Firm Profile

Firm Profile
CASISON N SANTIAGO INC., whose proponents are two designers with over 35 years of combined experience. Both are products of the Asian Development Bank Headquarters (ADB) project in Metro-Manila, Philippines, among others they were nurtured and became close associates of Medi Nasrabadi and Craig Kronenberg of Skidmore Owings & Merill (SOM). After ADB, they undertook high profile projects working together closely with colleagues and peers, addressing the needs of different clients, whom are mostly property developers, a task requiring special design skills. Later on, both decided to go on his own way. But once again, heeding a gaining clamor to assemble the combined strenth of their experiences in different fields of practice, they finally decided to come together by putting up this vibrant company, now most popularly know as CNSI. With new design associates to back-up every endeavor this duo would re-create, it is definite that this architectural design concern is envisioned to exude sophisticated and high-quality design ideas with executions paramount to its primary goal - achieve excellence.

LEO C. CASISON is the founding director of Interior Exterior Design Consultancy (IEDC) and founding member of Pimentel Rodriguez Simbulan and Partners (PRSP). He worked in association with Skidmore Owings & Merill (SOM) for over seven years. Aside from SOM, he had worked in collaboration with a number of foreign-based Architectural firms i.e. Architecture International (AI), HHCP, 3DI and other Asian- based design firms. He started his career in 1981 with E.L.Mariano and Associater (ELMA).

LUIS P. SANTIAGO is the sole owner and CEO of TWLS Consultancy and Design Services, a firm put up to mainly cater to defects rectification or rehabilitation of aging or problematic building structures. After he had worked for the famous Dutch construction Company, Ballast Nedam Groep as an architectural quality-control inspector, he went on to be commissioned as an Architectural Clerk-of-Works under the stewardship of Kinhill-Mclachlan Joint Venture Group, an Australian construction project management team tasked in the construction of the new Asian Development Headquarters in Manila. In 1994, he was recruited to join the firm, Pimentel Rodriguez Simbulan and Partners (PRSP) as a field architect on a contractual assignment. He eventually rose to the status of Associate and later, as an Associate Partner, Medi Nasrabadi of SOM played a huge role in molding the way Luis would think and act in dealing with project crisis and design peculiarities alleviating structural, mechanical and aesthetic difficulties. Resultant Immediate resolutions offered or proposed were borne from international work experiences.

Both Leo and Luis have had a huge understanding of required design parameters as basis for ideal mix-use projects. International and local building codes have been thoroughly reviewed and evaluated to allow the clients to maximize the use of the lot limitations, economical material and labor cost saving advantages and also to forecast and make use to the client's benefit, the future developments of adjacent premises.

Mission Statement

CASISON N SANTIAGO INC. is a strong service-oriented firm that strives its best to give new dimensions to its personal commitment as attuned to the client's requirement. As mentioned before, the ultimate and primary goal is to achieve excellence through trustworthy service and a sustained high-confidence level felt by the client. This is made possible by firstly, effectively preparing the medium of communication as in sketches, diagrams and ultimately, models. Surely, project models convey excitement to the prospective developer or end user, bridging the gap between the non technical and the technical individuals. This common language is put to good use, making everyone understand of the architect's design intent, the funcionality of the given spaces, the pros and cons of the size of the structure, and the impact of the aesthetic facades to the adjacent skyline and natural environment. To solidify the understanding of both designer and client, we eventually endeavor to produce clear drawings in deifferent stages of the schematic, design development and finally, the construction documentation in CADD.

We constantly work with other important designers in the industry as well. Though the project may appear simple, in all phases of the design development, it is S.O.P. that we work in corroboration with mechanical, electrical, sanitary, structural engineers, lighting and landscape designers/consultants. As the saying goes, "no stone is left unturned." Every aspect of the design is scrutinized, modified, dressed down or worse, deleted should the initial findings translates to inefficiency, dysfunctional and being inappropriate. The length of actual manhour time consumed in the project is deemed irrelevant as long as the end result are the best design schemes hte firm, CNSI can offer to the client.

Stepping further, we offer our professional services by way of involving ourselves in the construction phase of the project. Should the client venture into further value-engineering processes, CNSI is more than willing and is qualified to assist in the progressive evaluation of the ever-continuing construction modifications.

