Innovation, and Strategy, shares what “designing for harmony” means in the context of Filipino living—and how Symphony Homes is setting a new standard for thoughtful, future-ready communities.

Q: What was the core design thinking behind Symphony Homes?

 

Jessica “Jica” Sy: We wanted to design for how Filipino families really live—not just now, but five or ten years from now. That meant creating homes that are flexible, expandable, and connected to the people around them.

So instead of long rows of identical houses, we designed in clusters of six to feel more human in scale. Each house has a 3-meter setback, so it can grow with the family—maybe you’ll add a room, maybe a bigger kitchen. The community is laid out with green lanes and shared spaces that encourage casual interaction without sacrificing privacy. It’s about making daily life easier, not more performative.

 

Clubhouse

Q: What does “designing for harmony” mean to you and your team?

 

Jica: It means every part of the environment—natural, built, and social—works in balance. The houses aren’t just homes; they are part of a larger rhythm: the layout, the parks, the walkways, even the shophouses—they all contribute to a community that flows together.

We worked with the land, preserved natural elements where we could, and designed green spaces that serve as both breathing space and gathering points. Even the trees we used reference towns in Pampanga. For us, harmony isn’t just about how it looks—it’s about how it works. Everything should feel natural, easy, and intuitive over time.

 

Townhouse

Q: A lot of subdivisions make the same promises—green spaces, amenities. What did you deliberately avoid?

 

Jica: We avoided the standard layout of perimeter lots and dense rows of units. It may be efficient, but it doesn’t feel good to live in. We also didn’t want a “driveway-to-door” kind of community where everyone keeps to themselves.

 

Instead, we focused on walkability, safe clusters, and shared green areas that encourage people to be outdoors, on foot, and in tune with the environment. We also included shophouses in key locations, so residents can get essentials or even run small businesses without leaving the community.

 

Gazebo

Q: There’s a growing demand for pet-friendly and work-from-home features. How did you respond to that?

 

Jica: We paid close attention to how people’s routines changed over the past few years. A lot of families now have pets, so we added a paw park. With more people working from home, we built a co-working lounge within the main clubhouse.

It’s making sure they’re usable and well-placed. We also built a fitness gym, indoor playroom, game room, and a covered basketball court, so people can stay active and connected year-round—even during rainy days.

 

Garden

Q: How do you make the homes themselves feel ready for real life?

 

Jica: We designed with adaptability in mind. Homeowners can customize based on their needs—maybe they want a home office, maybe an extra bedroom later on. There are electrical provisions for future expansions, and the layout brings in natural light, so the house feels open, not boxed in.

Even small details like the canopied front area were intentional. It’s a space where you can have coffee in the morning or sit in the afternoon while your kids play outside. It’s not grand—but it’s real.

 

Gym

Q: How do you make the homes themselves feel ready for real life?

 

Jica: We designed with adaptability in mind. Homeowners can customize based on their needs—maybe they want a home office, maybe an extra bedroom later on. There are electrical provisions for future expansions, and the layout brings in natural light, so the house feels open, not boxed in.

Even small details like the canopied front area were intentional. It’s a space where you can have coffee in the morning or sit in the afternoon while your kids play outside. It’s not grand—but it’s real.

 

Q: You mentioned green spaces. What’s different about how you approached them here?

 

Jica: We didn’t just add parks—we connected them. The entire development has a contiguous green network, so you’re never too far from a shaded path or an open space.

We also went beyond legal requirements for open areas, using a mix of native and flowering species to create a space that feels alive year-round. Some planting decisions were even tied to climate resiliency—like how we addressed stormwater drainage using nature-based solutions. That’s part of harmony too: letting nature do its work.

 

Game room

Q: What kind of lifestyle do you hope this community supports?

 

Jica: A grounded one. You wake up. Your kids can bike safely outside. You walk to the nearby shophouse for bread. Maybe you work from the lounge or join a neighbor for a game of basketball. It’s not aspirational—it’s just a good life, made easier by thoughtful design. After all, we know we are designing for real life.

 

Daycare

Q: If there’s one thing you hope residents feel once they move in, what is it?

 

Jica: That their home doesn’t just fit their life today—but grows with them tomorrow. That every space has a purpose, and every detail, a thought behind it. And that when they step outside, they don’t just see houses—they feel a sense of belonging. A real neighborhood. A place that finally feels like home.

Symphony Homes by SMDC is located in Mabalacat, Pampanga—offering two-storey townhouses, single-attached homes, and shophouses within a master-planned, walkable, and future-ready community.