Leading Architectural Firms

by Ronel Forbes

April 20, 2022

Contemporary Philippine architecture celebrates its varied inspirations and recognizes the particular needs of Filipinos all around the country, with an architectural concept that tends towards modernity, innovation, and history.

In Philippine architecture, beauty and functionality are two qualities that always go hand in hand, and the country’s growth has motivated many architectural firms to stand out.

There is no set formula for compiling our ranking of the best companies in the Philippines. Rather, we looked at how they reacted to how the country and the rest of the world were changing.

For example, the country’s biggest enterprises are seeking to build more earthquake-resistant structures, employing age-old techniques such as the “Earthquake Baroque,” which gained popularity under Spanish rule.

More architects are concentrating on various site restorations, sustainability, and technological advancements, particularly in historic cities. These are the following architectural firms in the Philippines.

Aidea

Aidea Philippines, Inc., a multi-award-winning architectural practice, was founded in 1995 in England. They transformed into a corporation with all-Filipino talent in 2003.

Aidea is one of the country’s largest and most successful firms, having won numerous accolades, including the BCI Top 10 Architectural Firms in the Philippines. Their most notable success is being ranked 86th in the BD World Architecture Top 100, which makes them the only Philippine firm to make the list.

This exceptional organization specializes in a wide range of specialties and provides custom-designed solutions to its clients in order to attain maximum efficiency.

Projects

BGC’s Globe Tower

Services/Specializations:

Residential
Transport
Retail
Commercial
Industrial
Healthcare
Hospitality

Asya Design Collaborator

Asya Design Partner, another firm that has been named one of BCI’s Top 10 Architectural Firms every year since 2005, is noted for its expertise and customized service, as well as its low costs.

This firm, led by Architect Albert Yu, has a highly strong portfolio, including both local and international work.

Asya wants to be known as a company that is on the cutting edge of incorporating design into the surroundings. It is also the first firm in the country to have a Platinum-certified green office building with a 12-story structure. The area is more than 20,000 square meters.

They’re truly one of the greatest, with 25 years of expertise and over 1,000 projects completed across Asia.

Projects:

Dreamland is a fictional city in the United States.
Cebu’s Robinsons Galleria
Residence for Jazz

Services/Specializations:

Residential
Transport
Retail
Commercial
Industrial
Healthcare
Hospitality

Casas + Architects, Inc.

Carmelo T. Casas and Jose Pedro C. Recio started this firm after both gaining expertise at a major architectural firm in Hong Kong. In 1990, the two began working together on a creative project.

The remarkable modern perspective of this multidisciplinary organization is what sets it apart. They excel at master planning and achieving architectural ambitions in all of their projects.

Their track record speaks for itself, with a diverse portfolio that includes hospitals, residential condominiums, commercial assets, and industrial complexes.

Projects:

Salcedo Park is a park in the city of Salcedo
Studio of ABS-CBN Broadcasting
In Makati, the Pacific Plaza Tower is the tallest building in the city

Services/Specializations:

Offices
Institutional
Mixed-use property
Residential
Commercial
Hospitality

FSL & Associates, Co.

Felix S. Lim established FSL & Associates, Co. It’s no surprise that this architectural firm is regarded as one of the best in the country, with over 700,000 square meters of completed projects.

This firm is guided by the belief that architecture is an art form that satisfies people’s expressive and practical needs. They work as designers to balance the conservatism of institutional institutions with the dynamism of the modern-day.

FSL & Associates, Co.’s work may be seen on the Metro Manila skyline, thanks to architects like Patrick Jefferson Lim and Don Fendi Li, as well as a team of outstanding designers.

Projects:

Podium Mall is a shopping mall located in the city of
Quezon City’s Eton Cyberpod Centris
Ortigas Center’s BDO Tower

Services/Specializations:

Offices
Commercial
Residential

Choosing the Right Architect for Your Project: Some Pointers

Choosing the correct architect for your home or building is a significant job. Here are some considerations that can assist you in making the best selection possible.

1. Experience

When an architect or business has greater industry expertise, you can put your trust in them and feel more at ease entrusting them with your project.

It’s a clue that they know what they’re doing if they’ve accomplished a number of successful projects in the past. If you employ an architect with no past expertise, you may run into blockages or a steep learning curve, which may cause your project to be delayed and cost you more money.

2. Communication

You can’t choose an architect only based on their website or portfolio. To determine how well they communicate, you must have a one-on-one conversation with them. Architects must be able to dispel any reservations you may have regarding the project and answer any questions you may have.

You can also debate their design approach, team members, project length, cost, and work technique, among other things, during the discussion stage.

3. Personal involvement

Your input is one of the most important parts of the project’s success. What is the architect’s or firm’s expectation of you?

Most architects want their clients to be actively involved in the project, but some prefer a more hands-off approach so that they may focus on their creative abilities.

4. Location

Working from home has gotten more convenient over time. Face-to-face meetings, on the other hand, are unrivaled, especially when it comes to large projects. Choose a local architect as much as feasible. Site visits and meetings will be easier to schedule this way.

Final Thoughts

The architect’s services are a good financial investment, not an extra cost to your project. Why?

Because a well-thought-out project can be built more quickly and cost-effectively. Architects collaborate with you to plan your project. Changes to your ideas can be made on paper far more affordably than they can be changed later when the building is underway. The contractor will be able to estimate and build your project more correctly if you have detailed blueprints.

Because energy-efficient structures can help you save money on your fuel expenses in the long run. An architect can design a structure to maximize solar heating and allow natural light in, lowering your heating, cooling, and energy expenditures over time.