Alongside the main WAF Award categories are a host of Special Prizes awarded to projects that demonstrate excellence in a particular area. These prizes are awarded to projects submitted into the main WAF Awards.
How do I enter?
WAF's special prizes are awarded to projects who enter into the main WAF Awards. Entrants do not have to pay any additional fees to be considered for the prizes. Simply tick the relevant box on the entry form when submitting and increase your chances of winning at WAF! All finalists will go on to compete at the live-judging at WAF. The overall winner will be revealed at the Gala Dinner on the final day.
WAF also runs serveral other competitions including the GROHE Water Prize, The Architecture Drawing Prize, 40 under 40, Student Charrette and The Architecture Book of the Year Award.
The Special Prizes
Best use of Natural Light
Supported by VELUX
This prize is to award completed building projects that showcase a unique use of a day-lighting. Special emphasis will be put on projects that consider the impact on human well-being. View the 2026 shortlist.
Best use of Stone
Supported by Turkish Stones
This prize is to award completed building projects that demonstrate innovative and exemplary use of stone within the project. View the 2026 shortlist.
The Sustainability Prize
Supported by ROCKWOOL
Celebrating completed building projects that demonstrate new ways in which sustainable materials are deployed in projects of any scale including the brief, design, materials, construction, and longevity. View the 2026 shortlist.
The American Beauty Prize
Supported by the Royal Fine Art Commission Trust
This award will be made to a completed building which ‘raises the spirits.’ The American Building Beauty Prize finalists are chosen from all shortlisted projects within the completed building categories and the winner will be announced during WAF 2026. View the 2026 shortlist.
GLOW Award
Supported by Deltalight
Green Lighting Outstanding Work. The Deltalight GLOW Award is intended to promote energy awareness and economy. This prize is open to shortlisted Completed Building and Interior projects. There is no additional fee to enter this competition. Entries are open until 25 September.
Best use of Colour
The Best use of Colour prize celebrates the creative use of colour in architecture, both inside and out. View the 2026 shortlist.
Small Project of the Year
Any completed buildings project can be entered, the only criteria is that it is judged to be small for type! View the 2026 shortlist.
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.
2026 winners
The winning projects for each of the 2026 WAFX categories have been revealed, they will go on to present their projects live on the Festival Hall Stage at WAF 2026. The overall WAFX winner will be revealed at the Gala Dinner on the final day of the festival.
2025 winners
View the WAFX winner from 2025 and see who took home to overall winner prize.
Additional Prizes
The Architecture Drawing Prize
Supported by Iris Ceramica Group
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 the 2026 competition are now open.
40 Under 40 South America
WAF will once again present its 40 Under 40 programme, this time we are partnering with Architecture Hunter and shining a light on South America. The 2026 edition will highlight 40 outstanding individuals from across the region. Entries now open.
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