PXP Design Workshop, the Manila-based architecture studio founded by Spencer Sy and Patrick Espiritu, approaches each project with a simple premise: buildings should improve the way people live. Known for modern residences that weave nature into daily life, the firm has spent the past several years translating that philosophy into homes across the Philippines, from forest-edge sites in Antipolo to compact lots in Metro Manila.
Roots in Model-Making and Visual Art
As children, both founders were drawn to making things. Sy built scale models obsessively, fascinated by how structures came together. Espiritu leaned toward drawing and painting, inspired early on by Caravaggio’s layered compositions. Their parents nudged them toward architecture, a choice that gave them shared training but distinct strengths. “Ever since the start, Pat has leaned toward design, while I’m more interested in the technical side,” Sy said in 2026. “We have clear boundaries in the firm, which creates a great partnership.”
Both architects trained in the same Singapore studio before returning home to launch PXP. Working abroad, they absorbed international standards in design and project delivery. “When I went to Singapore, my goal was to gain experience, learn from international designers, and eventually bring those learnings back home to my own practice,” Espiritu said. That exchange shaped more than technique—it framed their belief that global exposure need not erase local identity.
Biophilic Principles in Tropical Climates
At PXP, biophilic design isn’t a trend but a baseline. The studio integrates architecture and interiors with living systems, using daylight, natural ventilation, plants, and water features to support well-being. Indoor and outdoor spaces blur by design; walls recede, thresholds soften, and materials carry the warmth of wood and the coolness of stone.
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Sensory engagement runs deeper than sight. “The rustling of leaves, the movement of water, and the subtle ambient sounds of nature complete the experience,” Espiritu explained. Tropical architecture reinforces this approach. Passive cooling strategies, carefully planned airflow paths, deep eaves, shaded courtyards, reduce reliance on mechanical systems while keeping interiors comfortable.
Sustainability threads through every phase, from initial site study to final spatial orientation. “Rather than treating sustainability as an afterthought, it is part of our design solution and deeply embedded in our process,” Espiritu said. Each project begins with listening: to clients, yes, but also to the land itself. “We listen closely to our clients’ needs, and at the same time, we listen to what the site is telling us. That’s always the first step,” he added.
In one Antipolo residence, that process produced open-plan living, dining, and kitchen areas arranged as a single continuous space. Family members move through the day within view of one another, anchored by framed views of the surrounding forest. In denser urban settings, PXP turns inward, carving pocket gardens and courtyards that bring nature close without expanding footprints. These elements don’t just soften concrete; they improve daylight, enhance airflow, and quiet the noise of city life.
The studio’s vision remains steady even as methods evolve. “Design and construction can be chaotic. It is easy to be swayed and lose sight of your ideas. Stick to your concept. It’s your compass,” Espiritu said. That compass points toward homes built not just for shelter but for connection, between people, between generations, and between daily routines and the natural world beyond the doorframe.
Community Impact and Shared Spaces
Each home PXP designs considers the neighborhood it joins. The studio studies how buildings relate to adjacent structures and public areas. Visual consistency matters, but so does creating opportunities for interaction.
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Courtyards and setbacks become informal gathering points. Residents encounter nature even when moving between rooms. The firm sees these features as quiet invitations for neighbors to pause and connect.
Evolving with Technology and Time
PXP tracks new tools that support biophilic goals. Digital modeling helps predict sunlight and airflow before construction begins. Prefabrication methods speed up assembly while keeping quality high.
Espiritu notes that adapting does not mean abandoning core ideas. “Our philosophy remains constant, but our design solutions continue to evolve,” he says. The team stays open to innovations that deepen the bond between dwellers and their surroundings.
Looking ahead, the studio plans to explore retrofit projects. Older buildings offer chances to introduce green walls and improved ventilation. These upgrades can refresh aging neighborhoods without demolition.
