World Architecture Festival 2023 Reveals the Year’s Leading Projects
World Architecture Festival 2023 were announced following the opening day of live jury presentations at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore. Hundreds of shortlisted projects from across the globe competed in what remains the world’s largest live-judged architectural event. Among the standout winners were internationally acclaimed practices including MAD Architects, Woods Bagot, and Nextoffice, Studio of Architectural Research & Design, each recognized for projects that demonstrate innovation, design excellence, and a forward-looking vision for the built environment.
Civic and Community: Taiwan – Reyhanli Centre for World Citizens by Chen-Yu Chiu and the team of Studio Cho in Turkey
Creative Re-use: Kaomai Museums and Tea Barn by PAVA architects in Thailand
Culture:Ravenscar House by Patterson Associates Architects in New Zealand
Display: Turrell Pavilion by Studio MK27in the Maldives
House and Villa, sponsored by GROHE: Veil House by 5468796Architecture in Canada
Housing, sponsored by GROHE: 547 West 47th Street – The West Residential by concrete Amsterdam in United States
Office: Surat Diamond Bourse by Morphogenesis in India
Production, Energy and Logistics: THE COURTYARD CCR LAB by SANJAY PURI ARCHITECTS in India
School: Huizhen High School by Approach Design Studio/Zhejiang University of Technology Engineering Design Group Co. Ltd in China
Sport: Quzhou Stadium by MAD Architects in China
Global Design Excellence Across Continents
As the festival progressed, a second round of category winners further highlighted the diversity of contemporary architecture. Projects from Australia, Iran, the United Kingdom, and many other countries showcased a broad spectrum of approaches ranging from urban regeneration and sustainable design to cultural architecture and experimental forms. Together, these award-winning works illustrate how architecture continues to respond to environmental, social, and technological challenges while shaping new possibilities for cities, communities, and future generations.
COMPLETED BUILDINGS
Health:Victorian Heart Hospital by Conrad Gargett (now merged with Architectus) + Wardle in Australia
Religion: Santa Maria Goretti Church by Mario Cucinella Architects in Italy
Higher Education & Research: Boola Katitjin by Lyons with Silver Thomas Hanley, Officer Woods, The Fulcrum Agency and Aspect Studios in Australia
Hotel & Leisure, sponsored by GROHE: Lanserhof Sylt by ingenhoven associates GmbH in Germany
Mixed-Use: Battersea Power Station Phase Two by WilkinsonEyre in United Kingdom
Retrofit: Vast Gallery & Artist Residency by Persian Garden Studio in Iran
Shopping: Shanghai Suhe MixC World by Kokaistudios in China
Transport: Elizabeth Line by Grimshaw in the United Kingdom
▏The judges of the Completed Buildings categories reflected on the considered and beautiful articulation of this year’s projects. Overall, they were impressed with the timeless quality, spatial composition and technical resolutions.
Judges felt that many of the winning projects were city-changing with thoughtful responses to historical elements including preservation of found architecture, retrofitting and change of use – all making a significant contribution to their locales.