CNSI Associates

Founding Directors:

Foreign Consultants:

Leo Casison


LEO C. CASISON, UAP
Founding Director
Design / Managing Director
Contact: (63918) 210.7339

LEO C CASISON was exposed to Art at an early age. His grandfather was a painter, an intimate friend of Fernando Amorsolo. His father was in the construction business. His career jumpstarted early when he won the design competition during his 4th year architecture studies at University of Santo Tomas in 1981. He was later recommended by his professor to the firm, Engracio L. Mariano & Associates (ELMA). He was a working student and was able to handle several projects with ELMA. The effort and competence earned him to become later, a Junior Associate. In 1984, he joined Skidmore OWings & Merill (SOM) for seven years. While in this firm he met Medi A. Nasrabadi, a similarly young architect of SOM. In 1989, Medi eventually decided to put up a design consultancy firm and invited Leo to become also a founding director of Interior Exterior Design Consultants Inc. (IEDC). A few years past, a design firm, Pimentel Rodriguez Simbulan & Partners was formed wherein he was also founding partner. In the much later year of 2004, he worked solely on his architectural design studio until the last quarter of the year 2006. Due to a strong clamor for revuitalized design techniques and functional innovations, he decided to team up with Luis P. Santiago and put up Casison N Santiago Inc. (CNSI).

Leo's 25 years of experience in designing and construction shall give a mileage in the field of architecture. His design background is diverse to include planning, interior fit-outs, graphics, landscape, institutions, corporate offices, multi and single residential housing, commercial structures, hotel and other mix-use development. His travels to the western hemisphere and Asian continent have afforded him to be well versed in foreign-based design and construction methodology. He has attended the American Institute of Architects (AIA), Arcasia & United Architects of the Philippines conventions in seeking updates in technical information.

EDUCATION
UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS
College of Architecture and Fine Arts 1982

PROFESSION REGISTRATION AND AFFILIATIONS
Registered Architect in the Philippines PRC No. 7250
United Architects of the Philippines UAP No. 3458
Past President of Makati Central Business District Chapter-UAP
Architect's Golf Club (AGC)
Atelier Alumni Association (UST)

Chito Santiago


LUIS P. SANTIAGO, UAP
Founding Director
Design / Managing Director
Contact: (63917) 537.8017

LUIS P. SANTIAGO is the owner and CEO of TWLS Consultancy and Design Services, a firm put up mainly to address existing defects and recommend rectification or rehabilitation of aging or problematic building structures. His work is to investigate, assess, evaluate and suggest rectification alternatives by introducing new design of modification to existing structures. His work would would usually progress into up-grading dilapidated, old design schemes to modern, attractive face-lifted facades.

He had formerly worked for a Dutch constrcution company, Ballast Nedam Groep, as an architectural quality-control inspector, gaining valuable experience on actual implementation of quality control techniques, using European standards. In 1987 he went on to be an Architectural Clerk-of-Works under the stewardship of Kinhill Mclachlan Joint Venture, an Australian construction management entity commissioned to oversee the construction of the new Asian Development Bank Headquarters in Manila. In 1994, he was recruited to join the firm, Pimentel Rodriguez Simbulan and Partners (PRSP) on a contractual assignment as a field architect, eventually elevated to the status of Associate and later, Associate Partner. His main assignment was to interpret drawings and address intricate construction peculiarities at the project sites. He was guided by his mentor, Medi Nasrabadi, formerly of SOM, while both were involved in construction of the Asian Development Bank project and other high-rise condominium ventures. In PRSP, he got in close association with Leo Casison, at that time, a Partner in the firm. They both were tasked to undertake the implementation and completion of several projects. The length of time in corroboration with each other have brought about a common work attitude and technique that have developed into a new partnership.

EDUCATION
MAPUA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY,
College of Architecture 1973

PROFESSIONAL REGISTRATION AND AFFILIATIONS
Registered Architect in the Philippines PRC 4191
United Architects of the Philippines (UAP)
Mapua Alumnae Association

Foreign Consultants

IN COLLABORATION WITH OUR FOREIGN CONSULTANTS

CNSI, in its quest to realize its primary goal – achieve excellence, has not limited its professional capacity to Leo, Luis and their Associates. The many instances of shared projects with other design consultants has instilled an inseparable bond between distant shores. The envisioned fruitful combination of two architectural firms teaming up with renewed vitality has no way to go but, UP!

