The intelligent design
in Hong Kong for 18 years, we are very much at home doing overseas projects especially around the Asian region.”
Since the start of Casas+Architects in 2008, the rm has done projects in China for Filipino developers including those in Shanghai, Nanjing and Xiamen. They act as the foreign design consultant and work with local Chinese design institutes. The rm has maintained an a liate o ce in Hong Kong under registered name, Casas+Architects, Ltd. where Arch. Joseph Sy of Joseph Sy & Associates serves as their partner.
While Casas+Architects’ projects are mostly focused on the Philippine market, it is also starting to prepare for further expansion of its services among other ASEAN nations scheduled in 2015. “This practice provides us with a ‘sense of ownership’ for the projects whether we are the author of design or we ful ll the role of the Architect of Record. As the latter, we evaluate the viability of the design given our local conditions and regulatory requirements, which makes our role as critical and relevant as the author of design,” Casas says.
He reveals, “This means that Filipino architects can practice our professions and offer our services to other Asian countries and vice versa. Recently, we have been receiving requests for proposals from Netherlands, Taiwan and Korea for local and international projects. We are ready to serve these global requirements. I believe in the Filipino architects and engineers’ talent and professionalism. We are world-class and can compete with the best.”
LOOKING AHEAD
From the time Casas set up his own rm, it has always been part of his mission to give back to the community and contribute to the country’s nation building. Given that Casas+Architects has already accomplished a lot in the last few years, Casas is now starting to envision a masterpiece of altruistic ingenuity. He says, “I’m starting to look into ways on how we can pay back or contribute to nation building. This is my dream project now.”
He continues, “For example, there’s a calling for me to start doing projects for the greater good of our countrymen. I heard the Philippines has a backlog of more than a million classrooms. I wish to look into this and use our resources. Another clamor is to develop mass housing for the urban poor. If only we can develop from scratch, architecture designs developing prototypes built economically but aesthetically and structurally sound, and work with the leaders of the business and government organizations to help our country face these challenges.”
The rm is now also working on a scholarship program tied up with the University of Santo Tomas. They are committed to sponsoring two students a year coming from the poorest of the poor and from the province to study Architecture in the College of Architecture at UST. This has driven them to put up the CTC Foundation, Inc. which will be the vehicle that they will use in their community initiatives.
For Casas and the rest of his team, the role of an architect is not only de ned by the edi ces and huge landmarks that they design. More than 20 years that he has been in the business, he continues to permeate a solid culture in his rm. Aside from creative passion, for him, “Sincerity will show in your work and discipline to provide professional services; no shortcuts. It’s all hard work; we are a service- oriented company.”
But this service is not only provided to clients. More importantly, he says, “Always work for the glory of God and country.”