World Architecture Festival 2023: A Convergence of Innovation and Design in Singapore

World Architecture Festival 2023 Overview

The World Architecture Festival 2023, held at the iconic Marina Bay Sands in Singapore from November 29 to December 1, is a beacon of architectural brilliance. This year’s theme, ‘Catalyst’, has drawn over 1,500 professionals from the global architecture community.

WAF 2023: Charu Kokate, Safdie Architects - Seeing Beyond the Brief

WAFX Awards and WAF Special Prizes

WAF 2023 highlights include the WAFX awards, which honor innovative design proposals addressing significant global issues, such as climate change and community resilience. The festival also features special prizes in categories such as The Futureglass Prize and Best Use of Certified Timber.

Celebrating Excellence: Winners of the World Architecture Festival 2023

The World Architecture Festival 2023 has been a showcase of architectural ingenuity, with the winners impressing the esteemed judging panels through their live presentations in Singapore. Here’s a glimpse of the remarkable projects that stood out:

Completed Buildings

Reyhanli Centre for World Citizens, Turkey by Chen-Yu Chiu and Studio Cho
Kaomai Museums and Tea Barn, Thailand by PAVA architects
Ravenscar House, New Zealand by Patterson Associates Architects
Turrell Pavilion, Maldives by Studio mk27
Veil House, Canada by 5468796 Architecture
547 West 47th Street – The West Residential, United States by Concrete Amsterdam
Surat Diamond Bourse, India by Morphogenesis
The Courtyard CCR Lab, India by Sanjay Puri Architects
Huizhen High School, China by Approach Design Studio/Zhejiang University of Technology Engineering Design Group
Quzhou Stadium, China by MAD Architects.

Future Projects

Hormuz Eco Resort, Iran by Nextoffice, Studio of Architectural Research & Design
Border Village Community Center, Iran by Nextoffice, Studio of Architectural Research & Design
Shenzhen Airport East Integrated Transport Hub, China by Grimshaw
Shiraz Cultural and Recreational Complex: The Thickened Earth, Iran by Nextoffice, Studio of Architectural Research & Design
Green City Kigali, Rwanda by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios
United Nations International Office of Migration, Switzerland by Sharon Davis Design, NOMOS, Marvel Design, Buro Happold.

Inside Category

Running concurrently with the World Architecture Festival 2023, the Inside World Festival of Interiors celebrates the world’s most exceptional interior design projects.

Murrenda Residential Aged Care Home, Australia by STH
Royal Tulip Warsaw Apartments, Poland by Tremend
M&C Saatchi, Australia by Woods Bagot
Link Lab Creative Offices, Belgium by Stay – Markland – Link Lab.

These projects not only represent the pinnacle of architectural creativity and vision but also embody the innovative spirit of the World Architecture Festival 2023.

Architecture Book of the Year Award

This year, WAF introduced the Architecture Book of the Year Award, celebrating excellence in architectural literature.

The Architecture Drawing Prize

In collaboration with Make Architects and Sir John Soane’s Museum, WAF curates the Architecture Drawing Prize, underscoring the importance of drawing in capturing architectural ideas.

Global Student Design Charrette

WAF 2023 reintroduces the global student design charrette, inviting student teams to develop proposals related to the ‘Catalyst’ theme.

Exclusive Architectural Tours of Singapore

Attendees can explore Singapore’s architectural wonders through specially curated tours, offering a unique view of the city’s urban design.

Educational Opportunities

The festival features 76 international speakers across two stages, providing attendees with knowledge and insights into current architectural trends and challenges.