Top Architectural Firms in The Philippines

Top Architectural Firms in the
Philippines
While architectural firms face some of the bigger challenges in local real estate in terms of
competition, several have managed to stand out and lead the industry in design both locally
and internationally
While certain limits apply to foreign investment and ownership of real estate in the
Philippines, fewer restrictions apply to the architectural firms tasked in its design and
development. This makes it a little more challenging for local firms to contribute and
subsequently benefit from the industry’s slow but steady growth of around 6 percent per
year.
Despite the competition, a number of locally based architectural firms have managed to
stand out and be locally and globally competitive. These firms continue to be recognized by
BCI Media Group, a leading provider of building and construction information across the
Asia–Pacific region, based on the aggregate value of each project during the prior full
calendar year weighted by the extent of their sustainability and confirmed green building
ratings.
While several have made the list since the awards’ inception in 2005, a couple of firms have
stood out by constantly making the list, and upon scrutiny of the projects they complete,
makes it easy to understand why.
1. AIDEA Philippines, Inc.
An architectural firm that originated in England in 1995 but ultimately evolved into an all-
Filipino firm by 2003, AIDEA is one of the Philippines largest design practices and has been
included in BCI Media Group’s Top 10 Architectural Firms for the last three consecutive
years, and ranked 62 among the WA (World Architecture) 100 for 2015.
Recent projects by AIDEA include the Ascott Residences, Kidzania Philippines, High Street
South Corporate Plaza Tower 2, and Woodside Greentown Twin Towers, among others. The
project it has recently gotten the most acclaim for has been the Globe Tower in Bonifacio
Global City, as it is now one of the most praised and desired office buildings in Metro
Manila.
Globe Tower. Photo via

AIDEA Philippines
2. ASYA Design Partner
Asya Design Partner has constantly been in BCI’s Top 10 architectural firms since the
recognition started being awarded in 2005. Headed by Architect Albert Yu, the firm is widely
recognized for its holistic services that help owners develop properties from the ground up.
ASYA is also the only local firm with its very own 12-story Platinum-certified green office
building.
Working with as many as 65 developers so far, ASYA has completed design for a bevy of
structures both locally and abroad. The most recognizable include the Mactan-Cebu
International Airport, the Fo Guang Shan Temple in Malate, and the City of Dreams Manila.
City of Dreams. Photo via Shutterstock

3. Edward Co Tan & Architects
With a passion for sustainability, Edward Co Tan & Architects (ECTA) has established itself
among the top architectural firms in the Philippines by embracing advancements and
methodologies that complement the systems developed by environmental institutions like
the Philippine Green Building Council (PhilGBC), the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC),
and the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).
A five-time entrant in the BCI Top 10, ECTA continues to embark on several high-profile
projects in the country, bringing as much of their commitment to sustainability as possible
to each one. Some of the most recognizable projects of the firm include the cylindrical Del
Rosario Building in BGC, The Sanctuarium in Quezon City, and the upcoming World Hotel
and Residences in Quezon City.
The Sancturium. Photo via
ECT Architects
4. Jonathan O. Gan + Associates
Known in the industry for institutional architecture projects like the Xavier School Sports
Complex in Manila and the Southville Foreign College in Las Piñas, Jonathan O. Gan +
Associates has been a BCI Asia Top 10 awardee on numerous occasions. The firm’s other
projects like the A. Venue Mall and Jonathan O. Gan + Associates have gone as far as be
featured in the award-giving body’s magazine.
The firm’s more recent projects include the Chimes Condominiums in Greenhills, Robinsons
Tagum in the Tagum City, and the Midori Clark & Casino in Mabalacat, Pampanga. The
project in Pampanga is one of great anticipation, as it is set to stand in a city classifies as
the new business frontier.
5. Jose Siao Ling & Associates
Established in 1983 with only three office staff in San Juan City, Jose Siao Ling &
Associates exemplifies building something from the ground up. Fast forward to more than
three decades, and the architectural firm stands as one of the most decorated in the
country. The firm has been in the BCI Asia Top 10 eight times, with members of the firm
recognized as top ASEAN or APEC Architects.
Undoubtedly, the most recognizable project designed by the firm is the Mall of Asia Arena,
the leading venue for large-scale events in the Philippines. Notable residential projects
embarked on by the firm on the other hand include Luxe Residences in Taguig, and H Hotel
by Harolds in both Cebu and in Quezon City.
Mall of Asia Arena. Photo via Jose Siao Ling & Associates
6. Pimentel Rodriguez Simbulan & Partners
An architectural firm founded by three partners who had great success as sole proprietors,
Pimentel Rodriguez Simbulan & Partners is the team behind a number of very recognizable
structures in Metro Manila and the Philippines. These include the series of Ayala Life–FGU
Centers in Makati, Alabang, and Cebu.
Some of the more recent projects that the multi-awarded firm has designed and will soon
change the Metro Manila skyline include Edades Tower and Garden Villas in Rockwell
Center, Shang Salcedo Place in Makati, and The Grove by Rockwell in Pasig City, among
others.
7. R. Villarosa Architects Partner & Associates
Established in 1972 and grown into a partnership with personnel of over 40 individuals, R.
Villarosa Architects Partner & Associates is one of the most established and experienced
architectural firms in the Philippines. The firm had been in the BCI Asia Top 10 for the
Philippines for the past three consecutive years, and is the team behind the Gramercy
Residences, the Philippines’ tallest residential towers. R. Villarosa Architects’ current
projects Acqua Private Residences, a six-tower residential condo project by Century
Properties.
Acqua Private Residences. Photo courtesy Century Properties

