Fresh from Singapore, the first round of winners from day one of the World Architecture Festival have been announced.

After a day packed full of crits, talks and chance encounters, the first lot of winners has been announced at the 2024 World Architecture Festival (WAF). Among the high-calibre projects recognised on the global stage at Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands were some standout works from our Asia-Pacific region, with a number of Australian practices doing particularly well.

Notably, a number of previous INDE.Awards winners have now been recognised here  at WAF – Nightingale by Architecture architecture, Austin Maynard Architects, Breathe, Clare Cousins Architects, Hayball, Kennedy Nolan and Darlington Public School by fjcstudio.

Another notable inclusion in the presentations at WAF was Burnt Earth Beach House by Wardle, which has made the Winnings x Habitus House of the Year 2024 shortlist, while Nokha Village Community Centre by Sanjay Puri Architects was highly commended. 

As expected, Australia stood tall in education and sport sectors in particular. Alongside the fjcstudio winner with a commendation was St Patrick’s College: Scientia Building by BVN. Meanwhile, Parramatta Aquatic Centre by Grimshaw and ABA with McGregor Coxall was recognised too.

Turning to workplace design, CSL Global Headquarters and Centre for Research & Development in Australia by Cox Architecture was another standout winner. Judges for the Inside categories commented on the “elegant and long-lasting additions to the local and international market” as well as “smart spatial connections, and use of central stairs to connect all interior spaces.” As for the Completed Buildings categories, it was noted that a “seamless integration of landscape and architecture” as well as “innovative inclusive and sustainable design practices” and “playful use of light and shadows” marked projects out.

The full list of winners and commendations is below:

Civic and Community: National Star Observatory in Cyprus by Kyriakos Tsolakis Architects. Nokha Village Community Centre in India by Sanjay Puri Architects was highly commended. 

Creative Re-use: Pumphouse in Canada by 5468796 Architecture. Bait Mohammed Bin Khalifa in the United Arab Emirates by X Architects and Kaarestan Event Space in Iran by Persian Garden Studio were both highly commended. 

Culture: Istanbul Modern (Istanbul Museum of Modern Art) in Turkey by Renzo Piano Building Workshop. Seddülbahir Fortress in Turkey by KOOP Architects, AOMTD (Arzu Ozsavasci Architecture) was highly commended. 

House & Villa (Urban) supported by GROHE: Arthur Residence in Canada by 5468796 Architecture.

House & Villa (Rural/Coastal) supported by GROHE: Touching Eden House in Singapore by Wallflower Architecture + Design. Village House in Brazil by Studio MK27 and OH HO Residence in India by Play Architecture were both highly commended.

Housing supported by GROHE: Nightingale Village in Australia by Architecture architecture, Austin Maynard Architects, Breathe, Clare Cousins Architects, Hayball, Kennedy Nolan. London Square, Bermondsey in the United Kingdom by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris was highly commended. 

Office: Forskaren  in Sweden by 3XN. The Black and White Building located in the United Kingdom by Waugh Thistleton Architects was highly commended. 

Production, Energy and Logistics: Kalyon Karapınar 1.350 MWp SPP – Central Control Building in Turkey by Bilgin Architects.

School: Darlington Public School in Australia by fjcstudio. St Patrick’s College: Scientia Building in Australia by BVN was highly commended. 

Sport: Parramatta Aquatic Centre in Australia by Grimshaw and ABA with McGregor Coxall. Češča Vas Pool Complex in Slovenia by ENOTA was highly commended. 

Hotels: Fasano Itaim in Brazil by Studio MK27. The Blue by Just Inn in Taiwan by Tszwai So was highly commended. 

Workplace (Large): CSL Global Headquarters and Centre for Research & Development in Australia by Cox Architecture. Google Flour Mills in Ireland by Henry J Lyons was highly commended. 

Workplace (Small): Penn Color Technology Center in Singapore by DP Design. CFE in France by LOCAL was highly commended. 

Written by Timothy Alouani-Roby

Main image: WAF Winner from Day 1: Nightingale Village in Australia by Architecture architecture, Austin Maynard Architects, Breathe, Clare Cousins Architects, Hayball, Kennedy Nolan.