WTA Architecture and Design Studio

WTA Architecture and Design Studio is a company in the Philippines that focuses on architecture, urban planning, interior design, and research. It is based in Manila and was started in 2007 by architect William Ti Jr. The firm has worked on many projects, such as residential buildings, town developments, stadiums, sports facilities, and many more.^[1][2][3]

WTA focuses on a concept called "Social Architecture". This idea aims to change how architecture serves society by creating spaces that are inclusive and connected to the community.^[4][5]

History

WTA Architect and Design Studio was started by architect William Ti Jr. in 2007. It is a company from the Philippines with offices in Manila, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong.^[6] WTA focuses on creating architecture that has a positive impact on society and meaningful urban spaces. WTA's first project was Robinsons Place Bacolod Central Citywalk. After that, the firm worked on redeveloping an old textile mill in Meycauayan, Bulacan.^[7]

WTA also gained international recognition with its "Fragments" exhibit at the 2014, Venice Architecture Biennale, which helped the firm reach beyond the Philippines.^[8]

In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, WTA created Emergency Quarantine Facilities (EQF) to provide quick healthcare solutions. In the same year, the firm opened its first office outside the Philippines.^{[9][10][11][12]} In 2024, WTA grew by acquiring Plaza and Partners, which improved its ability to design sports facilities, homes, and hotels. ^[13]

Notable Projects

In 2014, WTA design the headquarters for Bounty Fresh, a major poultry supplier in the Philippines.^{[14][15][16][17]}

The Book Stop Intramuros Project is a pop-up library created in 2015 by WTA Architects, led by William Ti and Beverly Locsin.^[18][19]

In 2023, WTA Architecture and Design Studio designed The Marcos Stadium (Ferdinand E. Marcos Memorial Stadium) which is a Football and track stadium. It has a seating capacity of 12,000.^[20][21]

In 2020, WTA Architecture designing sixteen-storey residential Twelve Luxury Flats.^[22][23]

WTA was also the master planner behind the Horizon Manila project, a 419-hectare reclamation development in Manila Bay. The project aims to create 28 communities that promote a healthy work-life balance, integrating residential and commercial spaces.^[24][25][26]

In January 2024, WTA Architecture and Design Studio worked on the Passing River Esplanade Rehabilitation project, which aims to restore the Passing River. This project focuses on making the river a center for economic activity and tourism.^[27]

Award

In 2015, WTA was shortlisted in World Architecture Festival Awards for Future Projects urban block.^[28][29]

In 2021, WTA received the Overall Project of the Year award at the World Architecture Festival WAFX Prize for its creative work.^[30][31] In the same year they entered the Building Design World Architecture Top 100^[32]

In 2021, WTA was shortlisted World Architecture Festival for the best design in Emergency Quarantine Facility.^[33][34]

In 2022, WTA Architecture and Design Studio was awarded Golden winner of the Urban Design & Architecture Design Awards for Horizon Manila.^[25] In the same year they won the NCCA Ani ng Dangal Award.^[35]

In 2023, WTA is the Day 1 World Architecture Festival winners for 2023.^[36][37][38] In the same year they again won the NCCA Ani ng Dangal Award (for masterplan of the Batangas Forest City).^[39]

In 2024, WTA Architecture and Design Studio was recognised BCI Asia Top 10 Architects in the Philippines.^[40][41]

