At the 2024 World Architecture Festival, award-winning projects by renowned architectural firms in Singapore showcased a blend of innovation, elegance, and a profound commitment to context and purpose.
Renzo Piano Building Workshop earned praise for its design of the Istanbul Modern in Turkey, a cultural masterpiece that won in the Culture category. Known for his iconic projects around the world, Renzo Piano’s approach to Istanbul Modern reflects his ability to blend contemporary architecture with a deep respect for cultural heritage, making this museum a standout space for both art and the public.
Grimshaw Architects were celebrated for their work on the Parramatta Aquatic Centre in Australia, which took the Sport category by storm. Grimshaw’s design emphasizes sustainable practices and a seamless integration with the surrounding landscape. This project highlights their dedication to creating functional, aesthetically pleasing public spaces that enhance community life.
The Danish firm 3XN also made a significant impact with Forskaren, an office building in Sweden that won in the Office category. Known for their environmentally conscious and human-centered designs, 3XN brought a unique approach to Forskaren, crafting a workplace that fosters collaboration and creativity while embracing sustainable design principles.
Another highlight was RSHP (Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners), awarded for Regent’s View Bethnal Green in the United Kingdom, which took home the Residential award. This project exemplifies RSHP’s characteristic focus on creating visually striking structures that also address practical urban housing challenges. Regent’s View Bethnal Green stands out for its modern design and thoughtful approach to residential living, aligning with RSHP’s longstanding commitment to community-centered architecture.
The 2024 World Architecture Festival highlights the innovative contributions of emerging firms, including notable studios like 5468796 Architecture from Winnipeg, Canada. Known for their creative adaptive reuse projects, 5468796 Architecture won recognition in the Creative Re-use category with their Pumphouse project, a clever transformation that speaks to their commitment to sustainable, community-oriented architecture. Other standout emerging firms include tHE gRID Architects with AGRITECTURE in India, focusing on sustainable agricultural architecture, and Laboratory for Explorative Architecture & Design Ltd. from Taiwan, awarded for their innovative display project MemutAR 竹旋幻居. These firms are shaping the future of architecture with bold, locally informed approaches that prioritize sustainability and social impact. The WAF provides these young studios with a vital platform, helping them gain international visibility and influence in the industry.
Discover here all the 2024 World Architecture Festival Award-Winning Projects.
Completed Buildings category
Among the completed projects, in the Culture category, Renzo Piano’s design for the Istanbul Modern in Turkey captivated judges with its contemporary yet respectful approach to creating a cultural hub. This project exemplifies how sensitive, sustainable design can transform spaces into vibrant public realms. Kyriakos Tsolakis Architects’ National Star Observatory in Cyprus took top honors in Civic and Community. Judges commended its blend of functionality and artistic flair, reflecting the theme of “seamless integration of landscape and architecture.” Meanwhile, the Touching Eden House by Wallflower Architecture + Design brought Singapore a win in the House & Villa (Rural/Coastal) category, showcasing an impressive synergy between the built environment and natural surroundings. Australia had an especially strong showing, with five category wins, including Nightingale Village, a community-focused housing development by Architecture Architecture and collaborators. This project embodies sustainable urban living with a touch of elegance and simplicity.
- Civic and Community
- Winner: National Star Observatory in Cyprus by Kyriakos Tsolakis Architects
- Creative Re-use
- Winner: Pumphouse in Canada by 5468796 Architecture
- Culture
- Winner: Istanbul Modern in Turkey by Renzo Piano Building Workshop
- House & Villa (Urban) – Supported by GROHE
- Winner: Arthur Residence in Canada by 5468796 Architecture
- House & Villa (Rural/Coastal) – Supported by GROHE
- Winner: Touching Eden House in Singapore by Wallflower Architecture + Design
- Housing – Supported by GROHE
- Winner: Nightingale Village in Australia by Architecture Architecture, Austin Maynard Architects, Breathe, Clare Cousins Architects, Hayball, Kennedy Nolan
- Office
- Winner: Forskaren in Sweden by 3XN
- Production, Energy and Logistics
- Winner: Kalyon Karapınar 1.350 MWp SPP – Central Control Building in Turkey by Bilgin Architects
- School
- Winner: Darlington Public School in Australia by fjcstudio
- Sport
- Winner: Parramatta Aquatic Centre in Australia by Grimshaw and ABA with McGregor Coxall
- Display
- Winner: MemutAR 竹旋幻居 in Taiwan by Laboratory for Explorative Architecture & Design Ltd.
