In the design studio: Joyce Wang for Laurean Residences

Laurean Residences, the latest flagship project of Ayala Land Premier (ALP), is set to redefine the Makati skyline.

- REY ROBES ILAGAN

(Clockwise from above) Laurean Residences by Ayala Land Premier; pool lanai; leisure pool gazebo

Soon rising 65 stories along Dela Rosa Street, this crown-inspired tower signals a new chapter for ALP— one where design, heritage, and hospitality intersect to shape a more inspired way of city living.It is envisioned not just as a place to reside, but as a home that fosters meaning, identity, and a deeper connection to its surroundings. Positioned within the new Dela Rosa Gardens, the development benefits from Makati’s extensive network of elevated and underground walkways, seamlessly linking residents to cultural destinations, restaurants, and key lifestyle hubs.

Leading the creative direction for Laurean Residences is Joyce Wang, the globally acclaimed interior designer whose portfolio includes icons like The Berkeley in London, The Residences at Mandarin Oriental Bangkok, and Mott 32 in Cebu. For Laurean Residences, Wang turned to three unexpected muses—chess, aviation, fashion—to shape the project’s design DNA.

"There was a founder of Ayala Land who once compared development to a game of chess. One move leads to a bigger strategy. I found that so interesting — so we extracted that as a design language," Wang says.

Her exploration began with the discipline and geometry of the chessboard, expressed through order and intentional movement. This was paired with the spirit of aviation, a nod to the site’s history as an airfield and optimism of modern travel.