Bottom (from left) Mik Serafica, Arian Zaragoza, Jorim Sampayan, and Ian Macaspac
With most of this year’s participants from the Philippines being first-time entrants, the World Architecture Festival (WAF) represents a transformative journey. Presenting their work to a global jury, these young architects gain invaluable mentorship from industry veterans, whose insights shape not only their designs but also their careers. This festival marks a defining moment where new talent can grow, evolve, and find a clearer path for their future.
As one of the world's largest annual international architectural events, WAF was founded to celebrate the best in global design. What began as a platform for showcasing architectural excellence has evolved into a dynamic space where top firms from around the world compete across various categories.
From November 6 to 8, 2024, the World Architecture Festival will highlight outstanding design and encourage discussions that inspire architects to challenge boundaries and keep up with industry changes. This year’s theme, “Resetting the City,” is particularly relevant to everyone, especially Grohe, WAF’s founding sponsor, which has supported the event since its inception in 2008. The entries for this year have now closed, and the shortlist highlights the exceptional talent within the industry.
A new wave of Filipino talent
As WAF approaches its 2024 edition in Singapore, eight Filipino projects have made the prestigious shortlist, ready to compete on a global stage. Seven of the shortlisted firms are new entrants, bringing fresh ideas and bold visions from across the Philippines. With strong regional representation from Metro Manila, Cebu, and Davao City, the shortlist reflects the country’s diverse architectural landscape.
The shortlisted projects are as follows: Archion Architects with Felicidad Sy Multi-Specialty Building (Health); Bacungan Architects with The Waste-Wise House (Competition); LLG Architects Design Studio with The Rise at Monterrazas (Residential); LT Pagaduan Design Studio with New Public Market and Terminal Complex (Infrastructure); Obra Majoralia Architecture with Loboc Performing Arts Center (Culture)—Grohe Young Visionaries Challenge Winner; Pluszerotwo Architecture with Balai Ani: House of Harvest (Residential); San Studio with Interweaving Dualities: Reimagining City Hall Architecture (Civic)—Kanto selection for WAF competition entry; and Swito Designs with Peace Building (Civic).
This year's finalists, mainly young firms with fresh ideas, signify an exciting shift in the Philippine architectural landscape. As WAF unfolds in Singapore, their projects will blend with those of seasoned professionals, creating a rich source of inspiration. These innovative designs demonstrate a strong understanding of community needs, signaling a promising future for Filipino architecture.
Preparations for Singapore
As excitement builds, these talented architects are filled with a mix of nerves and hope as they prepare to present their innovative visions to a global audience, marking the rise of new talent in the country. They can take comfort in knowing that renowned figures in the Philippine design and architecture scene will guide and support them throughout their preparation.
Organized by Grohe, a global leader in bathroom and kitchen solutions, the Philippines has proudly hosted annual practice crit sessions to help finalists refine their presentations for the prestigious World Architecture Festival (WAF).
Since 2017, this initiative has nurtured a vibrant community of over 100 top architects and designers, including former winners and finalists. For the first time, the majority of the finalists are not from Manila, so the satellite sessions were held in Cebu last August 31 and Davao last September 2 to accommodate them. As anticipation builds for the international event, the crit sessions have evolved, ensuring that finalists from these regions are well-prepared to represent the country on the global stage.
The first session brought together Cebu-based finalists for an engaging round of feedback and guidance. Manila jurors—Benjee Mendoza of BAAD Studio, Jason Buensalido of Barchan Architecture, and Jorge Yulo of Jorge Yulo Architects and Associates—connected via Zoom to offer their insights. The session focused on the works of San Studio, Obra Majoralia, and LLG Architects Design Studios, with each receiving valuable advice on refining their projects.
The next session shifted focus to the finalists from Davao and Manila, marking another important step in their preparation. For Davao, LT Pagaduan Architects and Swito Architecture took the spotlight, while Manila finalists PlusZeroTwo Architectural Design Studio, Bacungan Architects, and Archion Architects followed suit. Manila-based jurors—Anthony Nazareno of Nazareno Architects, Sudar Khadka of Leandro V Locsin Partners, and William Ti of WTA Architecture and Design Studio—connected via Zoom to critique the Davao entries. For the Manila crits, jurors Dominic Galicia of Dominic Galicia Architects, Tina Periquet of Periquet Galicia, and Architect Bong Recio provided their expert feedback, adding another layer of insight to the session.
What sets WAF apart is its unique live presentation format, which allows finalists to present their projects directly to a panel of esteemed judges. This setting fosters meaningful dialogue, enabling budding architects to discuss their designs’ strengths and areas for improvement. Feedback from seasoned veterans not only provides valuable insights but also ensures that each project effectively communicates its intent to international jurors.
Adding to the excitement, William Ti, Jr. of WTA Architecture, whose work was highly commended at WAF 2023, returns as a member of this year’s jury. Alongside over 140 experts from 68 countries, Ti will help determine the winners across 43 categories, bringing a uniquely Filipino perspective to the global conversation on architecture.