Day One Winners of World Architecture Festival 2024 Revealed

Completed Buildings – Highly Commended Ararat House by SJB Photo credit: Martina Gemmola

Completed Buildings – Highly Commended Bait Mohammed Bin Khalifa by X Architects Photo credit: Fernando Guerra

Completed Buildings – Highly Commended ?eš?a Vas Pool Complex by ENOTA Photo credit: Miran Kambi?

Completed Buildings – Highly Commended Kaarestan Event Space by Persian Garden Studio Photo credit: BLUPIX STUDIO And DEED STUDIO

Completed Buildings – Highly Commended London Square, Bermondsey by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris Photo credit: Tim Soar Photography

Completed Buildings – Highly Commended Nokha Village Community Centre by Sanjay Puri Architects Photo credit: Vinay Panjwani

Completed Buildings – Highly Commended OH HO Residence by Play Architecture Photo credit: Archana Vikram

Completed Buildings – Highly Commended QR3D by Park + Associates Photo credit: Derek Swalwell

Completed Buildings – Highly Commended Seddülbahir Fortress by KOOP Architects _ AOMTD (Arzu Ozsavasci Architecture) Photo credit: Egemen Karakaya

Completed Buildings – Highly Commended The Black and White Building by Waugh Thistleton Architects Photo credit: Jake Curtis

Completed Buildings – Highly Commended Village House by Studio mk27 Photo credit: Fernando Guerra

Completed Buildings – Highly Commended St. Patricks College – Scientia Building by BVN Photo credit: Tom Roe

Completed Buildings – Kalyon Karap?nar 1.350 MWp SPP – Central Control Building by Bilgin Architects Photo credit: Egemen Karakaya

Completed Buildings – National Star Observatory by Kyriakos Tsolakis Architects Photo credit: Aaron Miles

Completed Buildings – Nightingale Village by Architecture architecture, Austin Maynard Architects, Breathe, Clare Cousins Architects, Hayball, Kennedy Nolan

Completed Buildings – Parramatta Aquatic Centre by Grimshaw and ABA with McGregor Coxall Photo credit: Peter Bennetts

Completed Buildings – Pumphouse by 5468796 Architecture Photo credit: James Brittain

Completed Buildings – Touching Eden House by Wallflower Architecture + Design Photo credit: Finbarr Fallon

Completed Buildings – Arthur Residence by 5468796 Architecture Photo credit: James Brittain

Completed Buildings – Darlington Public School by fjcstudio Photo credit: Brett Boardman

The World Architecture Festival (WAF) 2024, held at Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands, kicked off with an exciting reveal of the Day One winners. These projects, selected from the vast pool of 470 shortlisted entries, highlight the diverse and innovative nature of contemporary architecture. The winning designs span multiple categories, from civic buildings to cultural landmarks and future-forward concepts. Here’s a look at some of the standout winners, showcasing the global reach and creativity of architecture today.

Celebrating Innovation in Completed Buildings

The “Completed Buildings” category featured a mix of civic, residential, and commercial spaces that pushed the boundaries of design. Among the standouts was the National Star Observatory in Cyprus, designed by Kyriakos Tsolakis Architects, which impressed judges with its seamless integration into the landscape. This project exemplifies the importance of aligning architectural form with environmental context, a theme that resonated throughout many of the winners.

Other notable winners included Arthur Residence in Canada, a unique take on urban living by 5468796 Architecture, and the Touching Eden House in Singapore by Wallflower Architecture + Design, which stood out for its sensitive approach to natural elements. The judges were particularly drawn to the creative use of materials, light, and space, as well as sustainable design strategies that reflect the growing global emphasis on environmental responsibility.

Future-Focused Projects Pushing the Envelope

The “Future Projects” category highlighted visionary designs that represent the cutting edge of architectural thinking. The Retal Mosque in Saudi Arabia by Pace is one such example, which combines cultural heritage with modern technologies to create a space for reflection and community. The project’s thoughtful design, emphasizing serenity and connection, captured the judges’ attention as a model for future civic and religious buildings.

