Taylor Swift and the demand for MICE facilities in the Philippines, plus more stories

For PropertyGuru’s news roundup, a surge in construction of MICE facilities in the Philippines, thanks to Taylor Swift. In other headlines, a list of the top residential areas for fitness enthusiasts in Dubai. And lastly, a conversation with Beijing-based architect Zhu Pei.

Taylor Swift and the insatiable appetite for MICE facilities in the Philippines

The return of in-person events has been fueling the demand for MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions) facilities across the Philippines. There’s no doubt that developers are cashing in on this gargantuan need for massive convention centres. The strong take-up for this sub-segment should also be buoyed by the rise in foreign tourists, including business travellers.

Filipino Swifties will be glad to welcome and hear Taylor Swift live in the Philippines. The clamour to eventually host the multi-awarded performer has been compelling property firms to build massive convention centres that can accommodate Taylor’s fans.

BusinessWorld reports that developers are also trying to capture demand from business travellers who want to convene in person. Already, there are plans to develop a massive convention centre within Villar City, while the government has announced its plan to build the PHP18 billion (USD314 million) New Philippine International Exhibition Center, which will have 108,000 square meters of exhibition/event space and host up to 150,000 attendees. Once completed, it will become the largest exhibition venue in Southeast Asia. It’s go big or go home for MICE development in the Philippines.

Top residential areas for fitness enthusiasts in Dubai

It’s easy for anyone to lead an active lifestyle in Dubai. From ladies-only gyms to fitness centres dedicated to popular workout programmes like spin classes, yoga and more — the city offers a plethora of facilities for residents to stay fit. If you are a fitness enthusiast planning to move homes in the emirate, many areas with well-developed sports and fitness facilities can be of benefit. MyBayut presents a list of the top areas for fitness enthusiasts in Dubai.

“I let architecture be deeply rooted in a specific culture”: In conversation with Zhu Pei

“This is going to be amazing! I feel so excited,” says Zhu Pei in ArchDaily about his now under-construction Majiayao Ruins Museum and Observatory in Lintao, Gansu province. The Beijing-based architect designed his building like a deeply embedded cavernous space evoking a giant fragment of ancient pottery, resembling an archaeological site from the Neolithic Age discovered here a century ago. The building is so unusual that it cannot be described in common architectural terms. For example, a vast cast-in-place concrete hyperbolic shell lies prone on the ground, blocking the cold wind from the northwest in winter. The architect used the sand and gravel from the local Tao River to produce a special rough concrete with horizontal scratches on the surface, symbolizing the traces of thousands of years of erosion.

All of Zhu’s buildings are quite remarkable. Yet, despite their novelties, they are rooted in culture, nature, and climate. They are designed based on his architectural philosophy, Architecture of Nature, articulated in five fundamental points: incomplete integrity, sponge architecture, cave and nest, sitting posture, and structure and form.

The Property Report editors wrote this article. For more information, email: [email protected].