References

1. "William Ti On Building Legacy Not Just Beautiful Architecture". bluprint-onemega.com. 2021-07-02. Retrieved 2024-11-14.
2. "Award-winning Architectural Design Firm | Luxury Residences, Condominium Towers, Skyscrapers Philippines". www.filbuild.com. Retrieved 2024-11-14.
3. O'Neal, Bridget (2015-02-06). "Filipino Architects at WTA Studios Present Stunning 3D Presentation of Manila's Growth". 3DPrint.com | The Voice of 3D Printing / Additive Manufacturing. Retrieved 2024-11-14.
4. "These 3 internationally recognized projects embody social architecture". bluprint-onemega.com. 2018-07-27. Retrieved 2024-11-14.
5. "WTA Architecture and Design Studio". Archello. Retrieved 2024-11-14.
6. "William T. Ti Jr". Zak World of Façades. Retrieved 2024-11-14.
7. "Robinsons Citywalk Bacolod by WTA Design Studio". Architizer. 2024-08-08. Retrieved 2024-11-14.
8. "Manila in Fragments WTA Architecture and Design Studio in La Biennale 2014". Retrieved 2024-11-14.
9. "Manila-Based Architecture Firm Designs Temporary Quarantine Facilities | 2020-04-03 | Architectural Record". www.architecturalrecord.com. Retrieved 2024-11-14.
10. "The Best of the Best: Here's the Shortlist for Construction Story of the Year". www.theb1m.com. Retrieved 2024-11-14.
11. world, STIR. "Manila-based architecture firm WTA designs Emergency Quarantine Facilities". www.stirworld.com. Retrieved 2024-11-14.
12. "Emergency Quarantine Facilities | Exhibition". Design for the Common Good (DCG). Retrieved 2024-11-14.
13. "Architecture by Rebecca Plaza | Manila, Philippines | Plaza + Partners". Plaza and Partners. Retrieved 2024-11-14.
14. "Inoza Center by WTA Design Studio". Architizer. 2016-05-19. Retrieved 2024-11-14.
15. "Inoza Tower Building Presentation". SlideShare. 2015-07-22. Retrieved 2024-11-14.
16. "Inoza Tower Building Presentation". SlideShare. 2015-07-22. Retrieved 2024-11-14.
17. "Office Projects | WTA". WTA Design Studio. Retrieved 2024-11-14.
18. "Book Stop Project Intramuros | Intramuros Administration". Retrieved 2024-11-14.
19. "The Book Stop Project - Winner - Architecture - German Design Award". www.german-design-award.com. Retrieved 2024-11-14.
20. "Ferdinand E. Marcos Stadium / WTA Architecture and Design Studio". ArchDaily. 2024-10-08. Retrieved 2024-11-14.
21. WTA (2024-10-08). "geometric facade wraps stadium by WTA design studio, reflecting traditional ilocano fabric". designboom | architecture & design magazine. Retrieved 2024-11-14.
22. "Twelve Luxury Flats by WTA Design Studio". Architizer. 2016-05-19. Retrieved 2024-11-14.
23. "Twelve Luxry Flats | WTA Architecture and Design Studio". Archello. Retrieved 2024-11-14.
24. Abanes, Mariel. "A Sneak Peek At Manileño: The City Of Tomorrow". Metro Style. Retrieved 2020-10-23.
25. APR (2022-05-01). "Gold Winner | Horizon Manila | WTA Architecture and Design Studio". Retrieved 2024-11-14.
26. "2022 International Architecture Awards Winners Announced". ArchDaily. 2022-09-01. Retrieved 2024-11-14.
27. "Revitalizing the Pasig River to Transform Manila's Social Fabric | BluPrint". bluprint-onemega.com. 2024-02-01. Retrieved 2024-11-14.
28. "World Building of the Year 2015 shortlist announced". Dezeen. 2015-06-22. Retrieved 2024-11-14.
29. "Shortlist Announced for World Architecture Festival Awards 2015". ArchDaily. 2015-06-22. Retrieved 2024-11-14.
30. "WTA's Horizon Manila is the Overall Winner of the 2021 WAFX Award". bluprint-onemega.com. 2021-12-11. Retrieved 2024-11-14.
31. Jr, Ar William Ti (2021-12-14). "Horizon Manila: WTA Architecture and Design Studio Winner 2021 WAFX Award". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 2024-11-14.
32. "WA100 2021: The big list". Building Design. Retrieved 2024-11-14.
33. "WAF announces 2021 shortlist unveiling best designed buildings and landscapes from around the world". worldarchitecture.org. Retrieved 2024-11-14.
34. "World Architecture Festival 2021 Shortlist Unveiled". ArchDaily. 2021-07-30. Retrieved 2024-11-14.
35. Purnell, Kristofer. "NCCA dishes out 33 awards for 15th Ani ng Dangal". Philstar.com. Retrieved 2024-11-14.
36. "World Architecture Festival announces Day 1 winners for 2023". worldarchitecture.org. Retrieved 2024-11-14.
37. Metropolis. "World Architecture Festival 2024 - WINNERS 2023". worldarchitecturefestival.com. Retrieved 2024-11-14.
38. "World Architecture Festival 2023 – Day One Winners of International Architectural Awards Announced - World Architecture Festival (WAF)". www.v2com-newswire.com. Retrieved 2024-11-14.
39. Kasingsing, Mel Patrick (2023-02-22). "Almarios, Fores, Yulo, and Ti Harvest Honors at the NCCA's 15th Ani ng Dangal Awards". Kanto - Creative Corners. Retrieved 2024-11-14.
40. [e-mail] (2024-10-15). "BCIAA Top 10 Architects in Philippines 2024". BCI Central. Retrieved 2024-11-14.
41. TEAM, Property Report PH (2024-10-03). "BCI celebrates the best in Philippine architecture, building, and design industries". Property Report. Retrieved 2024-11-14.