8 Best Architecture and Design Firms in the Philippines

Philippine architecture is caught between the East and the West, with American, Spanish and Japanese colonial occupation rapidly transforming its built environment. Many architects were influenced by the country’s intercultural identity. Most notably, the national Artist for Architecture, Leandro Locsin, was known for his distinct style, crafting masterpieces like the Cultural Center of The Philippines.

During the 1920s, architect Juan Nakpil paved the way for environmentally conscious construction techniques. He utilized bamboo as a locally sourced component for his designs instead of relying on imported materials such as stone and brick. Conversely, cities like Makati or Manila have now been transformed into bustling urban centers, filled with high-rise structures incorporating solar framing and rainwater collection systems, thus responding to the challenging tropical climate. Filipino architects have reveled in the country’s intercultural, diverse nature. By creating new “assemblies” between architectural typologies and practices, they are constantly progressing the country’s built environment without sacrificing its cultural heritage.

With so many architecture firms, it’s challenging for clients to identify the industry leaders that will be an ideal fit for their project needs. Fortunately, Architizer is able to provide guidance on the top design firms in the Philippines based on more than a decade of data and industry knowledge.

How are these architecture firms ranked?

The following ranking has been created according to key statistics demonstrating each firm’s architectural excellence level. The following metrics have been accumulated to establish each architecture firm’s ranking in order of priority:

• The number of A+Awards won (2013 to 2025)
• The number of A+Awards finalists (2013 to 2025)
• The number of projects selected as “Project of the Day” (2009 to 2025)
• The number of projects selected as “Featured Project” (2009 to 2025)
• The number of projects uploaded to Architizer (2009 to 2025)

The foot of this article explains each of these metrics in more detail. This ranking list will be updated annually, taking into account the new achievements of Philippine architecture firms throughout the year.

Without further ado, here are the 8 best architecture firms in the Philippines:

8. hearthgroup

We provide residential and commercial architectural design services to families and business people.

Some of hearthgroup’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped hearthgroup achieve 8th place in the 8 Best Architecture Firms in the Philippines:

7. Jorge Yulo Architects and Associates

Since its inception, JYAA has accumulated a few hundred projects of various types, from high-rises to luxury residences. The company survived the Asian Financial crisis by fortifying its interior design services, which currently make up a sizeable portion of its portfolio.

JYAA is an efficiently sized architectural firm that offers Comprehensive Design Services from Concept/Schematic Design to Construction/Coordination/Supervision. The company is affiliated with select technical consulting firms to support the comprehensive technical services offered.

Some of Jorge Yulo Architects and Associates’ most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Jorge Yulo Architects and Associates achieve 7th place in the 8 Best Architecture Firms in the Philippines:

6. DST Design + Build

We are a new breed of individuals from different fields who are very passionate about the fields of architecture, interior design, furniture and landscaping.

We strive to modernize Filipino architecture and interior design and harmonize all other design elements. Moreover, the firm remains steadfast in its advocacy to adapt principles and dynamics of building green. At DST Design Lab, we generally work on the key concept of creating quality avant-garde architectural + design and workmanship. We aim to design and build high-quality and world-renowned projects that will put Filipino architecture in the forefront.

Some of DST Design + Build’s most prominent projects include:

• “𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗘 𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗦𝗘” (Multi Level Residential house), San Mateo, Philippines
• ”𝗨𝗡𝗙𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗦𝗛𝗘𝗗 𝗕𝗔𝗦𝗞𝗘𝗧” (BOUTIQUE RESORT COMPLEX), San Mateo, Philippines
• 𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗻 𝗡𝗶𝗽𝗮 𝗛𝘂𝘁 (𝗕𝗮𝗵𝗮𝘆 𝗞𝘂𝗯𝗼) 2 Storey ”Family Villa”, San Mateo, Philippines
• 𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗻 𝗡𝗶𝗽𝗮 𝗛𝘂𝘁 (𝗕𝗮𝗵𝗮𝘆 𝗞𝘂𝗯𝗼) 2 Storey Villa ”Honeymooners”, San Mateo, Philippines
• ”𝗕𝗔𝗛𝗔𝗬 𝗡𝗔 𝗕𝗔𝗧𝗢” 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗪𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝟮 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘆 𝗩𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗮, San Mateo, Philippines

The following statistics helped DST Design + Build achieve 6th place in the 8 Best Architecture Firms in the Philippines:

5. DEQA Design Collaborative

We create impactful sensory experience ecosystems that use the power of design to inspire and innovate our everyday. We are a design partner for ambitious clients and bold businesses. DEQA designs through our ideas, objects, places, buildings, and communities. We focus on research-driven, human-centric, and sustainably concentrated design.

In our practice, we integrate planning, architecture, interior design, product design, and branding to maximize interdisciplinary cross-pollination. We design at all scales, from the micro to the macro, in powers of 10 to create value and innovation. Our process is highly collaborative. We work closely with our clients to understand their visions, values, and needs. DEQA Design Collaborative was formerly known as DDC Architectural Studio.

