Architect JM Miranda had a vision of the projects he wanted to design. But his first commissions weren't mansions or luxury resorts. They were gates, fences, toilets, bathrooms and cabinets. He took them anyway. In 2018, those small jobs became the starting point for Raw House Architects — a practice built around his own name, his own approach to design and a willingness to begin before everything was perfect.
In this episode of Philippine Tool Talks, Ar. JM sits down with Ar. Joyce and Rumi for a candid conversation about starting an architectural firm, handling difficult renovations, working with a partner, choosing quality over shortcuts and finding the courage to start. He also tells the kind of renovation story no one forgets: a septic tank discovered in the living room.
Who is Ar. JM Miranda?
Ar. JM graduated from Technological University of the Philippines (TUP) Manila in 2016. After two years of apprenticeship, he chose to launch Raw House Architects in 2018. He describes architecture as both a profession and a business: a path that takes creativity and technical knowledge, but also judgment, communication and the ability to earn a client's trust.
His decision to start his own practice came from a simple realization. Working under someone else's firm meant helping execute that principal architect's concept and presenting work under that firm's name. JM wanted room to develop his own ideas — and, just as importantly, a name clients could remember as his.
Why he started his own brand instead of staying under someone else's
During apprenticeship, he learned how a designer could be assigned a concept to develop even when it was not the direction he would personally choose. He understood why firms work that way, but wondered how he would become known as Architect JM Miranda while always working under a principal architect's umbrella.
That question became a decision: build a recognizable practice with his own identity. The firm did not arrive with a large office or a long client list. It began with the projects available to him.
What does RAW mean in Raw House Architects?
The name is intentional. Ar. JM liked that Raw House sounds like row house, a familiar housing term in the Philippines, while the word raw also suggests something honest and unembellished. He later gave the letters their own meaning:
R · A · W
- Romantic — his love for the craft and for the projects he takes on.
- Astounding — the ambition to create work that impresses.
- Well-Crafted — an emphasis on polish and attention to detail.
The conversation turns playful when he says architects have to be loving — not just toward their spouses, but toward their projects and clients too.
Start small: from gates and fences to a growing practice
In the early years, Ar. JM imagined a large office, many employees and significant design commissions. Reality was more modest. He began with gates and fences, toilet-and-bath projects, and cabinets. His point to young architects is that waiting for a mansion-sized commission can keep you from getting started at all.
Today, Raw House Architects handles residential, commercial and hospitality work. JM says much of his clientele has included homeowners and working professionals who have saved for a property. He hopes to move further into the higher-end market, especially larger resort and leisure developments. For him, growth is not simply about taking more jobs; it is about choosing the work the studio wants to be known for.
The firm's official portfolio also shows how that ambition has developed, with published residential, hospitality and commercial work in different parts of the Philippines.
How a low construction estimate became a partnership
One of the episode's more revealing stories concerns Architect Ray Quirap, JM's partner. Before they teamed up, Ray submitted a costing for a fit-out project that JM thought was far too low. JM believed Ray could lose money if he accepted the job at that price.
He had a choice: take advantage of the low estimate, or explain the problem. He chose to help Ray learn proper costing, and invited him to become a partner. Their collaboration grew out of that conversation.
They divided responsibilities so one could focus more on design while the other handled construction, without shutting each other out of the process. JM says strong partnerships require clear delegation, openness to suggestions and a willingness to compromise. Being the principal architect, in his view, makes you a leader — not the person who must always be right.
Why soft skills matter as much as good design
A technically skilled architect may be excellent at drawings and plans but still struggle with clients, suppliers or presentations. JM is frank about this gap. Communication, he says, should be developed alongside design ability.
That philosophy shapes the way he works with his team. He wants junior architects and administrative staff involved in presentations, instead of taking all the credit himself. After all, a completed project depends on more than the person whose name is on the studio door.
Renovation or new build: which is harder?
Ar. JM's answer is renovation, especially when dealing with older properties. A new project offers the chance to plan services and structure from the beginning. An old building can hide pipes, sanitary lines, wiring and structural conditions behind finished walls and floors. If the original plans or reliable as-built drawings are missing, even a well-considered design may meet an expensive surprise on site.
His example is unforgettable. During one renovation, the crew was breaking through the living-room floor, expecting the septic tank to be somewhere near the garage. Then someone noticed the smell.
It gets a laugh in the episode, but the lesson is serious: renovations demand caution, clear project scope and conversations about the risks of concealed utilities and existing conditions.