- Health
- Winner: Paula Fox Melanoma and Cancer Centre in Australia by Lyons
- Higher Education & Research
- Winner: Waimarie – Lincoln University Science Facility in New Zealand by Warren and Mahoney in association with Lab-Works
- Mixed-Use
- Winner: 88 Walker in Australia by fitzpatrick+partners
- Retrofit
- Winner: Rhodes House Transformation in the United Kingdom by Stanton Williams
- Shopping
- Winner: Newson’s Yard in the United Kingdom by Stiff+Trevillion
- Transport
- Winner: Metropolitan Bus Station in Poland by Tremend Woven
Future Projects category
Future Projects are where architectural visions truly soar, and this year’s winners did not disappoint. Among them, the Unity Arena in Norway by Rodeo Architects was awarded in Leisure-led Development, celebrated for its thoughtful integration of community and recreation. Judges praised the projects for their “sensitive and humble interventions” and highlighted their attention to cultural and environmental contexts. Meru in Kenya by SAOTA took home the award in the House category, with its design centered on both modernity and sensitivity to the Kenyan landscape and lifestyle.
- Competition Entries
- Winner: Retal Mosque in Saudi Arabia by Pace
- Civic
- Winner: Küçükçekmece Djemevi in Turkey by EAA-Emre Arolat Architecture
- Infrastructure
- Winner: Chaarkhaan Bridge in Iran by Bonsar Architects
- Leisure-led Development
- Winner: Unity Arena in Norway by Rodeo Architects
- Masterplanning
- Winner: The Greenline Project Master Plan in Australia by ASPECT Studios, TCL, City of Melbourn
- Office
- Winner: Institut Thoracique de Montréal – Breathing life into an abandoned urban hospital in Canada by NEUF architect(e)s
- Sport
- Winner: Coronation Park Sports & Recreation Centre in Canada by hcma & Dub Architects in conjunction with FaulknerBrowns Architects
- Commercial Mixed-Use
- Winner: Shoupé mixed-use project in Iran by KanLan Studio
- Culture
- Winner: Creative Cluster in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia by IND`
- Education
- Winner: University of Tasmania Forestry Building in Australia by Woods Bagot
- Experimental
- Winner: AGRITECTURE in India by tHE gRID Architects
- Health
- Winner: Tatamá Hospital in Columbia by aRE Arquitectura en estudio, OPUS diseño arquitectura paisaje
- House
- Winner: Meru in Kenya by SAOTA
- Residential
- Winner: Regent’s View Bethnal Green in the United Kingdom by RSHP
Inside
The Inside Festival, focused on interior spaces, also unveiled its winners, showcasing design at its most intimate and expressive. Fasano Itaim in Brazil by Studio MK27 captured the Hotels category, winning praise for its luxurious yet understated interiors. Meanwhile, Fender Flagship Tokyo in Japan impressed judges with its seamless representation of brand identity, creating a unique retail experience that resonates with music lovers. Hong Kong’s Backpack Housing by HKU/Superposition, winner in the Temporary/Meanwhile Use category, was celebrated as a “clever and elegant” solution to address homelessness, proving that architecture can offer innovative answers to social issues.
- Hotels
- Winner: Fasano Itaim in Brazil by Studio MK27
- Workplace (Large)
- Winner: CSL Global Headquarters and Centre for Research & Development in Australia by Cox Architecture
- Workplace (Small)
- Winner: Penn Color Technology Center in Singapore by DP Design
- Public Buildings
- Winner: Embassy of Australia, Washington D.C. in the United States by Bates Smart
- Bars & Restaurants
- Winner: Pang Mei Noodle Bar LFS in China by Office A10
- Education
- Winner: WSU Bankstown City Campus in Australia by HDR Pty Ltd
- Residential
- Winner: twentyfour in Malta by 3DM Architecture
- Retail
- Winner: Fender Flagship Tokyo in Japan by Klein Dytham architecture
- Temporary/Meanwhile Use
- Winner: Backpack Housing in Hong Kong by HKU/Superposition
The festival live judging format is engaging and allows projects to shine in real-time. This dynamic approach brings a special energy to the festival, highlighting the creativity and talent behind each project. It successfully brings together projects from all around the world, promoting global diversity in architecture. It’s a celebration of different cultural and geographic perspectives, but there’s also potential to spotlight even more local design influences that reflect the unique character of each place. By encouraging projects to embrace local traditions and contexts, the festival could further enhance its role as a platform for showcasing authentic, regionally rooted designs
The 2024 World Architecture Festival, once again, stands as a beacon for architectural excellence, sparking creativity and inspiring innovation. By embracing even more diverse influences, deepening its commitment to long-term sustainability, and broadening its geographic reach, the WAF can continue to lead the way in celebrating architecture that is not only groundbreaking but also inclusive, responsible, and deeply impactful.
