Point 92 by ZLG, Malaysia (category: Office). See our project feature

Now in its 6th cycle, this year’s World Architecture Festival (WAF) Awards has attracted a diverse range of entries from almost 50 countries, with buildings by global architecture firms such as Zaha Hadid Architects and Tadao Ando Architect & Associates featuring among projects by smaller, local practices.

Emporia by Wingårdh Arkitektkontor AB, Sweden (category: Shopping)

Once again, this year has seen a huge interest in entries from Southeast Asia, while works from Europe and North America have increased by almost 40% and 14% respectively.

W Guangzhou Hotel & Residences by Rocco Design Architects, China (category: Hotel/leisure). See our interview with Rocco Yim.

WAF’s Programme Director Paul Finch says, “Following such strong competition at last year’s awards, expectations were understandably high for the WAF Awards 2013, and the entries did not disappoint. From the subtle to the spectacular, from a four room house to an 80-storey tower, the sheer quality and diversity reflected in the array of projects shortlisted today demonstrates the increasingly global nature of the event.”

The National Arboretum by Taylor Cullity Lethlean & Tonkin Zulaikha Greer, Australia (category: Display).

Heydar Aliyev Centre by Zaha Hadid Architects, Azerbaijan (category: Culture)

The shortlisted works will now go on to compete across 29 individual award categories – spanning completed buildings to landscape projects and future projects – with the architecture teams making their presentations live to a panel of international judges.

Kontum Indochina Café by Vo Trong Nghia Architect, Vietnam (category: Hotel/leisure)

The live judging round will take place at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore from 2 – 4 October 2013. To view the full shortlist, visit the World Architecture Festival website.

Singapore Sports Hub by Singapore Sports Hub Design Team (DP Architects, Arup Associates, AECOM), Arup Associates & DP Architects, Singapore (category: Future Projects – Masterplanning)

Which projects will come out tops, and which will take home the title of “World Building of the Year” which last year, went to Singapore’s Cooled Conservatories at Gardens by the Bay (read more here)?

Top image: The Star by Aedas, Singapore (category: Culture)

The INSIDE awards shortlist is also out. Read the announcement here.