Joseph Orobia: Architect at play

	Architect Joseph Orobia with his 2020 Construction Canada Emerging Leader Award for community contribution. Recognized not only for design excellence but also for his community involvement, Jo continues to mentor young architects and lead creative outreach programs. (Photo by Joseph Orobia)

by Oscar Pantaleon Jr.

Joseph “Jo” Orobia caught my attention when he was introducing the Mabuhay District at the Philippine Heritage Council of Manitoba’s (PHCM) Independence Ball last June. In a calm yet passionate and articulate manner, he invited everyone to get involved in the movement advocating for a Filipino Canadian hub in Winnipeg. Perla Javate, PHCM President and my fellow UP alumnus, connected us after the event and one early morning in September, I found myself at the Architects At Play office along Main St. We planned it to be a short interview. Two hours and twenty transcript pages later, we were still talking.

Building from the ground up

Jo is a principal and co-founder of Architects At Play, an award-winning firm known not just for innovative design but for its commitment to community engagement. “We built it with no money, we built it with no clients,” Jo recalled. “We started from the very bottom, and so to get to that point within a couple of years, for us, was a triumph.”

That “point” was their first major project, Essential Balance, a health and wellness facility on Grant Avenue. “It’s one that we’re very proud of because it was our first brand-new build as a firm,” Jo said. “It is in a high-profile location, and it was a challenging project. When it went up and it looked good, we had a lot of good feedback. It was really a positive experience overall.”

But for Jo, success isn’t just measured in buildings. It’s measured in relationships, mentorship, and the joy of rediscovery.

Rediscovering the joy of play

The firm’s name, Architects At Play, was no accident. “After months of soul searching, my partners and I sat down one evening and talked about if we were to build a firm, what type of firm would it be,” Jo said. “It all came down to play. Not just frivolous play but rediscovering what it is that you love about design, rediscovering your joy of experimenting and trying things, rediscovering the joy of engaging with others.”

That outlook permeates everything in their practice, from their playful installations and street art to their architecture studio filled with Lego sets and community projects. Even their office, with its mix of toy collections, flooring samples, and a retired barber’s chair, is an embodiment of creativity and approachability.

“Lego is one of the clear influencers of what we’ve done here,” he said, smiling as he pointed to the colourful pieces scattered around. “A lot of the work that we do is inspired by our childhood.”

Architecture and community

Jo’s design philosophy is rooted in stewardship, a word he lives out daily. Beyond architecture, he devotes much of his time to outreach programs and mentorship. “For me, that’s actually the most rewarding part,” he said. “Getting involved in a lot of the community aspects of our job, which I didn’t really get to do at my previous work.”

Through partnerships with schools like Seven Oaks MET, Maples MET, and Daniel McIntyre Collegiate, Architects At Play offers students hands-on learning experiences. “Right from day one, we engaged with the community in terms of bringing on students and actually teaching what architects do,” Jo shared. “Regardless of whether or not it brings in projects or capital, we will always continue to engage with the community.”

Since 2019, their internship program has guided several students into architecture. “There aren’t a lot of Filipinos in architecture, or at least at the position that I’m at,” Jo noted. “So, to see that more Filipino students are now entering the program is, for me, quite rewarding.”

Beyond the drawing board

Jo’s interests spill far beyond blueprints and site plans. In his office, shelves display everything from skateboards designed for his son’s business, PEBL Skateboard Company, to a replica lechon from his performances with Magdaragat Philippines. There’s even a Hamilton-inspired costume he sewed for his daughter. “I’ve never sewn,” he laughed. “It’s not perfect, but it fit the job.”

Proudly, he showed me Flatline, a modular display system that won an award for his team in the Winnipeg Design Festival and once exhibited at IKEA. Next to it is a barber’s chair, which was left from a time when a local barber would drop by every few weeks for haircuts.

Each object, each story, reflects Jo’s multidisciplinary nature: an architect who effortlessly blends design, culture, and play.

A conversation that keeps going

As the office opened for business for the day, Jo’s co-principal, architect Grant LaBossiere, joined us. “Jo is definitely the lead in spearheading all this,” Grant said modestly. Jo quickly countered, “You do. You’re part of it.”

That exchange summed up the ethos of Architects At Play: collaboration, humility, and shared purpose. What began as a firm built on the simple idea of rediscovering play has grown into a creative force shaping both structures and communities.

Our “short” interview left me with more than stories about architecture. It revealed a conviction of living with purpose and curiosity. And as it turns out, our conversation is only half the story. So, consider this a prelude. In another article, we’ll explore Jo’s work as founding president of Mabuhay District Inc., a project that’s reimagining the Filipino community’s cultural and economic future in Manitoba.