Introduction

Janlu is a registered and licensed architect in the Philippines with over 15 years of experience in architecture and landscape design across diverse building and land-use typologies. A graduate of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), he began his career at E.A. Aurelio, a prominent Manila-based landscape firm, where he laid a solid foundation in landscape design. He later transitioned to architectural practice at JOG+A, a BCI Asia Top 10 Architectural firm. While preparing for his licensure exam, his hand-drawn residential community master plan won first place in a competition against established firms. This milestone led him to join a Manila-based affiliate of Belt Collins International, where he expanded his passion for landscape architecture onto an international scale. Janlu joined Cohere Design in 2018 and now serves as Director of Design and Managing Partner of the Manila office, overseeing projects across Hong Kong, China, Dubai, and the Philippines. He currently leads Cohere’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative for the landscape redevelopment of the PUP–Main Campus in Manila.

Driving the creative direction at Cohere, Janlu brings a versatile style that bridges the gap between structured architecture and fluid landscape design. His approach masterfully balances the rigorous technical constraints of a project with a playful interplay of spaces crafted to stimulate the human senses. By leading his team in human-centric placemaking and resilient green features, he ensures that Cohere’s concepts deliver vibrant, user-focused environments anchored by a deep ecological consciousness that nurtures local flora and fauna. With this vision as the guiding principle of his mentorship, he ensures the firm consistently delivers strategic, impactful, and deeply satisfying results for clients.