143 Mahal, Kita City

THE GROUP THREE www.thegroupthree.com

THE ARCHITECT'S OFFICE

Research 01

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT AND APPLICATION FOR ARCHITECTURE 01

C R U Z
OBRA
DE
ARC

R .
D E S I G N & B U I L D
S E R V I C E S

A R M H E L
A R .

RESEARCH BY:

Patricia Ann A. Angeles

Marieliza P. Cordova
Christian Dale G. Garcia
Juan Miguel V. Navarro
Jubielle Francis P. Sunga
BSAR 4C

SUBMITTED TO:
Arch. Janvir Moses S. Escalona, uap
 143 Mahal, Kita City
THE GROUP THREE www.thegroupthree.com

THE ARCHITECT'S OFFICE

Research 01

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT AND APPLICATION FOR ARCHITECTURE 01

OB RA DE ARC
Obra- means "work"
de- means "of"
ARC stands for "Armhel
Ramos Cruz"
"Work of Armhel Ramos
Cruz"
This firm offers Architectural
Design, Project supervision, and
General Practice of Architecture.

WHO IS ARCH. Covid-19 crushed Obra de ARC: but fights

back!
ARMHEL This firm started last 2018 which is located in Sindalan,
City of San Fernando during that time, not until pandemic
RAMOS CRUZ? came.
Just like other businesses and industries, Obra de ARC was one
Architect Armhel
of the Architectural firm that was shut down by the aggressive
R. Cruz is a
Covid-19. Lockdowns and quarantines have left their office which
proud alumnus of
was they decided to close later. Meanwhile, their projects were put
DHVCAT (Don
on hold due to covid-19 restrictions. But that doesn’t mean
Honorio Ventura
everything is coming to a halt. The brave owner still pursued the
College of Arts
firm to grow as what their vision and mission.
And Trades)
which is now the
Don Honorio
Ventura State
University.
This humble man made a remarkable
exit in his alma mater as he was hailed as
one of the topnotchers on their
Comprehensive Exam, 2nd Best in Thesis, Employee's Booster Shot in Clark, Pampanga;
and Best in Design 10. came back stronger!
After getting a degree in Architecture, Last May 2022, Arch. Armhel Cruz together with his
Arch. Armhel started as a graphic artist in a employees are gathered in a Vaccination Post in Clark, Pampanga
famous department store which he was to get their booster shot as a preparation for the much flexible
promoted as manager in design department. restrictions for the construction industry.
He then flew to Dubai for more experience, "Kung hindi lang nagka-pandemic..." Arch. Cruz said during
then went back to take his "one-take" board the interview, which he said his visions on his humble firm,
exam in 2010. Arch. Armhel also became thankfully that the brave man continued his dream and still doing
an instructor in DHVSU which after 8 his passion with his firm, up until now. He inspired us to consider
years of teaching, he decided to build his things that are unexpected just like the pandemic, and the most
own firm. important thing is to continue.
 143 Mahal, Kita City
THE GROUP THREE www.thegroupthree.com

THE ARCHITECT'S OFFICE

Research 01

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT AND APPLICATION FOR ARCHITECTURE 01

01. OFFICE 03. OFFICE

ORGANIZATION
"Me, myself, and I"
Arch. Armhel Cruz is
proud to share that he single
handedly manage his firm,
with the help of his wife who
is an Architecture graduate as
well.
As a Single Proprietorship registered in
Department of Trade Industry (DTI), Arch. Cruz shared
that the advantage of it is he can maintain the identity
of the firm because he does almost of the work. As the
owner and Principal Architect, he is responsible for the
pre-design stage up-to post-construction services. He is
also working for the estimates, marketing, project
management, and construction management.
And soon, he is planning to be registered as a
corporation in Securities and Exchange Commission
(SEC), which in case of bankruptcy, assets are not
affected, he said.
PERSONNELS
"Multitasking tayo"
Arch. Armhel Cruz is the owner and Principal
Architect of the firm. Meanwhile, his wife is the
secretary and in charge of the drafting and
accounting.
Before the pandemic, he shared that the firm has
four draftsmen which the three of them are now
Architects. At the moment, Arch. Cruz helps them
to build and start their own firm as well.
As of now, the firm has 4 foreman and 25
personnel in charge for the construction. He always
consider his co-workers as his partners, not just his
employees. As he proudly shared that he offers a
token of appreciation like sack of rice to his
workers whenever possible.

