The Answers: Anthony Nazareno

Anthony Nazareno sits in his favorite chair at home, talking about travel, architecture and the objects that have stayed with him over the years. Around him is a collection of memories. Every sculpture, painting, chair, table and even the house plants somehow connect to his life. Point to almost anything and there is likely a story behind it.

Anthony and his family have lived here for the last decade, and the bones of the house are largely unchanged from when they first moved in. He’s been slowly adjusting things over the years, keeping what still works and changing only what needs to. (Article continues after the video.)

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His daughter Bea, who is also a designer at his firm, puts it simply: “It’s the same house, but now you can tell this was all Dad.”

The same preservation instinct shows up in his work. He recalls a project where a tree stood in the middle of a site plan. Instead of having it removed, he worked around it. Years later, he found himself back on the property, having a meeting with his client under the very same tree.

“See?” he says. “This wouldn’t have happened if we had cut it down.”

Anthony grew up around creative people, surrounded by designers, architects and artists, and exposed early to the work of masters of the craft. As a child, a visit to a Kenzo Tange retrospective in Tokyo and a book on the architect given to him by his father set something in motion. Living in a home designed by Bobby Mañosa did the rest.

Anthony pursued architecture formally and, in 1997, established Nazareno Architecture + Design. He still works the way he always has. He observes first, then draws.

“Some people take photos,” he says. “I sketch.”

Between projects, Anthony travels with his family and remains fascinated by world history and Renaissance art.

What’s the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning?

Pray.

Do you have a uniform for certain occasions?

It’s not so much a uniform, but I always dress the part—for the occasion, for the dinner party, even for the people I’m meeting.

Favorite clothes to wear?

Anytime I get the chance to wear a dinner jacket or layer pieces, I’ll do it. I like layering.

What app do you use the most?

WhatsApp.

What do you do that’s still analog?

I draw. I still sketch a lot. It’s different when you can feel the weight of charcoal or pencil on proper sketch paper.

What advice do you wish you’d followed?

I honestly try not to look back at what I could have or should have done differently. I’m comfortable with where I am now, and I’m incredibly grateful for both what has been given to me and what has been taken away from me.

What do you most crave at the end of the day?

A really good dessert. Ice cream, always. Gelato especially.

Who is your dealer, and what do they source for you?

I enjoy dealing directly with artists—visiting their studios, understanding their motivations, seeing where they are creatively. That’s just as gratifying as collecting the work itself.

What is your exercise routine, and how often do you do it?

I’ve had the same trainer for the last 15 years. Mostly stretching, kettlebells, weights and occasionally Pilates.

How do you find calm?

Prayer.

Who is your guru?

I don’t really have one. I just try to read scripture as much as I can.

What’s your favorite cocktail?

I love a proper red vermouth on the rocks before a big meal. Otherwise, maybe a Negroni.

What’s the most impressive dish you cook?

I do a pretty mean beef stroganoff.

What do you collect?

Artwork. Mostly contemporary art, but also icons and antiques. I also collect eyewear. Every time we travel, I somehow end up buying another pair.

What’s the most recent addition to your collection?

A sculpture from Reg Yuson’s “Nimbus” series. And while I was in Bologna last year, I also found a painting at a flea market that I absolutely couldn’t leave behind.

What is the most recent thing you regret not buying?

A 1967 Mercedes Pagoda.

What was the first artwork you bought?

A 19th-century San Antonio de Padua icon my parents gave me. It came from their collection.

If you could learn a new skill, what would it be?

Playing guitar.

How many watches do you own?

Enough.

Which one’s your favorite?

The one I wear every day—my Rolex Daytona Panda.

What is your most prized possession?

My wedding ring.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?

“Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.”

Favorite city?

Florence. The entire city feels like a museum of Renaissance art.

Favorite hotel?

Villa San Michele in Fiesole, just outside Florence.

What’s always in your hand luggage?

Eyewear. Always.

What are you reading right now?

I’m rereading The Pillars of the Earth.

What subject could you talk about for hours?

Apart from architecture? Renaissance art and history. Even World War II history.

What trait do you admire most in other people?

Faith.

What trait in yourself are you still working on?

Faith as well.

Drive or be driven?

Be driven.

Last box set or Netflix binge?

I can honestly live without television. But the last thing I rewatched with my daughter was The Godfather Parts I and II.

Who do you admire most in the world?

My wife—for putting up with me, loving me and raising our daughters.

Bowie or Dylan?

Bowie. One hundred percent Bowie.

What song is currently in your head?

“Edelweiss” from The Sound of Music.

What kind of music makes you happy?

Christmas music. I love the Christmas season in the Philippines—even when the songs start playing in September.

What is your earliest memory or exposure to architecture and design?

A retrospective exhibit on Kenzo Tange in Tokyo. My father bought me a book about him when I was very young. Soon after, my parents renovated our home with Bobby Mañosa, Kito de Villa and Cielo Fiel. Being exposed to those people at such a young age shaped how I saw architecture and design.

What made you decide to become an architect?

I drew constantly as a child. I also found myself naturally understanding perspective drawing very early on. Being surrounded by architects and design conversations definitely helped shape that path.

What do you do to get inspiration?

Travel. Even when I travel just to relax, I still find myself sketching ideas and sending references to my team.

What’s the first thing you notice when you walk into a space?

Light. Whether natural or artificial, it completely shapes how a space feels.

How do you make a space feel personal?

By finding out what matters emotionally to the client and integrating those things into the design. That’s what gives a space soul.

What’s the best-designed room in your own home?

My walk-in closet.

What’s one design rule you always follow—and one you’re happy to break?

Lighting is something I always pay close attention to because it completely changes how architecture is experienced. As for rules I’m happy to break, I’ve always believed in starting with hand sketches, but technology has changed that.

What’s one trend you’re tired of seeing?

Infinity-edge pools.

What’s the hardest part of designing for a client?

My own stubbornness. If I truly believe in something design-wise, I can be very immovable.

When do you know a project is finished?

When the fresh flowers arrive. But really, I know a project is complete when the clients invite me over for dinner.

This article originally appeared in Robb Report Philippines’ Design Issue, June 2026.antho