Another future-forward project that garnered praise was Küçükçekmece Djemevi in Turkey, designed by EAA-Emre Arolat Architecture. This innovative civic structure is a reimagining of traditional architecture, showcasing how ancient forms can be reinterpreted in contemporary contexts. Both projects reflect a broader trend in the competition: architects finding new ways to blend tradition with forward-thinking design concepts.

Inside Spaces That Redefine Functionality

While architecture often focuses on external facades, the “Inside” category delved into the intricacies of interior spaces. Fasano Itaim in Brazil, designed by Studio MK27, stood out as a sophisticated and functional hotel that seamlessly integrates local materials and modern aesthetics. The judges were particularly impressed by the project’s approach to blending luxury with sustainable practices—no easy feat in high-end hospitality design.

In a different context, the CSL Global Headquarters in Australia by Cox Architecture redefined what a workplace can be, with an emphasis on flexible, collaborative spaces that prioritize employee wellbeing. The smart design decisions in these interiors are setting new benchmarks for workplace environments worldwide, showing that how we work and live can be greatly enhanced by thoughtful design.

Sustainability and Contextual Design Take Center Stage

A recurring theme in this year’s winners was the emphasis on sustainability and the integration of landscape with architecture. From civic spaces like the National Star Observatory to residential designs such as Touching Eden House, architects demonstrated a growing commitment to designing with nature in mind. This is especially relevant in the context of climate change and the ongoing push for eco-conscious building practices. The use of local materials, sustainable construction techniques, and green technologies was a common thread across many projects.

Moreover, the seamless integration of architecture with its surroundings was praised by the judges. The Nightingale Village in Australia, for example, combined innovative urban planning with a deep respect for the natural environment. Similarly, Eden Project Dundee in Scotland stood out for its approach to master planning, blending green spaces with functional, sustainable urban designs.

Completed Buildings – Forskaren by 3XN Photo credit: Marcus Stork

Completed Buildings – Istanbul Modern by Renzo Piano Building Workshop Photo credit: Cemal Emden

Highly Commended – Aarhus Harbor Masterplan by BIG – Bjarke Ingels Group

Highly Commended – Auckland Stadium At Quay Park by HKS Photo credit: HKS

Highly Commended – Eden Project Dundee by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios and Nicoll Russell Studios Photo credit: FCBStudios

Highly Commended – Edge Shoreditch by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris Photo credit: Secchi Smith

Highly Commended – Knowledge Economic City by DLR Group Photo credit: DLR Group

Highly Commended – Minerva by Woods Bagot Photo credit: Woods Bagot

Chaarkhaan Bridge by Bonsar Architects Photo credit: Bonsar Architects

Coronation Park Sports & Recreation Centre by hcma & Dub Architects in conjunction with FaulknerBrowns Architects Photo credit: VISMO, courtesy of hcma + Dub Architects

Institut Thoracique de Montre?al – Breathing life into an abandoned urban hospital by NEUF architect(e)s Photo credit: NEUF architect(e)s

Retal Mosque by Pace Photo credit: Pace

The Greenline Project Master Plan by ASPECT Studios, TCL, City of Melbourne Photo credit: ASPECT x TCL, City of Melbourne

Highly Commended – CFE by LOCAL Photo credit: BCDG Studio

Highly Commended – Google Flour Mills by Henry J Lyons Photo credit: Donal Murphy

Highly Commended – The Blue by Just Inn by Tszwai So Photo credit: Yu Zhi Lin

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Fasano Itaim by Studio MK27 Photo credit: Fran Parente

Penn Color Technology Center by DP Design Photo credit: Mazterz, Courtesy of DP Design

Conclusion

The Day One winners of the World Architecture Festival 2024 offer a glimpse into the future of design. From completed projects that embody a fusion of sustainability and creativity to future concepts that push the limits of what’s possible, these designs highlight the diverse ways architects are responding to the challenges of our time. Whether it’s through the thoughtful reimagining of historical structures or the creation of spaces that prioritize the environment and community, these projects reflect the values that are shaping architecture today and into the future.