UST alumni-led architectural firms recognized at World Architecture Festival 2023

Two architectural firms led by UST alumni won at the World Architecture Festival 2023 held in Marina Bay Sands, Singapore on Nov. 29 to Dec. 1, 2023.

Buensalido + Architects, a firm owned by Architecture alumni architects Jason Buensalido and Nikki Boncan-Buensalido, was declared winner under the Ethics and Value Category (WAFX) for their project Pangasinan Barangay Centers. The same project was also recognized as Highly Commended under the Future Projects-Civic Category. The firm envisioned the project to be inspired by, designed by, and crafted by the local community, which hopefully creates a high sense of care and ownership towards the barangay centers. It is envisioned to be applied to all 140 barangays in the province, or even to over 42,000 barangays in the country.

Buensalido + Architects was established in 2006 with the commitment to introduce fresh, bold, and innovative concepts to the Philippine design setting.

Also recognized in the festival as Highly Commended was WTA Architecture & Design Studio’s Ferdinand E. Marcos (FEM) Stadium Project located in Laoag, Ilocos Norte. Under the Completed Building-Sport Category, the FEM Stadium is a 12,000 seater open stadium built as public social space for the people of Ilocos Norte.

WTA Architecture & Design Studio is owned by architect William Ti Jr., an alumnus from batch 2002. In 2020 and 2021, the firm was recognized as one of the Top 10 Architecture Firms by BCI Asia. Currently, his firm is ranked 96th in Building Design World Architecture 100 (WA100) 2023.