Budji Layug

Budji Layug is known for pioneering Filipino design, first gaining recognition in the 1970s when his bamboo chairs were sold at Bloomingdale’s in New York. He built on this early success by expanding his expertise through trade expositions, especially with the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM).

Layug’s design philosophy blends function and flow to enhance the spaces he creates. His evolving style is captured in his 2019 coffee table book, BUDJI: Design Journey, a four-year project showcasing his extensive portfolio and his vision of tropical, resort-like environments.

Alongside furniture design, Layug expresses his creativity through painting, a passion he has pursued since 2004. He exhibited his art at Manila House and the B&B Italia Showroom during the pandemic. In 2023, he debuted his first solo exhibition, Enter the Dreamscape, at León Gallery, describing it as a personal exploration beyond client directives.

In 2024, Layug achieved a standout project with a seaside getaway home southwest of Manila, expertly designed to highlight panoramic views while blending elegance with accessibility for his clients.