The 2012 World Architecture Festival (WAF) took place in Singapore last week with an abundance of Australia’s design talent.

Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne Image © Bates Smart

Australian works were represented in 24 categories out of a possible 33 – this years festival demonstrating the condition of the local industry.

’It is wonderful to see this worldwide recognition of Australian Architects for their design talent across such a broad range of building types and locations’ says Australian Institute of Architects CEO David Parken.

Common Ground, Sydney Image © HASSELL

Across a range of project types, scale and styles the developments span Australia and Asia, further reinforcing the reputation of local talent across the region, not just at home.

Bringing home eight out of the thirty-three categories sees Australia’s breadth of capability and commitment to design excellence earning global recognition.

Dongqian Lake Concept, China Image © HASSELL

When pressed on what it is that sets the local design landscape apart from those abroad Nik Karalis from Woods Bagot had this to say:

’We’ve got a free spirit that allows us to merge ideas from very many sectors and bring it all together…look at the cultures deeply and intimately because we relate to them on a very personal level and then cause change through that collaboration’.

Perry Park, Sydney Image © HASSELL

In an increasingly aggressive marketplace, with heightened competition on projects and increased restrictions on budget, greater demand on sustainability requirements and shorter timeframes, the outcome is buoying after some difficult years here and abroad.

The Shearer’s Quarters, Tasmania Image © John Wardle Architects

Tianjian Binhai New District, China Image © HASSELL

Australian Winners:

· The Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne by Billard Leece Partnership and Bates Smart took out the Completed Building – Health category.

· Martin no.38, Singapore by Kerry Hill Architects has won the Completed Building – Housing category.

· Common Ground, Sydney by HASSELL received a High Commendation in the Completed Building – Housing category.

· Darling Quarter, Sydney by Francis-Jones Morehen Thorp (FMJT) was awarded the top prize in the Completed Building – Offices category.

· The Shearer’s Quarters, Tasmania by John Wardle Architects won the ’World’s Best Villa’ Award in the Completed Building – Villa category.

· Perry Park, Sydney by HASSELL won the Future Projects – Competition Entries category.

· Man-Built Dongqian Lake Concept Design, China by HASSELL took top honours in the Future Projects – Experimental category.

· Tianjin Binhai New District, China by HASSELL received the ’World’s Best Future Infrastructure Project’ Award in the Future Projects – Infrastructure category.

(Hero image: Darling Quarter, Sydney Image © FJMT)

World Architecture Festival

worldarchitecturefestival.com

Australian Institute of Architects

architecture.com.au