Medi Nasrabadi
Founding Director of IEDC

MEDI NASRABADI is a founding Director of IEDC and formerly with Skidmore Owings & Merill. He accepted a challenge in his career and is on a rebound. His goal is quite simple; be there with the best and ultimately, excel.

Craig Kronenberg
AIA, NCARB, ASLA
Design Principal of IEDC
Founding Director of HK

CRAIG KRONENBERG is also a design principal of IEDC and formerly was with SOM, has his own design firm, H.K., complemented by his charming partner, Heidi, are now based in U.S.A. They have again confirmed their 101 percent support to CNSI’s renewed undertaking on choice projects. Both have assisted in bringing in new offshore technical information and construction techniques providing CNSI clients of the latest trend on design schemes.

Our Projects

Selected Projects

  • Asian Development Bank Headquarters
  • Renaissance 1000
  • Bramante Piazza
  • Renaissance 2000
  • Renaissance 3000
  • All-Asia Capital
  • Wise Center
  • Sun Plaza
  • Capitol Plaza
  • West Tower
  • Paragon Plaza
  • Four Seasons Salcedo Tower
  • One Roxas Triangle Tower
  • Anvel Mansion
  • Citibank Tower
  • Equitable Tower
  • Ayala Life - FGU Center
  • Olympian Place
  • Tropicana Mactan
  • Park City Central
  • Ayala-GSIS
  • Mercedes Building
  • Trimig Condominium
  • Emmaross Mansion
  • Padiville Townhomes
  • 2-Storey Residential House
  • 5-Storey Office Building
  • Vacation House
  • Sylvia Santos Boutique
  • Hortaleza Salon Branches and Office

Asian Development Bank Headquarters


The Asian Development Bank Headquarters is a financial institution devoted to promote economic progress in the Asia-Pacific region. Basically, it is a 9-storey sprawling office structure and a bi-level special facilities office in the midst of a large landscaped area located in the heart of Ortigas Center, Metro-Manila.

This project paved the way to have a team of foreign-based design consultants (SOM) some of whom have undertaken in pioneering the introduction of western-oriented construction systems and materials. As a result, this special project had actually triggered and revolutionized the local construction industry as to its acceptance of new design parameters and application of improved building technology. It was here that Medi, Craig, Leo and Luis crossed paths.

Renaissance 1000
















Renaissance 1000 is a 30-storey twin tower residential condominium structure with an office podium from ground to seventh floor complete with amenities suited for medium-scale residential living.

Bramante Piazza

Bramante Piazza is an amenities podium for the Renaissance Center, Pasig City. Seven towers of residential condominium are interconnected with the huge landscaped Bramante Piazza. There are double-height parking floors at the ground floor. Function rooms, a restaurant, Montessori school, Gym, tennis courts and other support facilities abound at the second level while the roof deck is a huge landscaped area with a majestic swimming pool and gazebos.

Renaissance 2000


Renaissance 2000 is a 30-storey step-up tower, looks huge in massing but has two internal huge lightwell or courtyard to give better ventilation and natural lighting for each unit. This tower has also a swimming pool, function and support facilities for condo living.

Renaissance 3000

Renaissance 3000 is another 30-storey residential condominium situated inside Renaissance Center. The massing and the 'skin' of the building was carefully studied to blend with the first two towers so that the whole complex do not exude a massive impression. The desired effect is to create a big hole at the middle of the tower interconnected with a four-storey floor of residential units which also serve as the bridge-way. The lower floor is connected by the podium. The lobby is a double-floor with a silhouette effect due to high-window glass panes overlooking the water feature and the swimming pool. Sharp corners were eliminated by a bay of tinted glass windows where the corner apartment units become the premium-class areas of each floor.

All-Asia Capital

All-Asia Capital is a 12-storey tower for Asia Capitol Headquarters. It is located behind an existing 8-storey structure. From the ground floor to the 9th floor are narrow strips of parking and office spaces. The 10th to the last floor have approximately a 3-meter cantilevered projection above the existing building which provides wider office areas on the top floors.

