world architecture festival announces 2017 awards shortlist

the world architecture festival (WAF) celebrates its tenth edition in berlin in november this year.

the world architecture festival (WAF) celebrates its tenth edition in berlin in november this year. with the 2017 awards programme receiving more entries than ever before. the awards shortlist revealed is an international collection; from a floating student accommodation in copenhagen to a extending to futuristic pharmacy in japan. the diverse list include architectural practices from 51 different nations and projects based across 68 countries.

all types and sizes of architectural projects are represented on the 434-strong shortlist, ranging from small family homes, to schools, stations, museums, large infrastructure and landscape projects. this year’s world architecture festival shortlist sees major world architects included: zaha hadid architects, BIG, neri & hu, allford hall monaghan morris, AL_A, nikken sekkei, rafael vinoly architects, grimshaw, and heatherwick studio and smaller practices.

‘this year’s shortlist has a hugely diverse geographic range. the use of water has been striking and there is evidence of real interest in climate modifications using novel techniques. colorful architecture makes a strong showing and many of the smaller projects we have shortlisted will punch above their weight. we look forward to welcoming shortlisted architects to our tenth edition in berlin this november.’ – paul finch, WAF programme director

presentations of shortlisted designs will be made to more than 100 international judges. the 2017 completed buildings ‘super jury’ which will decide the best of 18 category winners, will be headed by robert ivy, chief executive officer of the american institute of architects and former editor of architectural record; nathalie de vries, director & co-founder of dutch practice mvrdv; ian ritchie, founder of london-based ian ritchie architects; christoph ingenhoven, founder of german practice ingenhoven architects; and wong mun summ, founder director of singapore practice WOHA.