Words The Kanto team and WAF 2025
Images WAF 2025 (Student Charette)
Two Filipino institutions, Batangas State University – The National Engineering, and Saint Louis University, Baguio, have secured spots on the 2025 World Architecture Festival (WAF) Student Charette shortlist, continuing the Philippines’ consistent presence in this WAF program.
This marks the third consecutive year that Filipino student teams have earned a place among the finalists, following notable wins in 2015 and 2023, and signals the second time the country has fielded multiple universities in one cycle.
This year’s edition, themed “Fun, Sun, Sea and Sand,” invites student teams to design seaside or lakeside attractions, tourist facilities, or buildings that foster enjoyment and engagement with water-based environments. The 2025 Festival will take place in Miami, USA, from November 11 to 14, with teams presenting their proposals live to an international jury.
The 2025 shortlisted schools represent a diverse spread across Asia, North America, Europe, and Central America:
- Batangas State University – The National Engineering University (Philippines)
- Saint Louis University, Baguio (Philippines)
- University Pillai College of Architecture (India)
- Pratt Institute (USA)
- Queen’s University Belfast (Ireland)
- Universidad Doctor José Matías Delgado, Escuela de Arquitectura (El Salvador)
- University of Manitoba (Canada)
Entries closed last June 27, with shortlisted teams now preparing for the final challenge: to integrate a surprise design element upon arrival in Miami. Up to six students and two mentors per team will spend two days developing and refining their proposals before presenting to judges on November 14.
Working areas for all teams will be provided in the Festival hall, alongside design materials such as papers, pens, and markers. Students are required to bring their own laptops as they work on their proposals from November 12 to 13 (Wednesday to Thursday).
The prize winner will receive an invitation to the WAF Gala Awards Dinner on the night of November 14, WAF 2025’s last day, and be presented with their prize on stage. All teams will receive a certificate of attendance as finalists in the charrette.
Will 2025 be the third time we bring home the Student Charette trophy? We’ll find out by the shores of Miami. •
Kanto’s WAF 2025 coverage is supported by GROHE Philippines
