Addressing Architecture's Big Issues In Singapore

Paul Finch, Programme Director of the World Architecture Festival (WAF), on how the event is going to tackle key issues faced by the architecture community and why it's worth a visit for everyone interested in design

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World Architecture Festival, plus its sister event Inside: World Festival of Interiors, will be back in Singapore this year, after a seven-year spell in European cities.

Launched in 2008 in Barcelona, the festival is a threeday annual celebration of great architecture and design from around the world. The key element from the beginning was an awards programme, with shortlisted entrants required to present their designs live, to international jurors and festival delegates.

The awards format has expanded since its launch and now has four sections Completed Buildings, Future Projects, Interiors and Landscape, with a total of 43 categories.

On the first two days of the festival, we have 17 inflatable 'crit' rooms, where the shortlisted architects and designers compete for a bestin-breed' award, with up to 17 competitors in each category.

On the final day, the 43 winners compete for 'best-inshow' awards, presented at a gala dinner which concludes the festival.

So there are three days of constructive criticism, and a chance for the design community to see how different professionals from across the world are addressing the same sorts of issues: housing, the environment, health, education and so on.