Before hiring a contractor, talk to the right professional
JM sees a common mistake in how major residential projects begin. A homeowner decides to build or renovate, then immediately asks friends for a cheap contractor. He suggests reversing the order: for a major project, consult a qualified architect or engineer first to understand the design, scope, technical requirements and budget.
He is careful not to say every contractor does poor work. Nor is he saying a tiny bathroom repair needs the same process as a full house. His point is that homeowners should do their due diligence and seek proper professional guidance before committing to major construction.
When a ₱5M design meets a ₱2.5M budget
What happens when clients want a five-million-peso project but only have half the budget? JM prefers honest conversations and phased construction over pretending the whole design can be delivered at the same standard for less.
He advises putting essential work first and moving non-essential elements to a later phase. If money is limited, the scope can change; the standards should not quietly disappear.
For people planning a home, it is a practical distinction: a smaller project completed properly can be a better outcome than a larger one built with substandard materials or workmanship.
Good tools, sound materials and accountability after turnover
As the conversation turns to tools, JM argues for standard or better-quality equipment and materials. He contrasts a cheap drill treated as disposable with the expectations of a client building a home meant to last. His view is that builders should know when a purchase is truly temporary — and when quality is central to the result.
He also speaks candidly about defects and punch lists. No project is perfect, he says, and if his team makes a legitimate mistake, he believes they should own it and address it. He recommends that design-and-build businesses keep a contingency fund for rectification or back jobs, rather than drawing unexpectedly from personal savings.
Even the small act of replying directly to an inquiry matters to him. JM believes clients notice when a firm's principal is personally engaged, though he also acknowledges that as companies grow, leaders need to delegate.
Winning clients is a bit like courting
Ar. JM jokes that pitching architectural services can feel like panliligaw. You introduce yourself, explain the process, spend time answering questions and hope the client chooses you. If not, you move on. But the joke carries another lesson: not every inquiry becomes a commission, and a growing firm has to learn how to qualify opportunities without exhausting its time and resources.
The hardest part of running his own firm: finding the next project
He does not pretend every year has been steady. JM talks openly about slow seasons when there were no projects coming in. For a salaried employee, monthly income may be predictable; for an architect running a practice, the next client is never guaranteed.
That uncertainty is part of the risk. It is also why he urges young architects to strengthen their communication skills, maintain a portfolio and make deliberate efforts to meet and speak with potential clients.
His advice to young architects: “Gawin mo na!”
For anyone considering a practice of their own, JM's advice is not to wait for the perfect office. A laptop, usable skills and a place to work can be enough to begin building a portfolio and finding opportunities. He encourages new architects — even students — to document their work and learn to communicate what they can do.
He also places real weight on mentorship. Find people who can guide you, learn from experience and build your technical and people skills together. Passion matters, he says, but a practice also requires patience, resilience and a realistic view of professional fees and expenses.
Why he wants architects to build a presence online
JM's career advice includes a modern marketing lesson: excellent design skills alone are not enough if nobody can discover your work. He tells young professionals to build a recognizable brand and use social platforms to showcase designs, projects and experience.
For him, a social media page is only a starting point. The bigger goal is credibility: making your work visible, explaining your value and gradually earning trust. And while it can be tempting to measure yourself against competing firms, he says the more useful comparison is with your own progress.
Quick Fire Questions
- Favorite material to design with?Marble.
- Renovation or new build?New build.
- A dream project he hasn't landed yet?A high-rise resort.
- Describe Raw House Architects in one word?Limitless.
- First step if you're planning to build or renovate?Talk to the right architect or engineer before choosing a contractor for major work.
What's next for Raw House Architects?
JM wants the firm to be recognized among the country's leading architectural practices. He is especially interested in expanding into hospitality and resort development, while continuing to help younger architects find direction in their careers. It's an ambitious goal — and one that makes the story of his first gates, fences and cabinets all the more fitting.
His message to the next generation is not that success happens overnight. It's that the first step counts, even when it looks nothing like the final dream.
About Raw House Architects
Raw House Architects is a Philippine architectural design studio founded by Ar. JM Miranda in 2018. Its published services cover architectural design, interior design, visualization, design-and-build, and project management, with work across residential, commercial, and leisure or hospitality projects. The firm lists its office in Don Galo, Parañaque City.
Connect with Raw House Architects
Website: rawhousearchitects.com
Facebook: Raw House Architects
Instagram: @rawhouseph
YouTube: @rawhousearchitects
Email: rawhousearchitecture@gmail.com
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