World Architecture Festival (WAF) is home to the world’s largest live-judged architecture awards, bringing the global architectural community together to present, debate, and celebrate the very best in design. Unlike any other programme, finalists defend their projects live in front of an international jury, creating a dynamic, transparent, and truly unforgettable competition experience. Entries are now open across 43 categories from completed buildings and future projects to interiors and landscape.

The WAF Awards

What are the WAF Awards?

WAF is the only architectural awards programme where all finalists present their projects LIVE to a panel of judges and an audience of peers at the festival. This distinctive peer-to-peer judging experience enables participants and attendees to explore and exchange the most groundbreaking architectural innovations from around the world! 

Why enter the WAF Awards?

Entering WAF gives you powerful global visibility and recognition, with extensive international media coverage, permanent digital archiving of your project, and opportunities to be featured in films, podcasts, and specialist publications. You’ll gain direct insight from world-renowned judges, strengthen your professional profile, and showcase your work on a truly global stage.

Enter now

All finalists will present their project LIVE to a panel of expert judges and the WAF audience. Start your entry now and get a head start on the competition! Complete your awards entry by Friday 13 March and save £200.

Entry tips

Tips for your entry boards and live presentation at WAF.

FAQs

Find out the answers to our most asked questions.

2025 Shortlist

View the projects that made the 2025 shortlist and see what it take to become a WAF finalist!

WAF 2025 took place in Miami - congratulations to all the winners!

From churches and chapels to airports and ecological spaces, view all of the projects that took home the coveted trophies in WAF's inaugural year in the USA.

WAF Interiors

What is WAF Interiors?

Formerly known as Inside, WAF Interiors is the sister awards programme of WAF and celebrates the finest examples of global interior design with 9 dedicated categories. Finalists go on to present LIVE at the festival with category winners going on to compete for the prestigious title of World Interior of the Year.

Enter Now

With 9 dedicated categories from Bars and Restaurants to Workplace, there is a WAF Interiors category for every project. Enter now for your chance to make the shortlist!

2025 Shortlist

64 interior designs were revealed as the 2025 WAF Interiors shortlist! All the finalists went on to present their projects in live-judging sessions at WAF Miami in November 2025.

WAFX Awards

What is WAFX?

Launched in WAF’s 10th year, WAFX celebrates international proposals which embrace cutting-edge design addressing major world issues. Ranging from tackling the climate emergency to building community resilience.

The WAFX entry process

All WAFX winners are chosen from the WAF Future Projects shortlist with no additional cost or material needed from the entrant. Winners will go on to present their project live at WAF with an overall WAFX winner announced at the Gala Dinner.

2025 winners

The winning projects for each of the 2025 WAFX categories have been revealed, they all went on to present their projects live on the Festival Hall Stage at WAF Miami. The overall WAFX winner was revealed at the Gala Dinner on the final day of the festival.

Special Prizes

Recognising excellence

Alongside the WAF award categories are a host of special prizes awarded to projects from the main shortlist. Entrants do not have to pay any additional fees to be considered for the prizes.

The 2026 special prizes

Best Use of Natural Light, supported by VELUX, The Sustainability Prize supported by ROCKWOOL, Best use of Stone Supported by Turkish Stones, Best Use of Colour Prize, Best use of Timber and Small Project of the Year are this year's special prizes. The finalists will be revelaed in August!

2025 winners

From Lorcan O'Herlihy Architects to Atelier Global Limited, see all of the 2025 special prize winners.

Other WAF Competitions

The Architecture Drawing Prize

Curated by WAF, Make Architects and Sir John Soane’s Museum, TADP celebrates the importance of drawing as a tool in capturing architectural ideas. Entries for 2026 will open soon!

40 Under 40 North America

In 2025, World Architecture Festival and The Architect’s Newspaper partnered to launch 40 Under 40 North America, highlighting 40 outstanding young architects from the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Architecture Book of the Year Award

Publishers are invited to submit entries to the Architecture Book of the Year Award programme.

Student Charrette

Supported by Broadway Malyan

WAF's global student design charrette is an integral part of the Festival. Student teams are invited to submit proposals and present live during the festival.

The GROHE Water Prize

Supported by GROHE

The Water Prize, supported by GROHE, awards visionary projects that are pushing the boundaries of design within the built environment and water.  

WAFN

WAFN is a monthly newsletter including building visits, architectural commentary and book reviews. Read the latest articles and subscribe to always receive the latest edition.

Letters from London

Hear from WAF’s Programme Director, Paul Finch, in his monthly blog on architecture, life in London and much more.

Films

Hear from previous winners and keynote speakers by watching WAF’s latest films. Sign up and subscribe for the latest media.

WAF 2025 Photos

Take a look at the photos from last year's event in Miami!

2025 Shortlist Photo Gallery

If you had your photo taken by our famous shortlist wall at WAF 2025 in Singapore then you can download your image here!

Winners Catalogues

Browse our online winners catalogues to discover previous WAF winners, complete with images and descriptions of each project.

World Buildings Directory

The World Buildings Directory is the only place to view projects entered into past and present WAF awards. The site includes some of the most innovative and ground-breaking designs in the world.

WAF’s history

World Architecture Festival has been bringing together the global architecture community for 18 years. Each year the event sees 1000's of architects, designers and suppliers come together.

Entry FAQs

Need help with your entry? You may be able to find the answers to your questions in our handy entry FAQs.

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