Since 1976, AVillalón Architects has excelled in architectural design and conservation.
Based in Manila, the firm’s range of projects includes single and multi-family residences, mixed-use developments, commercial buildings, beach resorts, architectural conservation and adaptive re-use, museum and exhibition design, and product design. Other projects are in the areas of heritage conservation and cultural tourism planning.
Augusto Villalón, principal architect, graduated from the University of Notre Dame, received his M.Arch (Architecture) from Yale University and was awarded a Ph.D Humanities Honoris Causa by Far Eastern University. After graduation, he was Head Product Designer at the Design Center Philippines, a period when he traveled the country, discovering and documenting traditional crafts, reviving some and upgrading others to international market standards. His work included overseeing manufacturing, marketing and promotion through domestic and international product exhibitions. His feel for local craft traditions naturally influenced his architecture that blends modern building technology with traditional Philippine craftsmanship.
Aside from product and exhibition design, the firm conceptualizes a wide range of building types ranging from residential to commercial and institutional, he has participated in multi-disciplinary planning teams in the areas of real estate development, cultural heritage development planning, and cultural tourism master development planning.
Aside from his architectural and planning practice, Mr. Villalon is President of Genvi Development Corporation, the owner and sole developer of Monterrazas de Cebu, the city’s largest mixed-use development.
He was recently awarded the prestigious Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Knight of the Order of
Arts and Letters) by the Ministry of Culture of France in recognition of his exemplary professional achievement in the international advancement of architecture and heritage conservation in the Philippines, France, and in many other countries around the globe.
Ambassador Gilles Garachon honored Architect Villalón by conferring the Chevalier medal during private ceremonies held recently at the French Embassy in Manila. Established by President Charles de Gaulle and the French Ministry of Culture in 1957, the Order pays tribute to important individual contributions in the propagation of arts and literature, and in the promotion of French culture. The list of international conferees includes actor George Clooney, designer Yohji Yamamoto, dancer Rudolf Nureyev, and others.