8. Visionary Architecture, Inc.
Established in 2001, Visionary Architecture is one of the younger architectural firms in the
Philippines, but in a short span of time, the firm has established itself as one of the best in
the industry, being recognized with several awards and being the key design team in a
number of high-profile projects.
Its projects include the Circuit Events Pavilion in Circuit Makati, Xavier School in Bonifacio
Global City, and Avida Towers Serin East in Tagaytay. Perhaps the biggest projects of the
firm to date are several projects/sections of Arca South in Taguig, a sprawling mixed-use
estate currently being developed by Ayala Land.
Co
ncept for Arca South by Visionary Architecture, Inc.
9. WTA Architecture + Design Studio
Cited for the first time in 2015 by BCI Asia for its Top 10 in the Philippines, WTA
Architecture + Design Studio markets itself as a “multidisciplinary group of young and
idealistic architects and interior designers, and urban planners and engineers.” Established
in 2007, the firm has made large strides in a short time, resulting in their receipt of the
Archstoyanie Nikola’s Belvedere First Prize.
While sporting a comparatively smaller project portfolio, WTA is already behind a handful of
notable structures that in the Philippines. This includes Portal Mall along Ongpin Street in
Binondo, Manila, The One Mall in Valenzuela City, and the upcoming Inoza Tower in
Bonifacio Global City.
Concept
art for Inoza Center by WTA Architecture + Design Studio
10. H1 Architecture and Design
While a new inclusion in the BCI Asia Top 10, H1 Architecture and Design is already a well-
established full-service architecture, master-planning, urban design, and interior architecture
firm. The group has one of the largest portfolios of high-profile projects in the country, a
testament to the trust it has earned from investors and property owners.
H1’s key projects include Fora Mall in Tagaytay, Parkway Corporate Center in Alabang,
Soltana Nature Residence in Cebu, Panglao Oasis in Taguig, and Six Senses Resort in Pasay
City, among numerous others.
Six Senses Resort. Photo via

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What are some of the challenges faced by architectural firms in the Philippines?

Which firm originated in England but became fully Filipino?

Top Architectural Firms in the

1. AIDEA Philippines, Inc.

Globe Tower. Photo via

City of Dreams. Photo via Shutterstock

5. Jose Siao Ling & Associates

7. R. Villarosa Architects Partner & Associates

Acqua Private Residences. Photo courtesy Century Properties

Six Senses Resort. Photo via

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