World Architecture Festival will once again present its 40 Under 40 programme. This time we are partnering with Architecture Hunter and shining a light on South and Central America. The 2026 edition will highlight 40 outstanding individuals from across the region.
40 Under 40 South and Central America
About 40 under 40
Following a successful debut of 40 Under 40 North America, the competition returns for its second year. This year we are partnernering with Architecture Hunter and focusing on South and Central America. The Top 40 have now been revealed, and you can see an exhibition of their work at WAF 2026 in Fort Lauderdale, 18–20 November.
An exhibition and discussion at WAF 2026
The work of each of the top 40 will be exhibited at WAF, putting it in front of some of the most influential figures in global architecture. In addition, a dedicated 40 Under 40 South America session will take place on Friday 20 November, hosted by Amanda Ferber of Architecture Hunter.
Who is eligible?
40 Under 40 was open to any individual, qualified architect from South or Central America (please note Mexico is not included in this edition) who is aged 40 or under. The competition recognises individuals only.
The top 40
Alberto Herrera Salas
Sordo Madaleno
Colombia
Alex Hudtwalcker Rey
HUDTWALCKER arquitectos
Peru
Amalia Ramírez
ar_ea
Colombia
Ana Maria Estrada
TA Arquitectura
Colombia
Andrea Pinto
Garaki
Guatemala
Carlos Emilio Nones Faria
Brandon Haw Architecture
Venezuela
Carolina Catrón
Azócar Catrón Arquitectos
Chile
Carolina Gilardi
Studio Woodroffe Papa
Uruguay
Daniel Stein
Stein Arquitetura
Brazil
Dennis Sola
Sola Office
Ecuador
Fernando Afonso
Perkins&Will
Brazil
Francesca Poma Murialdo
Gensler
Costa Rica
Felipe Carrizo
BIOMA
Argentina
Gabriel Díaz Riadi
Triangular Architects
Chile
Giancarllo Zaia
ZAIA
Brazil
Guilherme Meneses
Perkins&Will
Brazil
Gustavo Salazar Cosme
COSME Arquitectura y Paisaje
Colombia
Isabella Marques
Fernanda Marques Arquitetos
Brazil
Javier Andrés Moya Ortiz
Hyphen
Chile
Javier Gallardo Salgado
JGStudio Arquitectura
Ecuador
Juan José Álvarez Sanz
Ritmo Arquitectos
Colombia
Juan Jose Vargas
TAP Arquitectura y Paisaje
Colombia
Juan Pablo Costa
JP Costa Arquitectos
Ecuador
Leonardo Zanatta
Estúdio Leonardo Zanatta
Brazil
Luciana Cooke
Studio Akamá
Argentina
Manuela Eblé
MEC Arquitectura
Colombia
Maria Luisa Giron Oquendo
FIILIN
Colombia
Mauro Zanabre
Zanabre Arquitectura
Argentina
Michell Allan Damascena
Mida arquitetura
Brazil
Michelle Herrera
MATELIER I Michelle Herrera Architecture Atelier
Ecuador
Miguel Angel Gonzalez Merlo
Grupo Culata Jovai Architects
Paraguay
Quintino Facci
Studio Quintino
Facci Brazil
Ramiro Veiga
MTVD Estudio Montevideo
Argentina
Raul Rezende
Studio Ronaldo Rezende
Brazil
Rodrigo Rocha
Goya Terra Architecture
Brazil
Rubén Gómez Gañán
Practica Popular (PAE)
Colombia
Sara Rodriguez
Elemento Arquitectura
Guatemala
Sebastian Monsalve Gómez
CAUCE // arquitectura del paisaje
Colombia
Soledad Patiño
Region Austral
Argentina
Stefano Romagnoli
Region Austral
Argentina
Entry criteria and requirements
- Submissions must be made by individual architects who meet the below criteria, not by architectural practices or partners.
- Entrants must be architects aged 40 or under on 30 June 2026.
- Entrants must be qualified architects.
- Entrants must be from South or Central America (please note Mexico is not included as this was recognised in 40 under 40 North America in 2025)
- Submissions should comprise of 2 x A2 boards (digitally uploaded on the online entry form)
One should feature a completed building/interior; the other can comprise any design project or design idea.
Entrants can show multiple projects, and different building types, from any year.
Entrants can design their boards as they choose, using clear images and concise text to describe their designs. - We will print the boards of the chosen 40, and they will be exhibited at WAF in Fort Lauderdale.
Entries are now closed.
Entry fee: £99 +VAT
Why enter?
- Have your work showcased at WAF in Fort Lauderdale and be seen by some of the world's most influential architects.
- Each of those that make the top 40 will receive a complimentary ticket to WAF worth £1299.
- Each individual will be featured on the WAF website and promoted to the WAF audience and media partners.
- The top 40 will be featured on Architecture Hunter.
- Your work will be reviewed by an international judging panel, including representatives from WAF.
In partnership with
Founder Partner
WAF x Della Townships
Strategic Future Cities Partner
