Sanchez, Lionel Joseph
Assistant Professor
Dr. Lionel Sanchez is a Licensed Interior Designer who has led his firm, Sanchez Design Studio, Inc., since 2007. With over a decade of professional practice, he has developed a deep understanding of the complexities and nuances of interior design, reflected in both his scholarly and professional work.
In 2021, he earned a Doctorate of Philosophy in Interior Design, where his dissertation, “The Christian Paradigm in Interior Design,” explored the intersection of faith and the built environment. He also holds a Master of Architecture, majoring in Interior Architecture, from the University of San Carlos, where his thesis examined “The Profile and Professional Remuneration of Interior Designers in Cebu.”
Lionel’s academic journey began with graduating Magna Cum Laude in Interior Design from the University of San Carlos. He further advanced his expertise by completing the Architectural Imagination program at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design. Alongside his professional practice, Dr. Sanchez has taught courses in design theory, design studio, and supervises thesis projects.
His research interests include inclusive design, interiority, queer theory, and social and community design—areas that reflect his commitment to exploring how interior spaces can better serve diverse identities and communities.
Beyond his practice, Dr. Sanchez is actively involved in the design community. He has served as an Executive Member of the National Commission on Culture and the Arts under the National Committee on Architecture and the Allied Arts. Since 2008, he has been a founding and corporate member of the Philippine Institute of Interior Designers – Cebu Chapter and has been a member of the Council of Interior Design Educators.
In his free time, Dr. Sanchez enjoys working out and going to the gym, balancing his professional life with personal wellness.