Wise Center

Wise Center is an 11-storey office building and was designed with horizontal and vertical grids which gives primarily a reflective glass effect to the facade. It is so simple in design but is very efficient as the floor plates usage was maximized.

Sun Plaza


Sun Plaza is a 20-storey office building situated in an odd spear-shaped lot. Careful study of the parking and office layouts was the biggest challenge undertaken by the team. The bay windows were designed with curved lines which ultimately served as the focal feature of the front facade.


Capitol Plaza

Capitol Plaza is a 34-storey residential condominium building situated near the Quezon City Hall and Sulo Hotel. It has a distinctive architectural character of which reflective glass makes the tower to look more elegant. It has complete amenities at the podium level including a sizeable swimming pool.

West Tower

West Tower is a 22-storey residential structure situated on a major road. The curvature of the ledges and balconies soften the feature of the structure combined with reflective glass. Window-type air-conditioners are not visible from the exterior due to a design innovation integrated in the external wall. The roof deck was maximized for usage of the provided amenities; gym, function rooms and swimming pool. The deck also allow the best view of the Makati skyline and the stretch of the South Superhighway.

Paragon Plaza

Paragon Plaza is a 43-storey mixed-use building with an imposing 30-meter high steel tower of antennae. The basement areas serve as the parking floors for the office and retail spaces. The 3rd to the 8th floors are residential parking floors. Ninth to the 14th floors are dedicated for office space. The 15th becomes the amenities level and special 2-storey units are situated near a big swimming pool coupled with a wide soft and hardscape areas. Sixteenth to the topmost floor cater for residential units. Emphasis was given on the horizontal line with a curvature effect. This allows for a panoramic view of Laguna de Bay, Ortigas Center and Makati skylines.

Four Seasons Salcedo Tower

Four Seasons Salcedo Tower is a 37-storey residential building facing an unobstructive view to Velasquez Park. The view from the units were maximized through full height windows but provides complete privacy to the dweller. Each floor has only three units allowing each unit better natural light and ventilation. A sky garden was created in the middle portion of the tower with a Swimming Pool, Function Rooms, Gym and Landscape area.

Current Projects

Our practice continues to be diverse as we are currently working on several projects:

1) 32-storey Hotel located in Makati Ave., Makati City
2) 8-storey resort hotel in Pangasinan
3) 5-storey condominium in Las Pinas City
4) 5-sotrey office Bldg., in Anonas Quezon City
5) 20-storey condominium in Cubao Quezon City
6) Vacation house in Ilocos Norte
7) Housing Development in Batangas City
8) 4 units of 3-storey apartment house in Timog Q.C.
9) Residential House in Fairview Q.C.
10) Residential Townhouse in Cainta Rizal
11) Residential House in Marikina
12) 3-storey townhouses in Tagaytay
13) Low-cost classroom & multi-purpose Ilocos Sur & Norte
14) Function rooms in Fort Bonifacio Taguig

Previous Projects

Our practice in our previous offices where we got involved:

Abenson Center - Muntinlupa
Madrigal Business Park 2 - Alabang
BetaElectric warehouse and factory
Ayala Life FGU - Cebu
Lee Gardens - Shaw Blvd.
Hemisphere Bldg. - Cebu
Belle Bay Plaza - Roxas Blvd.
Lake Paradise Tagaytay
Twin Cinema Alabang - Alabang
Bank of the Philippine Island Bldg. & Branches
Greenbelt Arcade Renovation - Makati
Interbank Headquarters - Makati
Pioneer Office Bldg. - Mandaluyong
Insular Life Bldg. - DAgupan
Consumer Place - LAguna
FEDEX Hangar - Subic
Several residential & Townhouses project

Contact Us

CNSI
CASISON N SANTIAGO INC.

40B Pacific Plaza Condominium,
Apartment Ridge Road, Ayala Avenue,
Makati City, Philippines

10TH Floor Atheneaum Bldg.,
160 Leviste St., Salcedo Village,
Makati City, Philippines

Telefax.: (632) 750.1669
Email: cnsi_2006@yahoo.com
Website: www.cnsiph.com

Arch. Leo C. Casison: (63918) 210.7339
Arch. Luis P. Santiago: (63917) 537.8017