He first made waves in the design field with his bamboo chairs that were sold in Bloomingdales New York in the Seventies. Budji Layug’s pioneering concept of Filipino design fit seamlessly into the narrative that he would expand his knowledge, experience and network through trade expositions, particularly CITEM.

Layug then partnered with the architect Royal Pineda to establish their well-known design and architecture firm Budji+Royal.

Their collaborative effort is a total design approach that marries function and flow into the spaces that surround the homes and structures of their clients. Layug’s style is present but changing.

The designer captured this in his coffee table book, BUDJI: Design Journey, which launched in 2019. The pre-pandemic effort took four years to complete and details an extensive portfolio and a rich broad view of the landscapes in his mind. Highlighted in the book are the insights of this visionary talent that has created coutnless tropical resort-like spaces.

In 2020, Budji+Royal designed the SEA Games Pavilion and the Philippine Pavilion for the Dubai Expo. He recently added another feather on his cap, that of a painter, having held his first exhibit last September.