ARCHITECTURE IS ONE OF THE MOST UNIQUE VOCATIONS MAN HAS TAKEN ON.
It combines art and science, technique and talent, practicality and imagination. It is this conjunction of artistry and discipline that makes the men and women of this profession unique.
Throughout history, civilizations have been identified with their architectural achievements; and each achievement is invariably linked to its creator - the architect. Consequently, every piece of history, whether personal or collective, is genuinely bound to an architect’s vision, be it the functional and aesthetic designs of a temple, or the manipulation and coordination of material and environment in constructing a building, or the creative use of light and shadow in designing a home.
In this sense, each structure has its unique history; and a doorway, a window, even the smallest crack on the wall, will always have a story to tell.
GF & PARTNERS BUILDING
This 5-storey building located along H.V. dela Costa St. in Makati, used to house the offices of GFP Architects until 2011. It is a typical Gabby Formoso creation with key elements of Brutalism such as simplicity, rigid geometry, monochromatic palette, and use of raw exposed concrete.
GABRIEL P. FORMOSO, FOUNDING PARTNER
The word “architecture” originates from the Greek term arkhitekton, which etymologically means chief builder, carpenter or mason. Having built GFP Architects from scratch and formally organizing it in December 1973, Mr. Gabriel P. Formoso is veritably the arkhitekton of the firm.
Mr. Formoso started his practice in 1939, and is one of the first 100 licensed architects in the Philippines. Among the designs of Mr. Formoso are the highly acclaimed Asian Institute of Management Building, Doña Narcisa Building, Central Bank of the Philippines Building Complex in Roxas Boulevard, Manila, the BA-Lepanto Building in Paseo de Roxas, Makati City, and the Manila Garden Hotel (Now Dusit Thani), the Peninsula Manila and the Regent of Manila.
In October 1990, the United Architects of the Philippines (UAP) conferred on Mr. Formoso the Likha Award, the highest distinction that the UAP can bestow on any of its fellows. Describing Mr. Formoso’s preference for “masculine looking rubble walls and bold-lined fascias,” the UAP praised his “unique style for fine suburban homes,” and shared in his creations “a pride in architectural symmetry, elegance and beauty.”
Mr. Formoso also received the 1979 Outstanding Architect of the Year Award from the Professional Regulation Commission, the 1977 Patnubay ng Kalinangan Award from the Commission on Arts and Culture, the 1974 Most Outstanding Alumnus Award from his alma mater, the University of Sto. Tomas and an Honorary Life-Time Individual Membership from the Architectural Center Club, Inc.
Mr. Formoso instilled in GF & Partners the values and ideals that make it what it is today - a professional and specialized organization where advancement is based on merit, ability and tested competence. Thus, despite his death in December 1996, GF & Partners remains one of the biggest architectural firms in the country. Apart from the professional independence, objectivity, creativity and innovation of its architects, GF & Partners has the distinction of being one of a handful of architectural firms in the country to have survived and sustained its business after the death of its founding partner.
In this respect, Mr. Formoso’s contributions to the field of architecture are twofold - structures with enduring architectural quality, and a professional organization with enduring values.
Row 1 (Left to Right): Augusto G. Iral (Partner), Severino C. Villarama (Partner), Rodolfo V. Lameyra (Partner), Ricardo S. Dela Rosa, Jr. (Partner), Jose M. Mendoza (Partner), Angel E. Sancho Nakpil (Partner)
Row 2 (Left to Right): Jaime C. Marquez (Partner), Susana S. Castillo (Partner), Gabriel P. Formoso (Managing Partner)
Ms. Lina A. Quijano
CREATION OF GABRIEL FORMOSO AND PARTNERS: NOW GFP Architects
On December 20, 1973, Arch. Formoso transformed the single proprietorship practice to a professional partnership by organizing, incorporating and registering Gabriel Formoso and Partners with the Securities and Exchange Commission with the following as founding partners: Mr. Gabriel P. Formoso as the Managing Partner, Ms. Susana S. Castillo, Mr. Jaime C. Marquez, Mr. Ricardo S. dela Rosa, Jr., Mr. Severino C. Villarama, and Mr. Rodolfo V. Lameyra.
Mr. Formoso chose his partners on the basis of merit, and in recognition of their honesty, dedication, fortitude, strength of character, design acumen, and uncompromising standards for quality of work. All of them were home-grown associates and rose through the ranks.
Except for Mr. Angel E. Sancho Nakpil who was invited to the partnership, Messrs. Jose Mendoza, Augusto G. Iral, and Teodoro H. Narciso were associates and made partner at a later date. Ms. Lina A. Quijano, the firm’s comptroller, was made Principal.
Through the years, associates were elevated to partner status for manifesting the same virtues.
In 1990, the firm's name was changed to GF & Partners Architects, Co.
GFP Architects contributes to mankind through merit, tested competence, and proven ability, which are evident in the history and progression of Philippine architecture. These established contributions include the Asian Institute of Management, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Main Building Complex, the Manila Peninsula, and the Regent of Manila.
Formed through trust in ability and belief in strong virtues, GFP Architects aim to create a positive impact in one's daily life. Mr. Formoso built professional partnerships that laid the groundwork for collaborative practices that GFP would exemplify in the decades to come. The extensive variety of residential, hospitality, commercial, institutional, business and corporate, and mixed use developments, are designed to cater to the quality of human experience and incorporate meticulously curated visual aesthetics into the life of its work.
By collectively cultivating analytical power, flexible creativity, and a visualized dream of innovation in its people, GFP Architects remains loyal to its commitment to evident merit and determination to quality in its work.
World Architecture Top 100
GFP Architects has consistently maintained a place in the Building Design magazine’s list of top global architectural practices — a recognition it gives out annually to around 100 firms across the world.
Global Network
Listed as an APEC (Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation) and ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) architect.
Passion for Quality
Registered to ISO 9001: 2015 Quality Management Standards of the International Organization for Standardization.
Partners for Sustainable Design
GFP Architects is a member of the Philippine Green Building Council (PHILGBC), and is home to a multitude of Certified BERDE Professionals (CBP).
Leadership
“I’ve been with GFP Architects for over 40 years and have grown tremendously with the firm. I’m a very hands-on mentor and quite detail-oriented, if I do say so myself.
I enrich my practice and gain new perspectives by immersing myself in other related arts such as graphic design, performance art, painting, and music.”
Managing Partner
“My passion for illustration initially sparked my interest in architecture. My experience through the years as an architect has enabled me to become an effective design manager.
I believe that my ability to balance professional work with civic and social responsibilities that elevate architecture as a profession can serve as an inspiration for aspiring architects within the firm.”
Partner
“GFP Architects pretty much runs as well as its time management. I like to regularly circle back on the project requirements and then talk about how my team can deliver in the shortest possible time without compromising on accuracy and quality.”
Partner
Associates
Gener DL Liwanag
Junior Partner
Jocelyn Socorro C. Antonio
Senior Associate
Angela Q. Mesina
Senior Associate
Jonathan-Mari L. Reyes
Senior Associate
Rogerio R. Canlas Jr.
Associate
Christian Rey T. Domingo
Associate
Listed in BCI Asia's top 10 architecture firms in the Philippines for 2005, 2008-2010, 2014, 2016, & 2019.
Discover how we’ve shaped the Philippine skyline