DELA TORRE, GLYRAH MARIE S.

ARCH592 – R2
REACTION PAPER

On Tuesday, February 21, a group of Cebu Institute of Technology - University

architecture students visited Archiglobal Inc., a top design firm situated at Wireless Plaza,
WHS No. 1 Cebu Landmark Plaza, Mandaue City, 6014 Cebu. As shared by Ar. Iñaki M.
Diaz de Vera, the marketing head and the one who introduced us about the design firm,
Archigloba Inc. (AGI) is a corporate company and the workplace of 67 employees of an
architectural design firm created by the firm's employees themselves. He added that the
principal architect of Archiglobal Inc., is Ar. Michael P. Torres. The firm was then
introduced to us, stating that it was founded in Cebu in July 2008 and has a wealth of
experience in mixed-use developments, residential, and communities, condominiums,
office towers, commercial and retail establishments, hotels, and resorts, and institutional
buildings. In addition, Archiglobal Inc. is a 100% BIM company, setting it apart from other
architectural firms. The firm also won numerous awards in design competitions, including
the best medium architectural firm in the Loop Design Awards, top 10 Philippine
architectural firms for 2022, and the Philippines Property Awards.

As one of the architecture students that visited the firm, I can speak from
experience and can attest to how great it was to see it for oneself. As soon as we entered
the firm’s premises, we were greeted by the high ceiling, the lobby, and the reception
area. The collaborative meeting rooms that are scattered throughout the production and
lobby areas greet us as soon as we enter the lobby. The office’s mezzanine floor is
supported by container van modules, which serves as the highlight of their firm, partially
de-walled to give access continuity between them. Without having to dig for foundation
work or use expensive structural metal, mounting the mezzanine floor with container vans
was a better and more cost-effective solution. The primary access stair leads to the
mezzanine level and contains bleacher seats. The area was once a paint warehouse,
according to what was told to us. It was designed and renovated to become among the
Philippines' most opulent and distinctive architectural workplaces.
 When we were almost complete, Ar. Iñaki took us into their conference room and
gave us a little background of how Archiglobal Inc. began as a design firm. We were given
a tour of the spaces inside their firm by one of their regular employees, Ar. Chooks, who
accompanied us for the entirety of the office tour and provided us with information about
how the staff is divided into teams that work on various projects to make their work
efficient and fast since one of the firm's qualities is having a fast-paced work environment.
Ar. Chooks took us first to the workspaces of their employees and apprentices. She led
us after to the mezzanine, which is where their workspace is located and where the
majority of the rendering and landscaping design processes take place. We were then
escorted to their cafeteria for the final part of the tour, and as a token of appreciation for
visiting their firm, they provided us food and refreshments.

Together with Ar. Iñaki, we took a group photo to round up the segment at the
bleacher seating in their lobby. Although fewer architectural students than expected were
able to visit on that day due to conflicts with preliminary exams, we are very appreciative
of Archiglobal Inc. for accommodating us. It was a wonderful experience for me as one of
the architecture students who went to the firm. After knowing more about the firm, I came
to understand that the reason Archiglobal Inc. is still one of the top architectural firms in
the locality is because they firmly adhere to their principles and have the foresight to
pursue their goals as a design firm. As stated in their motto, “We LEAD in all endeavors
– when we DESIGN and when we fulfill our tasks. We pursue our PASSION for creating
excellence ARCHITECTURE in the work that we do.” The firm was able to help me
understand what architecture really is in the real world. The firm’s significant growth over
the years, their office's design and layout, the efficiency of their work, and their high
aspirations were all truly amazing and awe-inspiring. Being able to tour and learn more
about one of the best design firms in the locality as well as one of the humblest groups of
people and architects in the world was a very phenomenal experience for us fifth-year
architecture students.
 Group photo with Ar. Iñaki

In the conference room with Ar. Chooks

 Office Tour with Ar. Chooks

Archiglobal Inc. Office Interior Spaces