Some of DEQA Design Collaborative’s most prominent projects include:

• Rizal Eco Center, Rizal, Calabarzon, Philippines
• Hyve, Taguig, Philippines
• Hyphy’s, Pasig City, Philippines
• Contemporary Museum of Art and Design Competition Entry, Taguig, Philippines
• Vyne, Taguig, Philippines

The following statistics helped DEQA Design Collaborative (formerly DDC Architectural Studio) achieve 5th place in the 8 Best Architecture Firms in the Philippines:

4. LLG Architects Design Studio

LLG Architects is a Cebu-based interdisciplinary design firm that practices architecture and interior architecture. The firm strongly believes that form coexists with function, that one should not do without the other to be able to achieve that perfect harmony of aesthetics and functionality.

The firm, established over 12 years ago, is led by the dynamic husband and wife team, Architects Lendel and Leizle Go, who are also the principal architects of the fir.a Their vast experience in their respective practices propelled them to establish LLG Architects Design Studio with a clear vision to holistically approach every design challenge through story-telling, attention to detail, and client-centric service.

Some of LLG Architects Design Studio’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped LLG Architects Design Studio achieve 4th place in the 8 Best Architecture Firms in the Philippines:

3. Jim Caumeron Design

Manila-based architectural design firm with projects focusing mainly on residential architecture.

Some of Jim Caumeron Design’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Jim Caumeron Design achieve 3rd place in the 8 Best Architecture Firms in the Philippines:

2. TJSO ARCHITECTS

Arch. T. Jordan Ong graduated B.S. in Architecture from the College of Architecture and Fine Arts (Now College of Architecture) at the University of Santo Tomas. He has worked in various reputable architectural firms and has always risen among the top key employees. He has handled hundreds of residential and high-rise projects in one of his previous firms, where he worked as department head for construction. But having the drive and passion to pursue his goal, he humbly started his own practice in the summer of 2007. He has since expanded his portfolio, designing various projects ranging from high-end residential projects, townhouses, mid-rise buildings, high rise buildings, restaurants and commercial buildings. He embraced the modern minimalist style, which shows in all his works, but has added his own style in the process.

Some of TJSO ARCHITECTS’ most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped TJSO ARCHITECTS achieve 2nd place in the 8 Best Architecture Firms in the Philippines:

1. WTA Design Studio

We believe in and socially relevant practice architecture. Architecture that relates to the community promotes urbanity and develops society. We are curators and proponents of the urban realm, and we are in the business of creating places. Places that live and breathe. Places that are a critical part of people’s lives and play a vital role in defining their sense of self and community.

Our studio is a place of ideas and possibilities. A place where design and architecture create new and exciting opportunities for our clients and the communities we serve.

Some of WTA Design Studio’s most prominent projects include:

• The Book Stop, Manila, Philippines
• El Museo del Prado En Filipinas, Manila, Philippines
• The Oriental Legazpi, Legazpi City, Philippines
• The Oriental Leyte, Tacloban City, Philippines
• New Taipei Museum of Art, Taipei, Taiwan

The following statistics helped WTA Design Studio achieve 1st place in the 8 Best Architecture Firms in the Philippines:

Why Should I Trust Architizer’s Ranking?

With over 30,000 architecture firms and over 130,000 projects within its database, Architizer is proud to host the world’s largest online community of architects and building product manufacturers. Its celebrated A+Awards program is also the largest celebration of architecture and building products, with more than 400 jurors and hundreds of thousands of public votes helping to recognize the world’s best architecture each year.

Architizer also powers firm directories for a number of AIA (American Institute of Architects) Chapters nationwide, including the official directory of architecture firms for AIA New York.

An example of a project page on Architizer with Project Award Badges highlighted

A Guide to Project Awards

The blue “+” badge denotes that a project has won a prestigious A+Award as described above. Hovering over the badge reveals details of the award, including award category, year, and whether the project won the jury or popular choice award.

The orange Project of the Day and yellow Featured Project badges are awarded by Architizer’s Editorial team, and are selected based on a number of factors. The following factors increase a project’s likelihood of being featured or awarded Project of the Day status:

• Project completed within the last 3 years
• A well written, concise project description of at least 3 paragraphs
• Architectural design with a high level of both functional and aesthetic value
• High quality, in focus photographs
• At least 8 photographs of both the interior and exterior of the building
• Inclusion of architectural drawings and renderings
• Inclusion of construction photographs

There are 7 Projects of the Day each week and a further 31 Featured Projects. Each Project of the Day is published on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram Stories, while each Featured Project is published on Facebook. Each Project of the Day also features in Architizer’s Weekly Projects Newsletter and shared with 170,000 subscribers.

We’re constantly look for the world’s best architects to join our community. If you would like to understand more about this ranking list and learn how your firm can achieve a presence on it, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at editorial@architizer.com.