WAF 2017 Shortlist – Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates, Petersen Automotive Museum, Los Angeles, USA.

WAF 2017 – A Japanese cutting-edge pharmacy and a floating resort in the Maldive, an iridescent opera house in China, Los Angeles automotive museum and even an Insects Hotel in Spain. World Architecture Festival announced the shortlisted projects for the 10th edition of the world biggest architecture award programme that will take place in Berlin from 15-17 November.

RELATED STORIES: Read more about 2017 World Architecture Festival…

Zaha Hadid Architects, Port House, Antwerp, Belgium.

The projects were shortlisted by an international jury from almost 1.000 entries and range from small family homes, to schools, stations, museums, large infrastructure and landscape projects based across 68 countries. The full shortlist for this year’s awards can be viewed HERE.

Neri&Hu Design and Research Office, Suzhou Chapel, Suzhou, China.

The selection includes both completed projects and “future” designs which are divided in 18 categories like cultural, religious and commercial buildings, office spaces, schools, houses and more. On top of that, 3 special categories for landscape, best use of colour and small projects cover all all types and sizes of architecture.

MAAT Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology by AL_A, Lisbon, Portugal – Photo ©Francisco Nogueira, courtesy of Amanda Levete Architecture.

Paul Finch, WAF Programme Director, said: ‘This year’s shortlist has a hugely diverse geographic range. The use of water has been striking and there is evidence of real interest in climate modifications using novel techniques.’

BIG Bjarke Ingels Grouop, Urban Rigger, Copenhagen, Denmanr – Photo by Laurent de Carniere, courtesy of BIG.

BIG will compete with the floating students apartments in Copenhagen that aim to tackle gentrification, Amanda Levete was shortlisted for Lisbon new Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology which blends with and riconnect the city with its waterfront.

Allison Brooks Architects, The Smile, London, UK – Photo by Guy Bell, courtesy of Allison Brooks Architects.

Zaha Hadid architects are in with the Port House in Antwerp harbour and the Maritime Terminal in Salerno, Italy. Allison Brooks Architects designed The Smile, an innovative urban installation at London Design Festival that opens to new applications of sustainable fast-growing timber.

Zaha Hadid Architects, Salerno Maritime Terminal, Salerno, Italy.

UK and US are the most represented countries while over a third of the projects are based in Asia like Vo Throng Nghia‘s Binh House that brings tropical vegetation back in Vietnamese urban jungle, Khosla Associates peaceful retreat in the Sahyadris, India.

Vo Trong Nghia Architects, Binh House, Vietnam – Photo by Hiroyuki Oki, Quang Dam, courtesy of Vo Throng Nghia.

Klein Dytham Architecture completed mixed-use Ginza Palace in Tokyo. People’s Architecture Office slotted Mrs. Fan’s Plugin House into Beijing historical low-rise neighbourhood.

Klein Dytham Architecture and Taisei Corporation, Ginza Place, Tokyo, Japan.

The selection features based across 68 countries and all 5 continents. Cox Architecture competes in the Sport category with several projects including also the Willinga Park Equestrian Centre at Bawley Point, Australia.

Cox Architecture, Willinga Park, Bawley Point, Australia.

UUfie was shortlisted with the new scenographic atrium of Paris iconic shopping mall Printemps Haussmann which allows visitors to see all levels. Idris Kahn with bureau^proberts and Urban Arts Projects join with the Memorial Monument and Pavilion of Honour in Abu Dhabi.

UUfie, Printemps Haussmann, Paris, France.

Major world architects shortlisted include also Neri & Hu, Rafael Vinoly Architects, Grimshaw, and Heatherwick Studio. Many smaller practices will also take part to pitch against the big names.

Grimshaw, Duke University West Campus Union, Durham, USA.

The architectural practices behind each project will battle it out in live judging sessions to be held at the World Architecture Festival in Berlin, 15-17 November. Each will be hoping to win their category and go on to compete for the ultimate accolades of World Building of the Year, Future Project of the Year and Landscape of the Year.

WOW Architects and Warner Wong Design, Vommuli Island Maldives, Vommuli Island, Maldives.

In addition to the awards, WAF includes a conference programme based around the theme of ‘Performance’. And to mark its tenth edition, special awards will be given to projects which address the WAFX Manifesto by identifying solutions to key architectural challenges over the next decade, including climate change, an ageing population and new technologies.

Matsuya Art Works and KTX archiLAB, The Cutting Edge Pharmacy, Himeji City, Japan.

The full shortlist for this year’s awards can be viewed HERE.

Batlle i Roig Arquitectura, Insect Hotel, El Masnou, Barcelona.

Photos: courtesy of World Architecture Festival.

People’s Architecture Office, Mrs. Fan’s Plugin House, Beijing, China.

CR Institute of Architectural &.Urban Design, Zhuhai Opera House, Zhuhai, China.

Khosla Associates, Retreat in the Sahyadris, Pawna, India.