VCDC Founder Victor Consunji emphasizes the value of living closely to nature

Would you trust a chef that does not taste their own food? Or a designer that does not wear their own clothes. The answer, more often than not, is no. It’s a simple guide helping us consumers find where to best spend our money. After all, if the creators themselves don’t use what they’re selling, why should we?

And with regard to finding a new home—while the relationship between the developer and the structure is normally a non-factor—it’s reassuring to know that even they would live there.

According to VCDC Founder Victor Consunji, referring to their latest project, VIE at Southern Plains:

“VIE was designed so that I would live in it. I would feel comfortable putting myself or my family members in that product. Other people have ideas of what they want. And so we create products that allow you to express those preferences.”

Consunji adds, describing the most rewarding thing about finishing a project such as this, “It’s seeing the families go in and be happy with their lives. I am, I think, unusual among our peers of developers, I actually do live in our developments. I literally see the kids who were born while they were living in these developments, roaming the streets around.”

The clubhouse at VIE at Southern Plains | Photo courtesy of JT Fernandez

VIE at Southern Plains is a gated community co-developed by the Victor Consunji Development Corporation (VCDC) that is located at the borders of Cabuyao-Calamba, Laguna.

An oasis away from the metro, nature lies at the forefront of VIE. Each home presents a convergence of exterior and interior elements, where the natural world harmoniously coexists with the comforts of modern living. From natural light to fresh ventilation, staying at home is akin to a day spent at island paradise.

VIE at Southern Plains also offers four different varieties of homes to choose from: Ivy, Sage, Stella, and Harper.

In an exclusive interview with Consunji, he explains to us the ethos behind VCDC’s latest.

Nature at the forefront

dining room at a vie home — The dining area of a Sage home at VIE at Southern Plains | Photo courtesy of JT Fernandez

Understanding the fact that living in the city has deprived most of us of a connection to the natural world, Consunji believes that it is important to integrate nature into our daily lives.

He explains, “It’s the single, most lacking element of living inside your typical city situation. Everybody inherently understands how good it feels to be in an environment that is less stressful and less artificial. And so, we found an opportunity in VIE, to provide all the advantages of living in the city, while still being connected to society, but at the same time, being more in touch with what feels natural.”

outdoor space of a vie home — Natural light, ventilation, and greenery converge inside VIE at Southern Plains | Photo courtesy of JT Fernandez

However, despite the spotlight placed on nature, Consunji maintains that it is not their sole focus. After all, as community developers, they’re selling homes and not plants.

“VIE is an emergent brand and concept—you have to understand—we are the atypical developer. Many focus on the macro level side of development. With high-rise developers, they focus on the building, the amenities, and the lobby. As an atypical developer, our priority is not any of that. Our number one primary focus is the home. At the end of the day, our clients, are homeowners.”

“Our number one primary focus is the home. At the end of the day, our clients, are homeowners.”

A home for life

roofdeck of a vie home — VIE at Southern Plains offers resort living within the comforts of your home | Photo courtesy of JT Fernandez

It’s often said that a home is not necessarily the place you reside in, but the people you’re with. While true, it is also a fact that time has shown us that the perfect residence is also just as important. Beyond VIE and evident even with VCDC’s other projects, their communities are built with longevity and future-proofing in mind. Consunji, delving deeper into the ethos behind their every action, explains:

“We like to think of ourselves as people who provide products for life. When you say life, we’re not necessarily just talking about who you are today—that includes your past, present, and future. When we design our homes, we give you flexibility, whether it’s the ability to modify our products or the fact that the homes are built so that you can grow into them.”

And with nurturing a home, stability, and security hold the utmost importance. “We don’t like to be like hermit crabs where you always have to outgrow your home,” he adds.

“When we design our homes, we give you flexibility, whether it’s the ability to modify our products or the fact that the homes are built so that you can grow into them.”

natural light floods a vie home — Natural life is no longer reserved for the outdoors | Photo courtesy of JT Fernandez

As earlier mentioned, each home at VIE at Southern Plains can be retrofitted to suit your every need—a tailored approach rather than a cookie-cutter product. Consuji elaborates on this feature that is available to every VIE homeowner:

“Each house has what we call a universal frame. This skeleton has nothing inside, no excess baggage so to speak. What you have is the home’s personality wrapped around it—this is the part where customer collaboration happens. What we created is a product where you can basically decide how you want to live. In that way, we can tackle all walks of life.”

The essence of a home

work life is made easier in vie — The demands of daily life will remain, but with surroundings that refresh, trudging through each day can be made a little better and a little easier | Photo courtesy of JT Fernandez

Beyond the technicalities, and the engineering and architectural know-how, he is essentially in the business of making homes. And Consunji has seemingly injected his very perception of what a home ought to be into VIE.

“Before, I used to say that a home is where you feel most comfortable at. It is the place that you retreat to at the end of the day. I realized that this is not exactly true. Now I say a home is where you can be yourself. A home is where you have the ability to express your personality. And whether that’s with your family or by yourself, it is where you feel the most comfortable and the most real.”

“A home is where you have the ability to express your personality. And whether that’s with your family or by yourself, it is where you feel the most comfortable and the most real.”

A promise of a life beyond what we’ve gotten used to in the metro, Consunji shares what he envisions living inside VIE at Southern Plains would be like:

“I envision it to be productive, but not stressful. The city is unusually stressful. Nobody acknowledges it, but it’s true. You come out of your unit and you’re already stressed. Everything’s very fast-paced. All we’ve done is take away the markers that make it stressful. The connectivity is still there. You can still get everything done. We’ve simply made it so that it’s like an oasis of peace. That’s really the point—take yourself away from the concrete jungle and put yourself back into what is real nature and real life.”

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For more information about VIE, you may visit viebyvcdc.com, contact 8856-2497, email [email protected], and check them out on Facebook and Instagram.