The Architect trio Emilio Dumatol, Ignacio Macrohon, and Franklin Almero.

Some 20 years back, 3 Filipinos – Graduated in Architecture at the University of Santo Tomas , Emilio Dumatol, Ignacio Macrohon, and Franklin Almero at the Mapua Institute of Technology, then moved to California where they worked with award winning firms specializing in high-end traditional architecture for celebrities and top 20 industry leaders.

In due time, they merged to form Studio Arkithetica and engaged in architecture, planning and urban design for very exclusive communities in California such as Newport Beach, Irvine, Crystal Cove, Ranch Santa Fe, and are in the process of putting together the Philippine Cultural Center in America in Irvine, among others.

Now Studio Arkithetica will launch their Philippine office (visit their website at studioarkithetica.com).. The launch will be held at the Makati Sports Club on September 16, from 5-7 pm. Top residential developers, real estate agents, and exclusive location land owners interested in a custom home are encouraged to attend this private event.

Dumatol, who is president and director of design, admits he has come a long way from his first years in California when he was wet behind the ears and a newbie with a leading firm, working in the homes of celebrities like Henry Mancini, Linda Rondstadt, Peter Strauss, Garry Shandling, Sly Stallone and Mel Brooks. For the past 20 years Studio Arkithetica continues to make its mark in California, as well as lend their designs to highly exclusive communities in Dubai, Egypt and China. STUDIO ARKITHETICA has worked in tandem and contributed to the works of other award-winning California firms such as EBTA, RHA, JZMK and P+R Architects.

Together with principals Macrohon and Almero, they have become experts in superior, authentic traditional design – Spanish colonial with a California flair, Early Hollywood, Italian Farmhouse, Santa Barbara Splendour, and Tuscal Revival. Dumatol says they want to pay it forward. “We have spent most of our lives creating not just beautiful homes, but selling an experience to industry giants in California, but now we also want to share what we do here, work with Filipino architects, and share what we know,” Dumatol says. Their Philippine office will be launched on September 16, from 5-7 pm at the Makati Sports Club. In Dubai, Egypt, and China, people would buy designs from firms in Orange County and then get local architects to build it in their own countries. STUDIO ARKITHETICA has contributed tremendously to the Orange County life style. “In fact, in China there is a village called Orange County. The Chinese love traditional California designs,” Dumatol says.

But in the Philippines, paying it forward would mean being present and mentoring Filipino architects as well as working with leading developers who are interested not just in a beautiful home but in a lifetime home experience.

“There’s no place like home,” Dumatol says. Studio Arkithetica has set up its Philippine office. Visit their website at studioarkithetica.com.