Every year, the World Architecture Festival (WAF) brings together the world’s most visionary architects, designers, and industry leaders for three days of innovation, competition, and inspiration. At its heart lies a unique, live-judged awards program — finalists step into crit rooms, present their work face-to-face with expert juries, and vie for top honors. Now in its 18th year, WAF continues to shape the future of architecture by honoring excellence and fostering global dialogue.

In 2025, the festival marks a historic milestone: for the first time ever, it is being held in the United States, at the iconic Miami Beach Convention Center from 12–14 November. 

1. The Origin & History of WAF

Founded in 2008 by Paul Finch and Jeremy Melvin, WAF was created as a global forum to showcase cutting-edge architecture and design. 

Over the years, the festival has grown into the largest live-judged architecture event in the world. 

The festival has traveled across major global cities: from Barcelona in the early editions, to Singapore (several editions), Berlin, and more. 

Notably, WAF 2025 is the first edition held in the U.S., signifying the event’s increasingly global reach. 

2. Why WAF Is Unique — What Sets It Apart

Live Judging: Unlike many award programs, all finalists present live in front of expert juries and a room of peers. 

Peer-to-Peer Learning: The “crit rooms” format fosters interaction, feedback, and discussion — it's not just about winning but learning. 

Scale and Impact:

Thousands of architects, designers, clients, and suppliers attend. 

The judging panel typically includes 140+ international experts, spanning architecture, design, journalism, and industry. 

Global Visibility:

Winners and finalists get permanent listing in the World Buildings Directory, increasing exposure. 

Press coverage is massive: WAF generates hundreds of international media stories each year. 

3. The Structure & Awards Program

Categories

WAF hosts several main categories: 

1. Completed Building

Civic & Community, Creative Re-use, Transport, Schools, Retail, Housing, etc. 

2. Future Project

Masterplanning, Infrastructure, Experimental, Commercial Mixed-Use, Sport, etc. 

3. Landscape

Recognizes innovative designs in outdoor spaces. 

4. WAF Interiors

Formerly “Inside,” includes categories like Workplace, Residential, Public Buildings, and even Yachts / Ships. 

Special Prizes

Beyond the standard categories, WAF also awards special prizes that highlight exceptional innovation in:

• Natural Light (sponsored by VELUX)

• Sustainability (Rockwool)

• Timber, Stone, Colour, among others 

WAFX Prize

WAFX is a parallel prize that celebrates future-project proposals tackling major global issues: climate change, health, ethics, resilience, and more. 

Winners are drawn from the Future Projects shortlist — no extra submission required. 

These winners present live on the Festival Hall Stage, and an overall WAFX winner is crowned at the Gala Dinner. 

Entry & Judging Process

Entrants submit projects (with images, plans, and summary) online. 

For Completed Building / Landscape / Interiors, projects must be completed within a specific timeframe (for 2025: between 1 Jan 2024 and 1 June 2025) to be eligible. 

Finalists are selected, then present live (10-minute presentation + Q&A) in “crit rooms” during the festival. 

Category winners then present again for overall awards, and special prize winners are announced at the Gala Dinner. 

4. WAF 2025: Key Highlights

Location: Miami Beach Convention Center, in the iconic Art Deco District. 

Dates: 12–14 November 2025. 

Shortlist:

• 460+ projects:

• ~235 Completed Buildings

• ~157 Future Projects

• 64 Interiors 

Representation: Architects from the U.S., UK, China, Australia, India, Canada, Japan, UAE, Turkey, Singapore, and more. 

Judging: Over 160 international jurors evaluating live presentations. 

2025 Winners:

World Building of the Year — The Holy Redeemer Church & Community Centre in La Laguna by Fernando Menis. 

• The Holy Redeemer Church & Community Centre

• The Holy Redeemer Church & Community Centre

World Interior of the Year — Fractal Chapel by INNOCAD Architecture (Graz) 

• Fractal Chapel

Future Project of the Year — Gelephu International Airport by BIG (Bhutan) 

• Gelephu International Airport

• Gelephu International Airport

Landscape of the Year — Embracing Flood by Turenscape 

• Embracing Flood by Turenscape

WAFX Winner (Digital Worlds) — Rio AI City integrating digital infrastructure and green urbanism. 

• Rio AI City

Special Prizes: Projects awarded for sustainability, timber use, natural light, color, and stone. 

New in 2025:

40 Under 40 North America program — celebrating top young architects in U.S., Canada, Mexico. 

WAF Interiors now includes a yacht / ship / houseboat category. 

5. Why WAF Is Critically Important in Architecture

1. Global Benchmark

Winning or being shortlisted at WAF is a major mark of prestige. It signals global recognition.

2. Innovation & Trendsetting

The festival highlights architecture that addresses climate resilience, social value, and future mobility.

Through WAFX, WAF encourages architects to tackle existential issues like climate change and public health.

3. Learning & Networking

Attendees benefit from seminars, keynote talks, and peer feedback.

For emerging practices, the live-judging format helps refine ideas and connect with potential collaborators.

4. Media & Exposure

WAF’s winners are widely covered by global media — giving projects huge visibility. 

Listing in the World Buildings Directory ensures long-term exposure. 

5. Pushing Architecture’s Role in Society

Through categories like “creative re-use” and “future projects,” WAF encourages sustainable, socially conscious architecture.

The live-crit format ensures that design isn’t just aesthetic — it’s deeply engaged with context, community, and future challenges.

6. Criticisms & Challenges

Pay-to-Play Concerns: Some critics note that architecture awards (including WAF) involve entry fees and travel costs, potentially favoring well-resourced firms. 

Accessibility: Because finalists must present physically, firms from less-represented or lower-income regions may face barriers.

Sustainability vs. Spectacle: As with many international architectural awards, there is a tension between “iconic” design and genuine sustainable impact.

Conclusion

The World Architecture Festival (WAF) remains one of the most influential events in the architecture world — not just for its awards, but for its role as a global melting pot of ideas, critique, and innovation. As WAF 2025 makes its U.S. debut in Miami, the festival’s legacy continues to grow, spotlighting projects that reshape how we live, build, and think about the future.