Words Gabrielle de la Cruz and World Architecture Festival
For the first time, the World Architecture Festival is happening in the USA! WAF is debuting at the Miami Beach Convention Center in Florida, USA. This edition is set to happen from November 12 to 14, 2025, with 45 categories open for entries. The festival has also made a few adjustments to the entry process, allowing participants to edit and complete their submissions until the final deadline.
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.
Read on for a quick entry guide, tips, and more for WAF 2025!
What makes WAF worth it?
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 2025?
For the completed buildings/landscape and interior projects, WAF accepts those completed between January 1, 2024, and June 1, 2025. 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 45 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 25, 2024!
Entry rates
For entries:
Early Bird rates (before March 15)
- WAF Early Bird entry: £795
- Inside Early Bird entry: £645
Standard rates (after March 14)
- WAF Standard: £875
- Inside Standard: £725
Late rates (after April 25)
- WAF Standard: £950
- Inside Standard: £800
How will I know if I’m shortlisted?
WAF will announce the shortlist in July 2025. 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 14, 2025. 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
- January 12 – Call for entries
- March 14 – Deadline for early bird submissions
- April 25 – Entries close
- July – Shortlist announcement
- July 9 – Last day for finalists to purchase discounted festival passes
- November 12 to 14 – WAF 2025 in Miami
- November 14 – Gala night and overall winners’ announcement
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.
2024’s Pinoy WAF finalists took home three WAF special prizes last November, with Bacungan Architects, Pluszerotwo Architecture, and Swito Architecture Designs awarded under WAFX. This previous edition showed our highest concentration and regional representation yet, with eight firms from Cebu, Davao, and Manila representing the country. Our performance at the Student Design Charette also made a record-breaking turnout, with four out of seven presenting teams coming from the Philippines.
Will the Philippines make another WAF record this year? •
Click here for more WAF 2025 details. For further inquiries, reach out to Bernadette Vitug of WAF at bernadette.vitug@emap.com
or +44 (0)20 3953 2214.
