Designs by Architect Jae
Sa Arkitekto Sigurado.
Homes, condo units and small commercial spaces, designed by a licensed architect and supervised on site until the last fixture is in.
Ar. Jaerica Mae S. Espeleta · Licensed Architect, PRC No. 0049443 · Master Plumber, PRC No. 0012490
Every project tells a story.
Tap a project to see its story and every image.
From the first visit to the finished room.
Grouped by project. Pick a project, then drag the slider to compare the space we were handed with the design or the finished build.
Hi, I’m Ar. Jae.
I’m Jaerica Mae S. Espeleta, a licensed architect and master plumber with over eight years of experience designing homes, commercial spaces and industrial buildings.
I studied architecture at Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, then completed a Diploma in Urban and Regional Planning at the University of the Philippines Diliman. That planning background is why I care about how a building works for the people around it, not just how it looks.
I’ve designed for brands like Balai Pandesal, Ling Nam, Mei-Yi Creations and Nature Springs, and served as a design architect under the Department of Health CALABARZON for its Super Health Centers. I also teach Building Technology to fourth-year architecture students at PLM, so explaining the technical side clearly is part of my week.
Outside architecture, I’ve sung in choirs for over two decades, most recently winning gold at the 2024 World Choir Games in Auckland. It taught me what I bring to every project: every detail matters, and every part has to work together.
What clients say
Arki gives reasonable expectations, then proceeds to exceed them. Reasonable price as well, and she has a background in construction, so it’s very convenient when things get technical. When the foreman asks how something should be done, she can answer.
This house means so much to me. I always believed meeting you was not a coincidence.
I loved it. You captured exactly the idea I had. I’m so excited to have it built.
Names are withheld to protect our clients’ privacy. Some quotes are translated from Filipino.
Start with what you need.
Pick the one that fits where you are.
Design your space
3D designs you can walk through before anything is built, signed and sealed plans, and a bill of materials with cost estimate.
We watch over your build
Site supervision, project management and material sourcing, whether we designed your home or someone else did.
We design it, our team builds it
Our own construction team builds your design, with the architect who drew it checking every stage. One team, no finger-pointing.
Know your design fee before we meet.
₱60,000 up to 40 sqm, then ₱1,500 per sqm. Enter your floor area to see yours.
Fee calculator
Add up the floor area of every level you want designed.
A one-time fee, separate from the monthly build support packages. It already includes a bill of materials and cost estimate. Final fee is confirmed in your notarized service agreement.
The design fee includes
- Photorealistic 3D rendered perspectives
- Signed and sealed blueprints for permits and construction
- Technical specifications
- Bill of materials and cost estimate
- Site visits by the architect to assess the contractor’s work
- Notarized service agreement, 15-year statutory liability, and one year of post-construction support
Build support packages.
Monthly prices, in pesos. The fee is based on site visits, not on your total construction cost.
See all packages, prices and what each service includes
- Design
- We turn your needs into a complete design: 3D perspectives so you can see the space before it’s built, plus signed and sealed plans for permits and construction.
- Site supervision
- We visit the site and check that the contractor builds what was approved, to the right quality, at each important stage. Visits follow the phase of construction: the closer the build gets to completion and turnover, the more often we’re on site. We report what we find and what needs fixing.
- Project management
- We run the project for you: budget and schedule tracking, coordinating the contractor, engineer and trades, and reviewing payment requests before you pay.
- Material sourcing
- We find, compare and negotiate materials and fixtures from suppliers, and check deliveries against what you ordered. You approve every purchase and pay suppliers directly.
Already working with a contractor, designer or another architect? We can join as a second set of eyes, or take on just the part you need.
Your monthly visits aren’t spread evenly. They follow the phase of construction, so we’re on site most when it matters most.
- StructureFoundation, columns, beams and slabsFewer visits. We never skip a check before a major concrete pour.
- Walls, roof and rough-insMasonry, roofing, and plumbing and electrical before walls and ceilings closeRegular visits, plus checks before anything is covered up.
- Finishing and turnoverTiles, ceilings, paint, cabinets, fixtures, punch list and handoverThe most visits. We’re there until it’s ready to turn over.
- Demolition and discoveryOpening up walls, ceilings and floorsMore visits. Hidden problems like old wiring, leaks, rot or weak structure show up here, and we judge them on site with you.
- Rough-ins and changesNew plumbing and electrical, structural fixes, new openingsRegular visits, plus checks before anything is covered up.
- Finishing and turnoverTiles, ceilings, paint, cabinets, fixtures, punch list and handoverThe most visits. Finishing is most of a renovation, so this is where we focus.
- Before major concrete pours (footings, columns, slabs), to check the steel reinforcement
- Before walls and ceilings are closed, to check plumbing, electrical and waterproofing
- When finishing starts: first tiles, ceiling layout, cabinet installation
- The punch-list walkthrough and turnover
Condo renovations: we schedule visits within the building’s work hours and permit rules.
If the build is delayed: Your package follows your contractor’s approved schedule. If work stops, billing pauses. If work runs past the schedule, we switch to per-visit billing at ₱5,000 per visit, so you only pay when there’s work to check.
