How Rhansted Architects streamlined project management while scaling their design practice

Company overview

Founded in 2006, Rhansted Architects has distinguished itself in the Philippine architecture landscape, covering different kinds of projects, from small residential ones to full-scale master planning and township developments.

Rhansted Architects has distinguished itself in the Philippine architecture landscape by positioning design as a strategic investment tool rather than merely an aesthetic service, which CEO Ar. Rhansted calls "gold in mud" -- transforming idle properties into income-generating assets.

Rather than simply creating visually appealing designs, Rhansted Architects guides clients through comprehensive development analyses, calculating costs, potential revenue, and profit projections to demonstrate how design decisions directly impact return on investment.

Their accumulated experience has given them deep insights into market preferences. "Through years of repetitive work, we've come to understand how brands respond to different types of properties -- their preferences and requirements. This knowledge enables us to provide strategic guidance to our clients", notes Ar. Rhansted.

The challenge: scaling operations while preserving relationship-focused service

As Rhansted Architects prepared for an anticipated surge in complex projects, the firm recognized the need for systematic project management that could maintain its relationship-focused approach while handling increased operational complexity.

Manual project status monitoring

The firm struggled with maintaining oversight across their expanding portfolio of residential, commercial, and institutional projects. Without a centralized tracking system, determining project status required time-consuming manual checking and constant communication between team members.

As Architect Rhansted explains: "Before, we were doing things manually, and it was hard to track: 'What's this project? What's the status? What happened here?'" Their previous manual tracking methods made it challenging to maintain comprehensive oversight of project status and progress across an expanding portfolio.

Design process management

Their client consultation process, from initial meetings through to Final Construction Documents (FCD) agreements, lacked structure and clear workflow stages. This made it difficult to ensure consistent service delivery and maintain project momentum during periods of growth.

Daily performance and accountability issues

With multiple young professionals working simultaneously across different project types, the firm needed better systems for tracking daily deliverables and individual contributions. Without structured reporting mechanisms, it was difficult to identify productivity patterns, recognize top performers, or provide targeted support where needed. The challenge wasn't just coordination, but ensuring each team member's daily work contributed effectively to overall project goals.

The solution: unified platform to support strategic growth

Rhansted Architects implemented Rework.com, a unified work management platform, to provide the structure needed to scale operations while preserving their collaborative culture and investment-focused consulting approach.

Standardized design process workflows

Rework Flows enabled them to structure their design process from client meetings through to FCD agreements:

• Clear workflow stages for client consultations and interviews
• Structured handoffs between team members
• Built-in documentation for each stage of the design process

Comprehensive project management

Rework Projects provided organized oversight of their diverse project portfolio:

• Separate project management for residential, commercial, and institutional projects
• Task assignment and deadline tracking for design team members
• Feeds Board implementation, giving the team a space for daily deliverable reporting and centralized communication threads for each project

Request management and policy implementation

Rework Request and Rework Work Rules streamlined coordination and maintained consistency:

• Standardized approval workflows for design changes and client requests
• Centralized company policies and procedures
• Clear guidelines for client communication and project execution

Implementation and results

The transformation to structured operations through Rework has positioned Rhansted Architects for sustainable growth while maintaining their collaborative culture.

Proactive preparation for growth: The implementation came at a critical time for the firm's expansion. As Architect Rhansted notes: "We're anticipating a lot of projects, so when I found Rework, I had to push the team to start using it. If we didn't have Rework in place before those projects arrived, it would be a problem."

Enhanced project visibility: The platform provided immediate improvements in project oversight. "Now, as new projects come in, everything is already being monitored inside Rework. I can look at the system and say, 'Okay, I see where we are'."

Streamlined management process: "What makes me excited about Rework is that the process is already organized. Everything is set, you just follow it. And once you follow the process, you can't go wrong. It keeps everything in order, which means I don't have to constantly check in. If I want to review something, I can simply check on my phone. If I need to message someone, it's all in one place. It makes management easier."

Preserved collaborative culture: The platform enhanced team coordination without compromising their relationship-focused approach. As Rosemarie Flores-Ramos, HR & Admin Manager, explains: "At Rhansted Architects, keeping our projects organized and running smoothly is something we've always worked on and tried to maintain. We recently partnered with Rework.com to help us stay on top of things - and honestly, it's been a big help. What we appreciate most is how it brings more structure without feeling rigid. Everyone knows what they're responsible for, but it still feels collaborative. It made our team more aligned, especially when we're juggling several projects at once. For a growing firm like ours, tools like this really make a difference."

Looking forward

With their operational foundation strengthened through Rework, Rhansted Architects is well-positioned to handle their anticipated project growth while maintaining the collaborative, client-focused culture that sets them apart.

The streamlined operations enable the team to take on more ambitious projects while preserving the relationship-focused approach that has driven their success. For Rhansted Architects, technology serves not as a replacement for human connection, but as an enabler of the "Always Excited" culture that transforms projects into lasting partnerships and turns clients into friends.