Overview
The World Architecture Festival 2025 (WAF) is a three-day global celebration of architectural excellence, offering a unique live-judged awards program, keynote speeches from industry leaders, and unparalleled networking opportunities. For the first time, the festival will be hosted in the USA, taking place at the Miami Beach Convention Center from November 12–14, 2025.
At WAF, leading architects and designers from around the world present their projects live to an esteemed panel of judges, providing an exclusive opportunity to gain global recognition, refine ideas through expert feedback, and connect with peers and influential figures in the industry.
Why Enter the WAF Awards?
Participating in the WAF Awards offers unparalleled benefits, including:
- Live project presentations to a distinguished jury, featuring renowned architects like Emre Arolat, Mary Bowman, Sir Peter Cook, Laurinda Spear, and Sanjay Puri. Their insights can help shape and refine future projects.
- International media exposure, with over 350 global press coverages annually. Your project could be featured in CNN, Al Jazeera, BBC, The New York Times, Telegraph, Designboom, and ArchDaily, demonstrating your leadership in architectural design.
- A vast international network, including finalists, judges, and attendees from across the globe, providing invaluable collaboration and career opportunities.
- A rigorous judging process conducted by 140+ leading architects, designers, journalists, and industry experts, enhancing credibility and distinguishing your work.
- Permanent recognition with a dedicated listing on the World Buildings Directory, including a full project description and images.
- Exclusive press coverage for winners, with a complimentary press kit distribution via v2com newswire, reaching 7000+ print and digital publications in 100+ countries.
Competition Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| December 2024 | Online entries open for architects and designers worldwide. |
| 21 March 2025 | Early bird entry rate ends. |
| 25 April 2025 | Final entry deadline. All submissions must include completed entry forms, images, and descriptions. Late entries will incur additional fees. |
| June 2025 | Shortlisting process begins, with leading architects reviewing entries. Finalists will be notified soon after. |
| July 2025 | Finalists announced, with international press coverage and WAF media promotions. |
| 9 July 2025 | Finalist delegate rate ends. Each finalist must purchase two passes to attend and present their project. |
| 12–13 November 2025 | Live judging in Miami. Finalists present for 10 minutes, followed by 8 minutes of Q&A. Winners for each category are announced daily. |
| 14 November 2025 | Overall winners judged live. Each category winner competes in Completed Building, Future Project, Landscape, or WAF Interiors Super-Jury. Final winners announced at the Gala Dinner. |
Entry Requirements
Participants must complete an online entry form, which allows saving progress and returning later. Required submission materials include:
- Two A2 entry boards, printed by WAF for jury review.
- A project summary (200–500 words) for the World Buildings Directory.
- A hero image representing the project.
- Up to six additional images, including photographs and design plans.
Entry Fees
| Category | Early Bird Rate (by 14 March 2025) | Standard Rate (by 25 April 2025) | Late Rate (by 16 May 2025) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Completed Buildings, Future Projects, Landscape | £795 | £875 | £950 |
| Interiors Categories | £645 | £725 | £800 |
🔹 Finalists must purchase a minimum of two delegate tickets to attend and present their projects in Miami. Tickets will be available from January 2025, starting at £999.
How to Participate
To submit your entry and secure your place in the World Architecture Festival 2025, visit the official website and complete the registration process before the April 25, 2025 deadline.
Don’t miss the opportunity to showcase your architectural vision on a global stage and be recognized among the best in the industry!
