Three Filipino groundbreaking projects received high commendations at this year’s World Architecture Festival (WAF) 2021, one of the world’s most prestigious annual festival and annual awards ceremony dedicated to architecture and development industry. This year, the crit presentations were done and judged virtually, with the shortlist of winners viewable on the official World Architecture Festival website.
Ar. William Ti of WTA Architecture and Design Studio was declared the Project of the Year at the World Architecture Futures (WAFX) for his Horizon Manila reclamation masterplan. The WAFX Prize “heralds the world’s most forward-looking architectural concepts and is awarded to future projects that identify key challenges that architects will need to address in the coming years.” Ar. William Ti’s other project, the Emergency Quarantine Facility was also an entry to the WAF.
Meanwhile, the designer duo, Budji Layug and Ar. Royal Pineda of the BUDJI+ROYAL Architecture+Design, were highly commended by a panel of international designers for their New Clark City Athletic Stadium project under the Completed Buildings – Sport category. Ar. Jason Buensalido of the Buensalido Architects was highly commended for his Interweave Building, which was shortlisted in two categories: Completed Buildings – School and Completed Buildings – Best Use of Color.
Prior to the WAF 2021 event, GROHE, a founding partner of WAF, hosted a series of crit sessions to help this year’s Filipino finalists prepare for their presentation, through the support of their fellow local designers. This is the year when WAF shortlisted the most number of Filipino projects, with nine Filipino design entries at the WAF including Ar. Jaemi Cruz and Interior Designer Jesy Cruz of Alero Design Studio—second-timers of WAF—for their Memory Hall Imprints; Ar. Yonni Habulan of Habúlan and Ngo Design Studio Hands for their Farms of Feasts project and Ar. Jason Buensalido’s second entry Fragmented to Free.
Also making it to the list is Ar. Jorge Yulo for La Cabaña de Resureccion. Lastly, Ar. Carlo Calma who received double nods for his projects, Cagbalete Sand Clusters and Museum for Architecture + Residences, with lead designer Sou Fujimoto Architects categories.
Online category judging formed a cornerstone of the 2021 WAF digital edition, with finalists for major awards including ‘World Building of the Year’, ‘Future Project of the Year’, ‘Interior of the Year’, and ‘Landscape of the Year’.
“GROHE sends its warmest congratulations to all the Filipino architects and designers who joined this year’s World Architecture Festival. They are an inspiration to many more Filipino designers as they constantly push the envelope in design to earn the global recognition that Filipinos deserve,” said Hermie Limbo, Country Leader, Philippines, LIXIL Water Technologies APAC.
The World Architecture Festival is the world’s largest annual international architectural event. This year’s WAF event consist of three days live conference programs, awards, and fringe events with talks by leading global architectural thinkers and industry personalities.
To know more about the designers, follow GROHE’s official Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/GrohePacific. To know more about the World Architecture Festival 2021 visit https://www.worldarchitecturefestival.com/
