In design, architecture, and even the way we move from one place to another, there are projects that simply follow trends, and then there are initiatives that set the pace for the future. Lexus has long stood at the forefront of innovation and sustainable luxury, but what makes its latest collaboration truly compelling is how it goes beyond technology and mobility.

Partnering with Architect Liza Morales of Ecotecture Design Studio, Lexus redefines what it means to live and move sustainably, blurring the lines between green mobility and responsible design. It’s not just about creating solutions for the future, but about showing how these can already be part of today’s standard.

For Morales, sustainability is more than a box to tick for compliance, but it is the very foundation of her practice. At Ecotecture Design Studio, where she is founder and principal, she has built a reputation for creating spaces rooted in three words she lives by: authentic, sustainable, timeless. From bespoke homes and resorts to large-scale commercial projects, her approach has always been guided by conscious design choices that respect people and the environment.

Being one of the first Filipino architects certified as a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Accredited Professional by the US Green Building Council speaks volumes about her credibility and her pioneering role in the built industry.

This is also why Lexus found in her the perfect partner. As a woman leading in construction and design, her journey is as much about breaking barriers as it is about building sustainably. Morales invited other women leaders in the real estate and construction sector to join the drive to Silang. Among them were Harly Pow, director at H.S. POW Construction; Arch. Cathy Saldaña, principal of PDP + Architecture; Cathy Casares Ko, CEO of Torre Lorenzo; Grace Reyes Serapio, president of Grace S. Reyes Designs; and Lesley Villanueva, president of Datem Incorporated.

“Power women in construction, you know how it is being women in construction, it’s so challenging,” Morales said. “I know in some way, shape or form, each one of us is involved in sustainability, which is the ethos Lexus stands for.”

Sustainability, for Morales, extends far beyond architecture. Her passion for empowering women led her to establish Tali Handmade, a social enterprise that produces artisanal bags crafted by women from underprivileged communities and correctional facilities. She is also the CEO of Philippine GeoGreen Inc., a leading provider of energy-saving and sustainable construction products she incorporates in her projects.

That same ethos is visible in Elaia by Cyma, the restaurant of Chef Robby Goco in Silang, which Morales helped transform. What was once a dilapidated structure is now a space of quiet luxury, reimagined with respect for its original foundation.

“The restaurant was renovated and repurposed by Arch. Morales. If you could see the space before, we really saved the foundation and retained whatever we can. We tore down a wall and now you have a view of the garden,” Goco shared.

“We embraced what was already there. The goal was to open it up to light, greenery, and texture and to let it breathe again,” Morales added.

At Elaia, sustainability isn’t an afterthought, it’s a way of operating. “The reason why we’re here in Tagaytay is to be closer to the source. The tomatoes that we have are only grown for us. The vegetables that we have are sourced within a five-kilometer radius. Everything is fresh,” Goco explained.

True to its Greek namesake, Elaia celebrates olive oil, with extra virgin olive oil flown in from Peloponnese, Greece, prized for its exceptionally low acidity. The result: dishes that embody freshness, longevity, and wellness.

“Sustainability goes beyond just sourcing and operating. It’s also about responsibility, we run Elaia with a clear focus on practical sustainability. We seek everything to minimize waste and ensure profitability while being conscious of our impact,” Goco continued.

“We also practice nose to tail. We use the whole animal from nose to tail. We’re looking into composting. We’re segregating our wastes," he said. "Beyond the kitchen, sustainability means holding ourselves accountable as business owners. That means being proud to register, pay our taxes, and contribute to the community. We can’t talk about sustainability if we ignore the systematic side.”

Morales summed it up perfectly: “Like Lexus, we believe in quiet craftsmanship, innovation, and making sustainability feel natural. It’s about respect for people, for resources, and for the experience.”

That experience was brought to life during the Lexus drive itself, from the showroom in Taguig to the lush setting of Cavite. Behind the wheel of the Lexus RX Hybrid and the fully electric Lexus RZ, guests experienced firsthand how progressive design and responsible mobility can merge seamlessly.

Spacious, cutting-edge, and unmistakably luxurious, the drive embodied what Lexus has long stood for: that sustainable mobility can be dynamic, refined, and deeply considered. Whether hybrid electric, plug-in hybrid, or fully battery electric, Lexus continues to lead the industry with vehicles designed not only for performance but also for a better future.

“Working with brands that share your values is always inspiring,” Morales said. “Lexus’s commitment to sustainability, performance, and timeless design is very much in line with how I approach my work.”

As a Lexus hybrid owner for eight years, she understands the alignment not just in values but in daily living. “I love how Lexus shows you don’t have to sacrifice performance for design—they go hand in hand. That’s the same balance I strive for at Ecotecture Design Studio,” she added.

In both her work and her advocacy, Morales mirrors the Lexus philosophy: quiet confidence, refined craftsmanship, and a commitment to always doing things better.