Palafox

05/08/2026

Join the PALAFOX Team!

Are you passionate about communications, marketing, and storytelling? We're looking for a Communications Intern to join our Makati office and gain hands-on experience in marketing, branding, business development, and strategic communications while working alongside architects, planners, engineers, and designers shaping the future of our cities.

If you're eager to learn, ready to grow, and excited to make an impact, we'd love to hear from you.

📩 Send your CV to [email protected] and [email protected].

05/08/2026

How can we build more resilient, livable, and globally competitive communities in an increasingly uncertain world?

In his latest column for The Manila Times, Arch. Felino "Jun" Palafox Jr. shares insights on the role of long-term planning, good governance, and sustainable development in shaping a better future for the Philippines.

Our sincere thanks to The Manila Times for providing a platform to advance these important conversations on nation-building.

Read the full article through the link below and join the discussion:
https://www.manilatimes.net/2026/08/05/opinion/columns/eyes-on-the-street-preventing-crime-through-natural-surveillance/2398167

NO matter where you go in Metro Manila, you will inevitably encounter a security guard — whether in the mall, in a restaurant, or even in the lobby of your own condo or apartment. Have you ever wondered why there are so many of them?

03/08/2026

Integrating People-First Design for Global Financial Hubs.

Today, we revisit one of our older projects showing how mega-scale urban planning can reshape even the world's dense financial districts into sustainable, human-centric environments. Our 2009 master plan for the King Abdullah Financial District in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, stands as a premier global benchmark for high-performance green urbanism.

Rather than relying on car-centric layouts, the development uses multi-modal connectivity and green microclimates to prove that massive corporate centers can maintain peak corporate efficiency while upholding deep ecological responsibility:

🌳 Eco-Zoning & Active Mobility: Pedestrian comfort is prioritized through a continuous network of linear parks, lush water gardens, and dedicated bicycle lanes. Pockets of greenery and extensive roof gardens are interspersed throughout the structures to counter the urban heat island effect.

🚝 High-Speed District Transit: An advanced monorail system directly connects all buildings and links to strategic points throughout the financial zone, ensuring seamless district accessibility without the need for private vehicular dependence.

🏢 Vertical Integration of Uses: To optimize land use, the district utilizes dense vertical zoning—layering retail centers, shopping plazas, and high-performance corporate offices on the lower floors, while placing luxurious residential units on the upper levels.

🏛️ Bioclimatic Facade & Interface Engineering: The building envelopes combine glass, concrete, and steel into heavily textured facades designed to look sophisticated while managing solar exposure. At the street level, grand, spacious arcades shade the ground floors to protect pedestrians from harsh climate conditions.

The King Abdullah Financial District serves as active proof that climate-conscious urban design can deliver an elite, healthy address for global enterprises while safeguarding regional environmental integrity.

Pro Deo, Patria, et Terra.

30/07/2026

Solving congestion requires better, more decentralized, and balanced development.

The Pampanga Megalopolis is envisioned as a countermagnet to Metro Manila—a network of interconnected metropolitan clusters designed to distribute growth, unlock regional potential, and create new centers of opportunity.

Anchored on four key districts (an Agropolis, Ecopolis, Aquapolis, and Aerotropolis), this master plan integrates food security, environmental stewardship, waterfront development, and airport-driven economic growth into one cohesive vision.

With strategic road networks, growth corridors, and an integrated mass transport system, Pampanga is positioned to become a globally competitive, walkable, bikeable, livable, smart, and resilient region—not just an extension of Metro Manila, but a destination in its own right.

Planning for the future requires decentralizing opportunities, one city at a time.

Pro Deo, Patria, et Terra.

29/07/2026

What does it take to build cities that are more resilient, livable, and future-ready?

In his latest column for The Manila Times, Arch. Felino "Jun" Palafox Jr. shares insights on the role of long-term planning, good governance, and sustainable development in shaping better communities.

We invite you to read the full article and join the conversation on building a better Philippines, one well-planned city at a time.

Full article here: https://www.manilatimes.net/2026/07/29/opinion/columns/accessibility-must-be-at-the-front-door-not-the-back-entrance/2393226

Thank you, The Manila Times, for providing a platform to advance these important discussions.

THERE are many things that we take for granted, and I believe that our bodies are one of them. We don’t think much about having 10 fingers, two hands, two eyes and all the appendages and organs that enable us to function in our day-to-day lives. However, able-bodiedness is a luxury not everyone is...

28/07/2026

Building a globally celebrated island paradise toward a future of rapid development does not have to come at the expense of its soul.

Let’s look back at the Siargao Island Master Plan in Surigao del Norte—a landmark blueprint for responsible island development commissioned by the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA).

Shifting away from standard mass tourism, the framework is meticulously engineered to prioritize authentic, nature-based experiences that carefully preserve the island's unique environmental integrity and "Siargaonon" cultural values.

To prevent concentrated urban sprawl, the strategic development distributes growth across eight distinct Tourism Management Areas (TMAs)—such as the iconic General Luna Surf Town, the Del Carmen Gateway & Innovation Hub, and the Socorro Bucas Grande area. Driven by five foundational pillars—Preserving the Environment, Providing Authentic Experiences, Enhancing Visitor Experience, Building Capabilities, and Sustainability & Resilience—the plan translates visionary planning into tangible, climate-responsive infrastructure.

This milestone project perfectly encapsulates PALAFOX’s core developmental philosophy: that world-class tourism should never dictate the destruction of natural landscapes, but must instead act as a shield for environmental and cultural stewardship.

By utilizing indigenous materials, respecting local contours, and establishing tropical architectural guidelines, the firm approached the master plan as an eco-conscious, multi-functional framework where biodiversity protection, climate resilience, and economic opportunity thrive in perfect harmony.

