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Draft:WTA Architecture + Design Studio

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  • Comment: Just blatant advertising, totally unsuitable. Theroadislong (talk) 08:12, 9 October 2024 (UTC)

WTA Architecture + Design Studio

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WTA Architecture + Design Studio[1] is a global architecture, urban planning and design, interior design, and research firm headquartered in Manila, Philippines. Founded in 2007 by architect William Ti Jr., the firm has become one of the most prominent design practices in the Asia-Pacific region.[2] WTA has completed dozens of projects, including residential towers, townships, stadiums, sports facilities, hospitals, offices, hotels, and cultural institutions.

Overview

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The firm is committed to redefining the role of architecture in society through the philosophy of “Social Architecture.” This approach creates inclusive, engaging, and localized spaces, prioritizing community well-being and accessibility over monumental and isolated designs.

Social Architecture aims to create spaces responsive to social needs and foster community interaction. It challenges traditional architectural norms that prioritize aesthetics and grandeur over inclusivity and utility. Social Architecture proposes breaking down barriers and making public spaces truly public by designing localized micro-institutions that are accessible, barrier-free, and embedded into daily life. WTA's approach is rooted in three core principles:

  1. Engagement: Creating architecture that reaches out to people, making cultural and civic institutions as accessible as daily necessities.
  2. Inclusivity: Designing spaces that serve everyone, especially the underserved and marginalized, without intimidating or excluding anyone.
  3. Locality: Establishing networks of small, localized institutions that collectively impact urban environments, much like the historical roles of barangay halls and chapels in Filipino communities.

History

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WTA Architecture and Design Studio was founded in 2007 by William Ti Jr. to create architecture beyond aesthetics, foster a more profound social impact, and cultivate meaningful urban environments. The firm began its journey with the guiding principle of “Design. Refine. Define,” symbolizing its commitment to a purposeful and iterative design process that questions and challenges conventional practices, producing innovative and context-responsive solutions.[3]

The studio’s first project, Robinsons Place Bacolod Central Citywalk[4], set the tone for its emphasis on narrative-driven and research-based design. This project was followed by several significant undertakings, including redeveloping an old textile mill in Meycauayan, Bulacan, marking the firm’s first venture into master planning. These early projects established WTA’s reputation for creating functional and meaningful architecture, laying the foundation for its distinctive design philosophy known as Social Architecture.[5]

Social Architecture focuses on designing spaces that are inclusive, engaging, and accessible to the community. The philosophy gained recognition through the Book Stop Project in 2016, a self-funded mobile library initiative that reimagined public spaces as interactive learning hubs, making literature accessible to diverse communities across the Philippines.

WTA’s rise to international prominence began with its participation in the 2014 Venice Architecture Biennale with an exhibit called “Fragments,” which introduced the firm’s work to a global audience. In 2020, the firm’s commitment to social responsibility and innovation was further demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic through its Emergency Quarantine Facilities (EQF), which provided rapid, scalable solutions to healthcare challenges across the Philippines and abroad.[6]

Recognizing the need for global expansion, WTA established its first overseas office in Hong Kong in 2020, followed by a second office in Shenzhen, China, extending its influence beyond Southeast Asia. This expansion allowed WTA to engage with new markets and collaborate on larger-scale projects, contributing to its growing international presence. In 2021, WTA cemented its standing as a design practice capable of competing at the highest international levels by winning the Overall Project of the Year at the World Architecture Festival WAFx Prize.[7]

In January 2024, WTA achieved a significant milestone by acquiring Plaza and Partners, a boutique architecture firm known for its sports, residential, and hospitality design expertise.[8] The acquisition brought Rebecca Plaza as Managing Director, further strengthening WTA’s leadership team and broadening its capabilities across various sectors.

WTA is recognized as one of the leading design practices in the Philippines and continues to expand its reach across Asia and beyond. The firm is committed to creating meaningful and socially impactful architecture that addresses communities' evolving needs and contributes to global architectural discourse.

Awards

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WTA Architecture and Design Studio

William Ti, Jr.

Marcos Stadium

Horizon Manila

Twelve Luxury Flats

Garden City

Emergency Quarantine Facilities

The East Grid

  • Architectural Conceptual Design Contest for the Diliman Property (PSALM) (2019)

El Museo Del Prado Filipinas

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas

Catbalogan City Hall

Batangas Forest City

Chapel of St. Benedict and St. Scholastica

One Mall Valenzuela

Courtyard City

  • Xuanxi North Competition Beijing Shortlist (2016)

The Urban Block

Sousveillance

  • Archstoyanie Competition Moscow Winner (2013)

Vauxhall Kinection

  • Vauxhall Missing Link Competition, Shortlist (2013)

Book Stop Project

Notable Projects

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References

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  1. ^ "WTA Design Studio | Top Architecture Firm in the Philippines". WTA Design Studio. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
  2. ^ "WTA Architecture & Design Studio | APEA - Asia Pacific Enterprise Awards". 2019-11-22. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
  3. ^ "William T. Ti Jr". Zak World of Façades. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
  4. ^ "Robinsons Citywalk Bacolod by WTA Design Studio". Architizer. 2024-08-08. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
  5. ^ "William Ti On Building Legacy Not Just Beautiful Architecture". bluprint-onemega.com. 2021-07-02. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
  6. ^ "Manila-Based Architecture Firm Designs Temporary Quarantine Facilities | 2020-04-03 | Architectural Record". www.architecturalrecord.com. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
  7. ^ "WTA's Horizon Manila is the Overall Winner of the 2021 WAFX Award". bluprint-onemega.com. 2021-12-11. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
  8. ^ "Architecture by Rebecca Plaza | Manila, Philippines | Plaza + Partners". Plaza and Partners. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
  9. ^ "Twelve Luxry Flats | WTA Architecture and Design Studio". Archello. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
  10. ^ "Office Projects | WTA". WTA Design Studio. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
  11. ^ "WTA Design 60 Emergency Quarantine Facilities to Fight COVID-19". ArchDaily. 2020-04-14. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
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