TRIUMPHS OF WILL AND VISION
Architecture is one of the profound benchmarks of civilization — how far a particular society has grown and prepared itself for futurity. After all, structures are both a balance between aesthetics and endurance — how pleasing, safe, functional, and strong will the building be in years, centuries to come?
From the pyramids of Egypt where pharaohs rested in eternal peace, the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris where grotesque gargoyles ironically stand, to the uniquely beautiful and Modernist-inspired Casa Mila in Barcelona, all these structures have endured time and have been transformed into overwhelming testaments of their era.
Every year, the World Architecture Festival has been bestowing awards for the greatest creations that are poised to leave an impact, not just on site, but the way people will view buildings, their sense of place, and the inevitable human interaction that goes with these spaces.
On the second year of the pandemic, the evolution of structures continues dynamically as shown by the set of breathtaking major winners for 2022:
Future Project of the Year went to the CAAT Studio (Kamboozia Architecture and Design Studio). The yet to be accomplished project is a connection between the sports recreation park to a cultural street in Tehran, Iran. The World Architecture Festival’s Future Project super jury complimented the concept for providing “an unexpected consistency between the city’s street grid and the district’s new parkland attraction, describing it as ‘intricately managed geometry.’”
World Building of the Year is the Quay Quarter Tower designed by 2XN in Sydney, Australia. This vertical village veers away from the normal high-rise concept and provides hubs for “cooperation, health, and well-being.”
As described by WAF, the 206-meter tower, built by stacking five changing volumes, was created using a groundbreaking sustainability approach called upcycling. As well as creating a social core with stunning scenery, the sequence of stacked atria also allows for abundant natural light to penetrate all floors.
Landscape of the Year was awarded to SHANCUN Atelier School of Architecture, Tsinghua University + Anshun Institute of Architectural Design for its project titled "Preservation and Rehabilitation of Rural Landscape of Gaodang: A Buyi Ethnic Minority Group Village in Southwest China Anshun, China. "
Faced with the threats of ecological destruction in their community, the Gaodang Village has always thought of ways to be more resilient and sustainable in their ways.
Since 2015, the team has been developing a preservation and restoration plan in response to these environmental challenges using the method of”’investigation and study — consensus-building — planning and design — phased execution.”
The long-term initiative focuses on balancing nature with created structures with the intention of inspiring the community to use technologies that help mitigate climate change.
The project was praised by WAF for its pragmatic vision of “mutualism between nature and humans.”
World Interior of the Year went to Condition_Lab Pingtan Children Library in Hunan, China.
This three-level compact wood building is about 80 square meters and benefits more than 400 local children attending primary school in the courtyard where the building is located. Not your usual classroom setting, it is described as “a structure with two interlinked spiral staircases, forming a double loop that serves as both the children’s seats and the vertical circulation.”
The structure has been lauded for inspiring learning as fun while giving an insight about culture and heritage.
In addition, The World Architecture Festival’s jury noted, “Design must have a purpose, not just for high-end structures, and social effect does not require a significant financial investment.”
World Architecture Festival Award Overall Winner went to The Tower of Life designed by BAD and built by Associative Data + Guallart Architects in Dakar, Senegal.
“Tower of Life is an energy-positive building covered with an earth membrane that was locally printed and functions as a living system, utilizing an economy of materials, energy, water, air, culture, and robotics. The Tower of Life symbolizes ecological architecture, establishing the parameters for what, why, and how architecture functions in the face of a global climate emergency,” according to WAF.
Filipino finalists
Filipino design firms were also recognized this year for their compelling vision and sustainable efforts as 10 projects by eight Filipino designers and architects have been shortlisted as finalists of WAF.
Along with Grohe, a founding partner of WAF and leading global brand for complete bathroom solutions and kitchen fittings, the Philippine finalists that it named consisted of lions in the world of architecture already: previous winner BAAD Studio; last year’s WAFX special prize winner WTA Architecture and Design Studio; Highly Commended recipient BUDJI+ROYAL Architecture+Design, Jorge Yulo Architects and Associates, and HANDS Design Studio. In addition, three design firms also made their WAF shortlist debut this year: Studio Fuerzo, DST Design+Build, and Davao-based BERSABARC Design Studio.
This year’s WAF theme is “Together,” an apt topic as efforts are being made for recovery and renewal especially in the post-pandemic world. It’s also a proud time for Filipino designers who are gaining global ground for their compelling vision and timeless constructions.