ASEAN Invasion at the WAF Completed Buildings Shortlist

Four Pinoy completed projects join the four already shortlisted for the Future Projects division of the World Architecture Festival (WAF), making for an unprecedented eight shortlist placements. This is the largest Pinoy showing at the WAF ever since local studio E.A. Minana Architects kicked off Philippine representation when he got shortlisted for the Villa category (Villa Marina) back in 2014.

BUDJI+ROYAL Architecture + Design make their WAF debut under the Sports category for their SEA Games Athletics Stadium in New Clark City. WAF alum Alero Design Studio returns to the competition under a new category, Religion, with Memory Hall. Fresh from winning the WAFX Futures Award under the Water category for Horizon Manila, WTA Architecture and Design Studio makes a Completed Buildings shortlist appearance under the Health category for their much-talked-about Emergency Quarantine Facility. Buensalido Architects secures another shortlist spot under the School category for Interweave Building, making them one of two Pinoy firms (after WTA) with twice the chances of securing the coveted Building of the Year and Future Project of the Year awards.

ASEAN representation is stronger than ever at this year’s Completed Buildings shortlist, with a mix of returning studios and fresh blood. Singapore studio RT+Q Architects makes a whopping four shortlist appearances; Bandung-based SHAU nets three shortlist placements for their multi-awarded project Microlibrary Warak Kayu, netting a third nod in the Best Use of Certified Timber Prize. Fellow Indonesian practice RAD+ar also nets two shortlist mentions, together with Vietnam’s MIA Design Studio, whose twice-shortlisted project, Sky House won rave reviews in our Optimistic Critic column. Vietnamese atelier Tho.A makes a splashy entry into the WAF with an appearance in the Display and House & Villa (with me+architect) category. Thai practice baan puripuri also makes an impression with two residential project appearances. CHAT Architects’ Samsen STREET Hotel has them checking in to the shortlist. Wrapping up ASEAN presence in the shortlist is Thai landscape practice TK Studio Co., Ltd (in partnership with Foster and Partners).

We will be talking to all our Pinoy entrants and some of our ASEAN peers about their entries and competition preparations in the lead-up to the WAF. For the full Completed Buildings shortlist comprising of 479 built projects from 62 countries, click here. •

Completed Buildings ASEAN Shortlisted Entries

Civic and Community

Culture

Display

Health

Sports

House and Villa, Urban

Housing

Office

Religion

School

Landscape, Urban Context

Hotel