02. OFFICE LOCATION "A small token of appreciation to our team"

-Arch. Armhel Cruz
"Walang renta 'pag sa bahay
lang". Arch. Cruz emphasizes the 04. CONSULTANTS
advantage of "At Home office". Most
"Ang kay Juan ay kay Juan at ang kay
of the firms choose their own houses
Pedro ay kay Pedro".
as their houses because it is
Arch. Armhel highlighted the importance of
comfortable and doesn't need to pay
professionalism in the field. He said that he only do
for rent and utilities, according to Arch. Cruz.
his jobs as an Architect. And when it comes to other
However, they are located in Sindalan area prior to
fields such as Interior Designing, Structural, and
pandemic. But now, he is contented in their house
Electrical, he has friends and colleagues that he
because some meetings can be done in the coffee shops
consult for.
or restaurants, especially if the clients are from outside
He also make sure that they are
Pampanga.
also present in the site whenever
Now, he is planning to look for a House around
possible to at least see if their work
suburban area that he can use as an office as well. He
is properly executed. He respect each
also added that by choosing a location, it is important
profession, he added.
that it is located in much public or urban area.
143 Mahal, Kita City
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Research 01

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT AND APPLICATION FOR ARCHITECTURE 01

05. REFERENCES 07. PUBLIC

& SAMPLES RELATIONS
"Isa yung UAP,
"Hindi ako very fancy sa big factor para makilala ka"
design, but I make sure na
Arch. Armhel is now the
Architecture ang ginagawa
Vice President for the
ko"
UAP-Sinukwan Chapter
which he believes to be a
Arch. Armhel said that samples especially for great opportunity to be part
materials are very important so that clients can of it.
relate. They also have magazines, general samples, With the organization, he
and brochures. Business cards are also given to Arch. Armhel Cruz is growing as an Architect,
their clients while business cards from their during a UAP- he is getting referrals from
suppliers are also important, he said. Sinukwan Chapter his colleagues and he is
He also pointed that he always focus on Tropical Ceremony in 2016 being known.
Architecture which he believe is the best choice due
Since he didn't grew in a wealthy family, it is hard
to our climate. Aside from being simple and cheap,
to advertise the firm because he has no any connection.
it is very suitable in the Philippines.
So he always makes a good reputation to have referrals
06. FINANCES & from his clients.
"We do not do fake advertisements, wag nating
INSURANCES ikalakal ang sarili natin". He stressed out that
Architects should not advertise themselves just to get
"Hindi dapat maging ugali clients on social media and let the client comes to you.
na kapag may nagbayad , Paid advertisement is a big NO for him as stated on the
may bagong kotse" code of ethics. He also advised us to join organization,
Arch. Cruz emphasized the make socialization, and join family reunions and
importance of saving that can be use in growing of the birthdays as he jokingly added.
business. Paid money from the client must be utilized
on where it is allotted. While loan is also considered
when the client's down payment is not enough, in BUSINESS STRATEGIES
According to Arch. Cruz, to be unique you must
that case you need to render money just to continue
create your own standard. And just simply have good
the project.
Meanwhile for "Home Mutual Fund" from banks relationship with the manpower and the clients so that
and Pagibig need some outputs or progress to release they will stay to you.
"Everything starts
funding, which the firm really needs to render from nothing and just
advanced money for the project, he added. He also grows up to something".
make sure that everything must be in a contract. He advised us to choose a
Arch. Cruz always budget each operation to know if mentor who will help us
they are profiting. They also have salary and share grow as an architect not those who will just
excess money to their workers as "profit sharing". treat you as an employee. "Just be patient,
He also stressed the importance of insurance for both hardworking, and focus on your goal", he
house and his employees. added.
143 Mahal, Kita City
THE GROUP THREE www.thegroupthree.com

THE ARCHITECT'S OFFICE

Research 01

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT AND APPLICATION FOR ARCHITECTURE 01

DOCUMENTATION

Our interview was done through online meeting on March 27, 2023.

REFERENCES
All photos/ images belongs to Arch. Armhel R. Cruz and to their Facebook page "Obra de ARC"

FB Page:
https://www.facebook.com/ArchitectArmhel

Arch. Armhel Cruz's FB Account:

https://www.facebook.com/armhel.cruz