7 must-know Filipina architects and interior designers

Another pioneer of sustainable design is the architect Liza Morales-Crespo, the creative director of Ecotecture Design Studio. Her projects range from 5-star hotels to luxury residential developments. She is one of the first Filipino architects to be given LEED accreditation by the US Green Building Council. She is a member of the American Institute of Architects and the United Architects of the Philippines. 

Morales-Crespo encourages more women to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams. In addition to her work in architecture, she designs accessories. She employs underprivileged and incarcerated women to make straw bags for a living through her work at the Tali Handmade enterprise. 

From a young age, the architect Christine Espinosa-Erlanda was fascinated by the architecture and design surrounding her. The buildings of Manila bore witness to a wide range of human experiences. Recognising erected structures’ power in shaping the future, Espinosa-Erlanda was sure this was the field she wanted to pursue.

Since then, she moved to Dubai and joined Powerlist’s 30 Most Influential Architects in the Middle East. She recently won TFT Architect of the Year for her creativity and resilience in championing women on the architectural scene. She is also a member of the Royal Institute of British Architects, United Architects of the Philippines, Women in Architecture Group, and Urban Sketchers Dubai. As a LEED Green Associate, she integrates green building strategies into each new project. 

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Immersed in both worlds of architecture and interior design is Isabelle Zuñiga-Ong Sitco. Growing up with an architect for a father meant a deep immersion in the creative process of building functional yet beautiful spaces. Her father encouraged her to study architecture before entering the interior design field. Having both knowledge bases would give her an undeniable advantage in future projects. 

Currently, Zuñiga-Ong Sitco heads the professional interior design company Iztilo Interiors. Her architectural background gives her an intuitive understanding of the limitations and opportunities in each space. On the other hand, her strong sense of aesthetic values guides her to curate a personalised space for each client. 

Grounded in an intuitive understanding of design principles, Raquel Florendo faces the future with excitement for the projects that lie ahead. As the vice chancellor for planning and development of UP Diliman, Florendo advocates for Filipino-centric design strategies. Her thirty years in the industry have made her an invaluable part of the design community. 

Florendo was raised by creative parents who were immersed in the fields of construction and design. In 2014, the Philippine Regulation Commission named her Outstanding Professional of the Year for Interior Design. In 2022, she was named the president of the Council of Interior Design Educators. In 2023, the Italian Embassy awarded her an award for interior design education. 

One of her main advocacies is improving the living spaces for underprivileged individuals and institutions. Two recent projects were Project Akbay, a space for street children, and “Tinig: Design that Speaks”, a renovation project of Bahay Bata 127. Florendo measures her professional success by the impact she has on improving the lives of her fellow countrymen.  

Over the past 15 years, interior designer Frances Camille Parado has been pursuing a design philosophy that evokes deep emotions in each person who enters the space. After graduating from the University of Santo Tomas in 2009, she became one of the youngest associates at the Palafox Associates architectural firm. During her time with the company, she oversaw numerous projects such as high-rise malls, luxury residences and resorts, healthcare facilities, and more.  

Currently, Parado serves as the president and CEO of GFP Interiors. Some of her most notable projects include Lucima by Arthaland and the award-winning Sofitel in Cebu. What sets Parado apart is her appreciation of the unique possibilities that each space holds. 

With forty years of experience in architecture and urban planning, the dean of the College of Architecture at the National University, Chona Ponce, has established herself as one of the country’s foremost architects. She has worked with the government on various projects and has been serving as dean since 2013. Over the past 11 years of leadership, she has grown the architecture programme from 300 students to 1,100 students in NU branches all over the country. She also serves as the head of the Philippine Schools of Architecture Association. 

One of her goals is to bring the architectural curriculum more firmly into the modern space. While she recognises the importance of a more traditional approach to learning, she believes that a contemporary approach will advance Filipino design in an unprecedented way. She seeks to work directly with the students, taking inspiration from their novel ideas and equipping them with the tools they need to bring their ideas to life. 

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