Words and images World Architecture Festival (WAF 2026)
Editing The Kanto team
It’s officially time for the 2026 World Architecture Festival! This edition is set to happen from November 18 to November 20, 2026, at the BCCI centre in Fort Lauderdale, following WAF’s Miami, USA debut in 2025.
“Often described as the ‘Venice of North America’, it has 165 miles of inland waterways, a spectacular natural feature which attracts both residents and visitors, many of whom arrive on the cruisers which form a distinctive part of the Fort Lauderdale skyline,” WAF organizers shared. “They can be seen from our splendid venue, the BCCI centre, which has a host of good hotels both next door and in its general vicinity.”
WAF has been gathering architects and designers from all over the world since 2008. Participating practices and designers are given the opportunity to gain global recognition and expand their network, while finalists get to present their projects live in front of their architecture and design peers and heroes. Category winners are announced per day, and the biggest awards are given at the end of the festival.
“We look forward to renewing our acquaintance with many of the architects who attended WAF for the first time in 2025, and of course with our broader global audience who have given us such great support in recent years,” said WAF Programme Director Paul Finch. “I feel confident that WAF 2026 will be another great success, as we keep the flag of great architecture flying! I look forward to seeing your entries.”
Keep reading for a quick entry guide, tips, and more for WAF 2026!
WAF is it worth?
The WAF awards program is unique as it requires all finalists to present their projects live to a panel of judges during the festival. This equal platform allows both new and established professionals in the industry to showcase their work. The judging panel comprises over 140 leading architects, designers, journalists, and industry experts.
Apart from the competition, the festival also offers a series of talks and keynotes by industry luminaries, providing participants with valuable insights to inspire and strengthen their future work. Delegates are encouraged to socialize during the three-day event, allowing them to build an international network ripe for discourse and collaboration. The participation of industry brands, both local and global, further exposes the participants to the pulse of the design world, with interactive product displays, demonstrations, and lounges for talks and discussions.
Who can join WAF?
Architects, interior designers, developers, and contractors from all over the world are welcome to WAF! Other associated organizations, including clients, may also enter on behalf of the architect if provided with consent.
Which projects qualify for WAF 2026?
For the completed buildings/landscape and interior projects, WAF accepts those completed between January 1, 2025, and June 1, 2026. Future projects do not require a completion date to qualify. The festival says that “all designs must be by professionals whose qualifications are recognized by their local accreditation organization.”
Entry requirements
WAF Program Director Paul Finch shared a few tips on strengthening WAF submissions. We summarized them into four points:
- A project description is necessary! Provide at least 200 to 500 words.
- Images, of course. Choose one hero image and include up to six (6) more project photos.
- Project plans/sections are also welcome! WAF allows you to upload three (3).
- Your most creative A2 entry boards, which the judges will solely use in deciding the shortlist. Make sure that your two boards contain only relevant text, images, and plans about your project entry. Do not include any practice information on the designs.
You may read the full WAF Tips article here.
Are there steps to follow in entering WAF and INSIDE?
- Create your account and choose among the 43 categories.
- Provide the details of your project: description, images, and plans.
- Upload your boards. WAF says that the boards should be less than 40 MB each. Preferred file types are jpeg, png, or pdf.
- Read and agree to the terms and conditions, then make your payment.
Submission notes
Like last year’s edition, you can submit your project with just a few basic details and benefit from the early entry discount! WAF is allowing participants to upload partial information and incomplete boards upon submission. You can edit your entry even after payment. Just make sure to finalize everything by April 24, 2026!
Entry rates
For entries:
Early Bird rates (until March 13)
- WAF Early Bird entry: £795
- Inside Early Bird entry: £645
Standard rates (until April 24)
- WAF Standard: £895
- Inside Standard: £745
Late rates (after April 24)
- WAF Standard: £995
- Inside Standard: £845
How will I know if I’m shortlisted?
WAF will announce the shortlist in July 2026. The festival will reach out to you should you be selected as a finalist. Take note that all finalists have to purchase two tickets to attend and present their project live in Miami.
What happens when you win the WAF?
All winners will be recognized and will receive their WAF trophies during the Gala Night on November 20, 2026. Special prizes for outstanding projects will also be given here.
A complimentary press kit distribution will also be done by WAF, courtesy of their partner, v2com newswire. v2com, “the international newswire specializing in design and architecture.” They will share each winning press kit with over 7,000 print and digital publications in more than 100 countries.
Important dates
- March 14 – Deadline for early bird submissions
- April 24 – Entries close
- June – Shortlisting
- July – Shortlist announcement
- November 18 to 20 – WAF 2026 in Fort Lauderdale
- November 20 – Gala night and overall winners’ announcement
All finalists have to purchase a minimum of two delegate tickets to attend and present their projects live at the Festival. Delegate tickets will be available to purchase from January and prices start from £999.
Filipino representation at WAF
The first Filipino finalist at the World Architecture Festival is Manny Miñana, who was shortlisted in 2014. We’ve built a supportive and hopeful community since, with WAF’s founding sponsor GROHE and Kanto’s editors sending off and hosting private practice crits for finalists every year.
We made Filipino history in Miami with two category wins in a single WAF edition! Luana Farms by Plontur Group was declared the Winner, Future Projects, Leisure-led Development Category, and Acclimated Sports Hall by Avally Design Studio was declared the Winner, Future Projects, Sports Category.
While the three Philippine schools representing us at the Student Charette encountered visa issues and failed to reach the festival this year, WAF Programme Director Paul Finch took a moment to express his frustration about the situation, assuring us that he will invite the schools back in the future.
#KantoWAF2026
For a sixth consecutive year, Kanto is proud to participate in the World Architecture Festival as an official media partner. And of course, we’d like to get you in on the fun in our own little way! See you at the fort lines come November and have a 20% discount on your WAF competition entry or delegate fee on us!
Enter this code upon completion and before submission to get 20% off your entry:
KANTO2026
You may also use this code on top of the early bird rate, which ends on March 13, 2026.
Will the Philippines make its mark on the WAF this year? •
Click here for more WAF 2026 details. For further inquiries, reach out to Bernadette Vitug of WAF at bernadette.vitug@emap.com
or +44 (0)20 3953 2214.