Short renovation? For projects under 3 months, ask about a fixed per-project fee instead of monthly billing.
We visit and check the work. We don’t manage your budget or buy materials in these packages.
We supervise the site and also manage your budget, schedule and the people on your build. Three tiers, built on the matching supervision level. Only Premium includes sourcing.
A separate service. Hire us for sourcing alone, or alongside a supervision package. Phase 1 is structural and rough-in materials; phase 2 is finishes and fixtures. Premium + PM already includes sourcing.
Supervision and management packages compared. Sourcing-only prices are in the Sourcing tab.
Simple glossary
- Stage inspection
- A check at an important point, before the next stage begins.
- Rebar
- Steel bars inside concrete that make it strong.
- Defect list
- A list of things that need fixing.
- Progress billing
- The contractor’s payment requests as work moves forward.
- Change order
- A change to the original plan or price during construction.
From first sketch to final turnover.
Design, construction, or both. Join at whichever step you’re at.
- StartMessage us
Tell us where you are: still planning, in the design phase, already working with someone, or looking for a second professional to check and balance. Need only sourcing or project management? We’ve got you covered.
- AgreeSign a notarized contract
We recommend the package that fits, then put it in writing: payment terms, liabilities, the architect’s responsibilities, and a projected timeline. No surprises.
- DesignDesign and plans
Layout and 3D renders refined with you, then signed and sealed plans and specifications, ready for permits and construction.
- BuildBuild and turnover
Our team builds, or we supervise yours, with photo reports from every visit. After turnover, our 15-year statutory liability and one year of support stay with you.
- No hidden fees. Everything is in the contract.
- We don’t hold your money. You pay your contractor and suppliers directly.
- Warranties stay between you and the contractor or supplier.
- Any supplier discount or rebate is disclosed or passed on to you.
- Big decisions are always yours to approve.
- Everything you share with us, from plans and budgets to addresses and family details, stays confidential.
Before you message us.
The questions homeowners ask us most. Don’t see yours? Send it our way.
How much does it cost to build per sqm?
As a rough guide: about ₱35,000 per sqm for a new house and about ₱20,000 per sqm for a renovation. Final costs depend on your design, plans and the materials you choose. We go through everything with you after the design phase, so it fits your style, needs and budget before construction starts.
- Structural works: foundation, columns, beams, slabs
- Basic architectural works: walls, roofing, ceiling, doors and windows
- Standard finishes: tiles, paint, basic bathroom fixtures
- Electrical works: wiring, outlets, basic lighting
- Plumbing works: water lines, drainage, basic fixtures, septic tank
- Design and permit fees
- Appliances and air-conditioning
- Furniture and custom interiors
- Fence, gate and landscaping
- Special finishes and upgrades
- Retiling
- Repainting
- Re-installation of ceiling, based on the approved design
- Fabrication of cabinets
- Electrical layout
- Furniture and furnishings
- Appliances
- Elaborate lighting
- Replacement of doors and windows
How long does the design phase take?
Usually about a month and a half from our first meeting to signed and sealed plans, if there are no major revisions.
Is the consultation free?
Yes, the first consultation is free.
I already have a contractor. Can I still hire you?
Yes. We work alongside your contractor as your architect, on your side, not the contractor’s. Our job is to guard your interests: we check that the work follows your plans, meets the quality you’re paying for, and that what you’re billed matches what was actually built.
Do you work outside Metro Manila?
Yes. We’ve worked across Luzon and as far as Zamboanga. An ocular fee of ₱3,000 to ₱5,000, depending on your location, covers our first site visit, where we assess what needs to be done.
What are your payment terms?
Payments are per milestone, as written in your notarized contract. You pay as the work moves forward, not everything up front.
More questions 10
Do you have your own construction team?
Yes, we have our own construction team. When our team builds, you still pay per milestone, as written in your contract. You’re also free to use your own contractor, and we can recommend contractors we trust.
Can you supervise a house someone else designed?
Yes. We can supervise, manage or source for a project designed by another architect or designer.
Do you meet online or in person?
Both. Choose whatever’s easier for you.
How many revisions are included?
Three rounds of revisions are included in the design fee.
Do you process building permits?
We don’t process permits. Our signed and sealed plans are ready for submission, and permits are usually processed by the owner.
Can you design just one room or a condo unit?
Yes. We design single rooms, condo units, whole houses and small commercial spaces.
What should I prepare before we meet?
Your lot plan, title, budget, photos of the site or existing space, and the ocular fee if we’re visiting your site. Inspiration photos help too.
How long does a typical build take?
It depends on what you’re building. A small renovation can take about a month, larger renovations around three months, and a new house six months or more. You’ll get a projected timeline before work starts.
Can you recommend contractors?
Yes. We can recommend contractors we’ve worked with, or build it with our own team.
What if the contractor does poor work?
We flag defects in our site reports so they can be corrected. If you decide to take legal action, we’ll help you gather the evidence: photos, reports and records from our visits.
Let’s talk about your build.
Message us with these three things and we’ll reply with a quote. The first consultation is free.
- Where you are: planning, designing, building, or needing a second opinion
- The professionals you’re already working with, if any
- The service or package you like
Everything you tell us stays confidential.