Each year more than 1,600 architects from 60 different countries gather to attend the World Architecture Festival, the largest annual festival and awards ceremony for the global architecture community. This year’s festival will be held from October 2nd – 4th in Singapore at the Marina Bay Sands, a building which was itself once a WAF Award winner. More than 300 projects from 50 countries made the official 2013 shortlist, and the architects responsible will each have a chance to make their case to a panel of architecture super-judges in October. Categories this year include Civic & Community, Housing, Schools, Sport, and Villa, among others. Each of the 29 categories can only have one winner, and only one structure can win the prestigious World Building of the Year award
Here are some favorite buildings in the running.
“Fazenda Boa Vista” by Isay Weinfeld, Brazil (shortlisted in Hotel/Leisure)

Heydar Aliyev Centre” by Zaha Hadid Architects, Azerbaijan (shortlisted in Culture)

“L’Avenue Shanghai” by Leigh & Orange, Shanghai, China (shortlisted in Shopping)

Kontum Indochine Cafe” by Vo Trong Nghia Architects, Vietnam (shortlisted in Hotel/Leisure)

“The Blue Planet” by 3XN, Denmark (shortlisted in Display)

“Emporia” by Wingardh Arkitktkontor AB, Sweden (shortlisted in Shopping.

“Kaap Skil, Maritime & Beachcombers Museum” by Mecanoo, Netherlands (shortlisted in Culture)

Chesapeake Building 12″ by Elliott + Associates Architects, U.S. (shortlisted in Office)

“Diamond House” by Alan Tay of Formwerkz Architects, Singapore (shortlisted in House)

Rush University Medical Center New Hospital Tower” by Perkins + Will, U.S. (shortlisted in Health)

“Al Bahr Towers” by Aedas Ltd – United Arab Emirates (shortlisted in Office)

Reference information from: