Four projects by the global architecture studio have been shortlisted in the World Architecture Festival awards (WAF), with three of the nominated projects located in Australia. 

WAF is widely acknowledged as the most prestigious global architecture prize for architects and designers, and is judged by a panel of the world’s most acclaimed industry leaders. 

This year’s festival marks the sixteenth year of operation, with the program now spanning 44 categories across future projects, landscapes, interiors, and complete buildings. The winning projects will be announced at the festival at Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands, from 29 November to 1 December.

WAF is the only global architecture prize that sees shortlisted entrants present projects live to a jury in front of an audience of their peers. The recipient of a WAF award has the chance to secure a place on the World Buildings Directory.  

Te Pae Convention Centre, designed in collaboration with Warren and Mahony, has received a nomination in the ‘Completed Buildings – Culture’ category. 

The convention centre is located in the hustle and bustle of Christchurch, New Zealand, and spans 17,000 square-metres of floor space, and a 1,400 seat auditorium, an exhibition hall, and meeting rooms with views of the beloved Victoria Square. 

Project leader Bruno Mendes speaks of how Te Pae has filled a physical and emotional void in the Christchurch landscape more than 10 years on from the devastating 2011 earthquake. 

“Te Pae was informed by Christchurch’s rich tapestry of unique geography, abundant cultural narrative, and local history – demonstrating the value of designing with an intimate understanding of place and people,” says Mendes. 

80 Ann Street in Brisbane’s Heritage Lanes has also been shortlisted under the ‘Completed Buildings – Office’ category. 

Located on the site of the former heritage listed Turbot Street Fruit and Produce Exchange, the 35-level, tower-on-podium building readily embraced a restoration of the former market.

According to principal and project design leader David Lee, the building echoes the distinctive visual vernacular of Queensland through architectural gestures that reference the subtropical climate, alongside honouring the history and memory of the site.

Warada on Walker in Sydney – led by principal Jason Fraser – has been nominated for the ‘Future Projects – Office’ category for its testimony to the ever-evolving Sydney CBD. The design’s 22 levels are enclosed in a sculpted and crimson coloured exterior skeleton that symbolises the Australian waratah flower.

This development aims to function as an exterior of the building domain, and expand upon the pre-existing landscape and urban laneway system.

Sydney-based 55 Pitt Street has been shortlisted under the same category as Warada on Walker, and was designed in collaboration with New York City-based practice SHoP Architects. 

The 62,000-square-metre future workplace boasts a soaring tower, and is commended for its subtle integration into the urban landscape and honouring of the First Nations history of the site. 

Woods Bagot director and global design leader Domenic Alvaro says the WAF shortlisted projects confirm the practice’s ongoing dedication to design excellence and innovation.

“We strive to epitomise architectural excellence and challenge convention with original buildings that are contextual, driven by narrative, and attuned to the people they serve,” says Alvaro.

Last year, Woods Bagot won four WAF awards – the ‘Best Completed School’ and ‘Best Use of Colour’ awards for Meadowbank Schools, the ‘Best Completed Mixed-Use Project’ award for 80 Collins Street and the ‘Best (INSIDE) Small Workplace’ for Sculptform Design Studio.

Photography supplied by Woods Bagot.

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