About U. Architect

U. Architect is an architectural practice dedicated to delivering thoughtful, aesthetically refined, and technically sound design solutions. Drawing on more than three decades of professional experience, the practice integrates architectural design, code consulting, and accessibility expertise to help clients transform ideas into projects that are functional, buildable, safe, and code compliant. Every commission is approached with a commitment to design excellence, practical problem-solving, and sound professional judgment tailored to each client's unique objectives.

Why U. Architect

Every project deserves more than creative ideas alone. It requires thoughtful planning, technical expertise, sound professional judgment, and the ability to translate design into practical, buildable solutions. Drawing on experience across architectural practice, construction coordination, engineering, and regulatory review, U. Architect provides clients with a balanced approach that integrates design excellence with technical confidence.

  • Three Decades of Professional Experience

  • Architectural Design & Technical Excellence

  • Regulatory Leadership & Public Safety

  • Constructability & Value Engineering

  • Strategic Project Delivery

  • Practical Solutions for Complex Projects

Together, these strengths enable U. Architect to approach every project with a balanced perspective—integrating creative design, technical precision, regulatory confidence, and practical execution to help clients achieve successful project outcomes.

Professional Approach

Every project presents unique opportunities and challenges. Rather than relying on a fixed formula, U. Architect follows a consistent set of professional principles that guide decision-making throughout the design and project delivery process. These principles reflect the firm's commitment to thoughtful design, technical excellence, and lasting value for every client.

Understand Before Designing

Design with Purpose

Technical Excellence

Regulatory Confidence

Build with Confidence

Deliver with Value

Every successful project begins with understanding—not assumptions. Before design solutions are explored, U. Architect takes the time to understand each client's vision, operational needs, project constraints, regulatory requirements, and long-term objectives. This collaborative process establishes a clear foundation for informed decisions and meaningful design solutions that respond to the unique goals of every project.

Architecture should do more than create visually appealing spaces—it should solve problems and improve the way people experience the built environment. Every design decision is guided by functionality, context, user experience, and project objectives, ensuring that aesthetic quality and practical performance work together rather than compete.

Strong design is supported by technical precision. Careful coordination, thorough documentation, and attention to detail help transform design concepts into clear construction information that supports efficient project delivery, minimizes conflicts,
and contributes to successful project outcomes.

Navigating regulatory requirements is an essential part of successful project delivery. U. Architect integrates code compliance, accessibility, life safety, and permitting considerations throughout the design process, helping clients move forward with confidence while reducing uncertainty, delays, and unnecessary redesign.

Thoughtful design must also be practical to build. Construction methods, sequencing, coordination, and real-world execution are considered throughout the design process to help ensure that architectural intent can be efficiently translated into successful construction.

Successful projects are measured by more than their completion—they are measured by the value they provide over time. U. Architect helps clients make informed decisions that balance design quality, technical performance, constructability, regulatory requirements, and long-term project objectives to achieve lasting value for every investment.

Representative Professional Experience

The following representative professional experience reflects the breadth of knowledge and capabilities that shape U. Architect's approach to design, project delivery, and regulatory practice. Rather than defining the practice, these experiences demonstrate the multidisciplinary perspective, technical judgment, and collaborative approach that clients can expect on every project.

Drawing upon experience across architectural design, construction coordination, engineering, regulatory review, and project delivery, U. Architect applies lessons learned from projects of varying scales and complexity to develop solutions that are thoughtful, practical, buildable, and responsive to each client's unique objectives.

Commercial & Mixed-Use Developments

Commercial architecture has been a consistent focus throughout the Principal Architect's career, encompassing retail, office, mixed-use, and large-scale commercial developments. Experience includes working within multidisciplinary teams to coordinate architectural design, construction, specialty systems, and consultant integration while maintaining project quality and constructability.

Representative experience includes participation in the construction of Ajman City Centre in the United Arab Emirates, where responsibilities included architectural site coordination for one of the region's major retail developments. The project involved coordination with international consultants and specialty amusement system designers, requiring careful integration of architectural and technical components during construction.

High-Rise & Complex Buildings

The Principal Architect has contributed to the successful delivery of high-rise and technically complex developments in both the Middle East and the United States. These projects required close collaboration among owners, architects, engineers, contractors, specialty consultants, and construction teams to coordinate sophisticated building systems, resolve field challenges, maintain design quality, and keep construction progressing in accordance with project objectives.

