Innovation wins at World Architecture Festival 2023

LAST week, the largest global gathering of architects converged in Singapore. A good number were in inflatable “igloos” in the Marina Bay Sands (MBS) convention centre, looking somewhat stressed, but composed – you would be too, if you were presenting your project at the world’s biggest live-judged architectural competition, and answering questions from an international jury in front of audiences made up mostly of your peers.

Live judging is a key feature of the World Architecture Festival (WAF), an annual showcase of architectural innovation and design excellence also known as the “Oscars of architecture”.

Now in its 16th year, the WAF comprised three days of talks, panel discussions, exhibitions, networking and judging. The competition’s winners were picked from among 495 entries, shortlisted from more than 800.