Today, the Siargao Island Master Plan stands as a definitive benchmark for island urbanism across the Philippines. It remains living proof that when we plan with deep ecological sensitivity, we can safeguard our most vulnerable coastal frontiers, creating a vibrant, future-ready community that surfers, residents, and nature enthusiasts can proudly inherit for generations to come.

Pro Deo, Patria, et Terra.

22/07/2026

Designing a global monument that channels national identity and places the Philippines on the map.

The Philippine Pavilion at Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan, stands as a visionary master plan engineered to echo the profound significance of patriotic architecture on the world stage.

Developed to sit prominently on an engaging corner lot, PALAFOX crafted five inspiring design proposals rooted in extensive collaboration across our architecture, interior design, and master planning teams.

Spanning from raw ideation sketches and 3D models to conceptual animation cinematics, the architectural DNA draws deep inspiration from the country's unique natural topography, colorful woven tapestries, rugged mountain forms, and iconic rice terraces. The structural framework beautifully organizes representative design layers for the three major island groups of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. It pairs an inviting exterior presence with an immersive interior exhibition space designed to guide visitors from all walks of life on a transformative journey through the nation's rich history, indigenous crafts, vibrant festivals, and thriving global impact.

This milestone project perfectly encapsulates PALAFOX’s core developmental philosophy: that architecture must transcend pure functionality to become an active form of patriotic architecture that celebrates culture, strengthens national identity, and inspires unity. Rather than merely generating standard commercial spaces, the firm approached the master plan as an educational and collaborative platform built to show how the Philippines will leverage its natural wonders and human capital to stand as a strong international partner in solving the complex global challenges of the 21st century.

Today, the Philippine Pavilion concept stands as an enduring benchmark for high-performance cultural exhibition spaces. It remains living proof that when we design with deep national pride and forward-looking innovation, we leave a lasting architectural legacy that inspires future generations to embrace their heritage and dream big.

Pro Deo, Patria, et Terra.

22/07/2026

We extend our sincere thanks to Philippine Star for featuring Arch. Felino "Jun" Palafox Jr. and for providing a platform to advance the conversation on visionary leadership, sustainable development, and nation-building through good planning and design.

At PALAFOX, we believe that shaping better communities begins with a clear vision—one that is guided by sustainability, resilience, heritage, and inclusive growth. Through thoughtful planning and purposeful architecture, we continue to work toward a more livable, globally competitive Philippines.

We invite you to read the full feature and join us in building a better future through design.

https://philstarproperty.com/news/2026/07/17/231243/planning-and-designing-cities-for-the-next-generation/

The Philippine STAR was born at a critical turning point...

20/07/2026

Designing a landmark of faith that serves as a beacon of cultural pride and identity.

As we continue our month-long anniversary celebration of PALAFOX’s local and international legacy, we look back at the Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Masjid in Cotabato City, Maguindanao—a monumental structure completed in 2008 that stands as the largest and most modern masjid in the Philippines.

Envisioned as a sanctuary for worship and community, the architectural design features four striking minarets soaring 40 meters high and fourteen magnificent golden domes that dramatically define the skyline. Inside the main worship center, the layout is meticulously organized into two sacred prayer rooms (haram); the grand primary room accommodates up to 1,000 worshippers, while the more intimate secondary room holds approximately 400. These sacred spaces are beautifully separated by intricate lattice work beneath an impressive eight-meter-high grand ceiling, leading the eye toward the mihrab directly fronting the main prayer room, oriented facing Mecca.

Bordering the core structure are two expansive courtyards (sahn) elegantly framed by gracefully arcaded hallways (riwaqs). This landmark project profoundly exemplifies PALAFOX’s core developmental philosophy: that architecture must deeply honor interfaith spirituality, local history, and the unique cultural heritage of a community.

Today, the Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Masjid stands as an enduring symbol of peace and cultural identity in Mindanao. By establishing an elite, world-class place of worship that celebrates the rich spiritual fabric of the region, the project continues to serve as an architectural treasure that future generations will be proud to inherit.

Pro Deo, Patria, et Terra.

17/07/2026

What does it mean to transform a neglected urban space into a vibrant community anchor?

Today, we look back at Fisher Mall in Quezon City: a dynamic five-story mixed-use development that completely revitalized a prominent piece of the city's history.

Constructed on the brownfield plot of the old Pantranco bus terminal, the site was underutilized for years before PALAFOX was commissioned by Mallers Investment, Inc. to execute a sweeping urban revitalization. Designed as a direct architectural homage to the client’s generational roots in the Philippine fishing industry, the modern, geometric structure breaks away from the traditional "closed-box" layout of older malls by intentionally integrating large glass facades and strategic entryways, flooding the building with natural light to reduce daylight energy consumption.

Inside, the programming seamlessly blends retail with a dedicated wellness ecosystem, state-of-the-art cinemas, and its crown jewel: the Fisher Supermarket, which offers fresh seafood directly supplied by the family's fishing vessels. To ease congestion along the heavy Quezon Avenue corridor, the architecture incorporates roughly 1,000 parking slots across three subterranean levels, leaving the street-level perimeter clear and safe for pedestrian traffic.

This milestone project beautifully illustrates PALAFOX’s core developmental philosophy: that commercial developments should not merely be profit centers, but must double as multi-functional landscapes that enhance community well-being and revitalize the urban fabric. Instead of contributing to urban sprawl, the project serves as an exemplary model of brownfield redevelopment—breathing new life into a dead zone to create an inclusive space where people can interact, rest, and gather.

Today, Fisher Mall stands as living proof that visionary commercial architecture can successfully balance private enterprise with highly responsible, community-centric design.

Pro Deo, Patria, et Terra.