Representative experience includes landmark developments such as the Burj Al Arab in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and major Manhattan skyscrapers including 125 Greenwich Street (72 stories) and 130 William Street (66 stories). These assignments provided extensive experience in multidisciplinary project coordination, shop drawing and submittal review, RFI management, change order evaluation, consultant and subcontractor coordination, construction scheduling, quality assurance, punch list administration, and resolving field conditions while maintaining the integrity of the architectural design throughout construction.

Working on projects of this scale strengthened the Principal Architect's ability to anticipate construction challenges, facilitate communication among diverse project teams, and translate design intent into practical, buildable solutions. An experience that continues to benefit projects of every size.

Residential Design

Residential design has been a consistent part of the Principal Architect's professional career, combining independent architectural practice in the Philippines with long-term collaboration on residential projects in New York City and Westchester County through OAPD, PLLC. This diverse experience has provided a comprehensive understanding of residential architecture across different regulatory environments, design practices, and project delivery methods.

Through his independent practice, the Principal Architect designed custom residences, home additions, and residential renovations, working directly with homeowners to transform their vision into functional, aesthetically pleasing, and code-compliant homes. These projects strengthened his expertise in client collaboration, architectural design, space planning, permit documentation, and the development of practical solutions tailored to each client's lifestyle, budget, and long-term goals.

Through his long-term collaboration with OAPD, PLLC, the Principal Architect has contributed to a broad range of residential projects in New York City and Westchester County. His responsibilities have included zoning and building code research, development of initial design concepts and space planning, preparation of permit and construction documents, energy code compliance documentation, and coordination throughout the design development process. Working closely with the firm's principal architect, design concepts were collaboratively evaluated and refined, integrating creative ideas with regulatory compliance, functionality, constructability, and client objectives.

This combination of independent design experience and collaborative professional practice provides the Principal Architect with a well-rounded perspective that integrates creative design, technical coordination, and regulatory expertise. Clients benefit from an architectural approach that considers not only aesthetics but also zoning requirements, code compliance, permit approval, constructability, and long-term project success from the earliest stages of design.

Hospitality

The Principal Architect's hospitality experience encompasses projects ranging from internationally recognized luxury hotels to neighborhood food and beverage establishments. These projects provided valuable experience in translating architectural design into practical, buildable solutions while maintaining design quality, operational efficiency, and regulatory compliance.

Professional experience includes contributions to the Burj Al Arab in Dubai during the early stages of the Principal Architect's career, together with hospitality renovation projects in New York City through his long-term collaboration with OAPD, PLLC. His responsibilities included the preparation of as-built drawings, construction documentation, shop drawings, and the technical refinement of architectural details to resolve constructability challenges encountered during construction. Working closely with architects and construction teams, design solutions were collaboratively developed to preserve the original design intent while ensuring that projects could be successfully constructed.

This experience strengthened the Principal Architect's understanding of the relationship between architectural design and construction execution. Today, that experience enables him to develop practical, coordinated, and code-compliant design solutions that not only satisfy project objectives but also facilitate efficient construction and successful project delivery.

Institutional

Representative experience includes religious and institutional facilities involving renovation, architectural coordination, construction documentation, and consultant collaboration. These projects contributed to the Principal Architect's understanding of community-oriented buildings, long-term functionality, and multidisciplinary project delivery.

Strategic Project Delivery

Large and technically complex projects require more than sound design. They demand thoughtful planning, informed decision-making, and disciplined project execution. Stationed in Japan and engaged on international Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) and Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) projects across Asia, the Middle East, Oceania, Europe and the Americas, the Principal Architect developed a comprehensive understanding of the processes that transform complex engineering concepts into successful, deliverable projects.

His responsibilities included participation in project planning, subcontractor qualification and evaluation, technical and commercial bid analysis, engineering resource planning, and the estimation of engineering man-hour requirements. Working within multidisciplinary project teams, he contributed to decisions that balanced technical performance, project schedule, construction feasibility, commercial objectives, and overall project value.

This experience also reinforced the importance of value engineering, not simply reducing project costs, but identifying solutions that maximize value while maintaining quality, functionality, safety, and long-term performance. Combined with a strong understanding of constructability and interdisciplinary coordination, this perspective enables U. Architect to approach every project with careful consideration of design quality, regulatory compliance, project efficiency, and successful delivery.

Whether working on a commercial renovation, residential development, transportation facility, or design-build project, the same principles guide every commission: thoughtful planning, informed technical decisions, responsible resource management, and solutions that achieve the best overall outcome for the client.

Regulatory Leadership, Public Safety & Accessibility

Protecting the public and ensuring the integrity of the built environment require more than knowledge of building regulations. They demand sound professional judgment, technical expertise, and the ability to evaluate complex projects within the context of design intent, construction practicality, and regulatory compliance. Through his role as a Senior Code Manager and Certified Code Enforcement Official (CEO), the Principal Architect has developed extensive experience applying these principles to transportation and public infrastructure projects throughout New York.

His responsibilities include comprehensive code and accessibility reviews, fire and life safety evaluations, technical infeasibility determinations, existing building code analysis, site inspections, construction permit determinations, permit issuance, and code compliance certification. Working closely with architects, engineers, owners, and public agencies, he evaluates proposed designs for compliance with applicable building, fire, accessibility, and existing building codes while helping project teams resolve complex regulatory challenges through practical, technically sound solutions.

This experience is supported by graduate studies at the University of Tokyo, where the Principal Architect's academic focus on fire safety engineering strengthened his understanding of life safety principles and their application within the built environment. Combined with more than three decades of professional architectural experience, this unique perspective enables U. Architect to integrate design, code compliance, accessibility, constructability, and public safety into solutions that are practical, enforceable, and responsive to each project's specific requirements.

Whether serving as the architect of record, a code consultant, or a regulatory advisor, the same principles guide every engagement: protecting public safety, supporting informed decision-making, facilitating successful project approvals, and helping clients navigate complex regulatory requirements with confidence and integrity.

Meet the Principal

Jose Maria Rommel I. Umano
Founder and Principal Architect

Professional Leadership Rooted in Design, Technical Excellence, and Sound Judgment

U. Architect is led by Jose Ma. Rommel I. Umano, R.A., whose professional experience spans architectural design, multidisciplinary coordination, construction documentation, code compliance, accessibility, project delivery, and regulatory practice. This diverse background has shaped a balanced approach that integrates creative design with technical precision, practical constructability, and sound professional judgment.

Throughout his career, he has contributed to projects ranging from residential and commercial developments to high-rise buildings, hospitality facilities, transportation infrastructure, and complex engineering projects. Working collaboratively with architects, engineers, contractors, owners, specialty consultants, and regulatory agencies has provided a comprehensive understanding of the entire project delivery process, from early planning and design through permitting, construction, and project completion.

Today, that experience forms the foundation of U. Architect's practice. Every client benefits from an approach that emphasizes thoughtful design, technical excellence, regulatory confidence, and practical solutions tailored to each project's unique objectives. The goal is not simply to create well-designed buildings, but to help clients achieve successful projects that are functional, buildable, safe, and enduring.

Professional Qualifications

Credentials

  • Registered Architect – State of New York

  • Registered Architect – Republic of the Philippines

  • Certified Code Enforcement Official (New York State)

Professional Affiliations

  • Society of American Registered Architects (SARA) – Member

  • United Architects of the Philippines (UAP) – Active Member

Education

  • Master of Architecture – University of Tokyo

  • Bachelor of Science in Architecture – University of San Agustin

  • Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (coursework substantially completed; degree not conferred) - University of San Agustin

Every project presents its own opportunities and challenges. Whether your project involves new construction, renovation, accessibility improvements, code compliance, or navigating complex regulatory requirements, U. Architect is committed to providing thoughtful design, sound technical guidance, and practical solutions tailored to your objectives. We welcome the opportunity to learn about your project and discuss how we can help bring it to a successful outcome.

Let's Discuss Your Project

Whether you're planning a new building, renovating an existing property, or seeking guidance on building code or accessibility requirements, I'd be pleased to discuss your project.

Every project begins with understanding your objectives, evaluating opportunities and constraints, and identifying practical, code-compliant solutions tailored to your project.

Complete the form below and I'll contact you to schedule an initial consultation.