Returning to the USA for a second year, World Architecture Festival (WAF) unites the global architectural community to celebrate groundbreaking design and share ideas. Taking place 18–20 November 2026 at the Broward County Convention Center, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, join three days of world-class networking and learning, and witness the world's largest live-judged architecture awards.
Download your copy of this year's festival guide! Including the speaker line-up, finalist presentations, fringe events and ticket options.
Attend WAF 2026
What's on
WAF is the only global architecture festival that combines a unique live-judged awards programme, seminars, a product exhibition and networking events. Discover what's on during WAF 2026!
2026 Programme
Hear from the architects, designers and innovators shaping the future of the built environment through this year's WAF theme, Water. View the 2026 programme and speakers
Book tickets
Two ticket packages are available, including our popular premium option which includes a seat at the Gala Dinner on Friday evening and a place on one WAF Tour. Explore the tickets and book yours today.
This year's best international architecture and interiors have been revealed. 416 projects have made the 2026 World Architecture Festival shortlist, spanning completed buildings, interiors, landscapes and bold future visions across categories from Creative Re-Use and Housing to Hotel, Health and Culture
Finalists will battle it out live in front of an international panel of judges at WAF 2026, held at the Broward County Convention Center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, from 18 - 20 November.
India at WAF
India@WAF
India@WAF will present a dedicated exhibition of Indian architecture and design at World Architecture Festival 2026. Amplifying India’s voice on the global stage, it will showcase selected works, publications and initiatives spanning heritage, sustainable urban futures, infrastructure and cutting-edge contemporary practice.
Designing the Future of Human Living
Indian design futurist Jimmy Mistry, founder of Della Townships and creator of Future Fit Cities, explores how architecture and urban planning will shape the way we live in the decades ahead. Drawing on his work in India, he will set out a vision for future-ready communities. Chaired by Paul Finch and taking place on the Festival Hall Stage on Wednesday 18th November at 5pm.The Future of Human Living Roundtable
Hosted by Indian design futurist Jimmy Mistry, Founder of Della Townships, this roundtable asks senior architects how we should design the places humanity will inhabit for the next 100 years. Contributions draw on WAF 2026’s core programme themes, from water and energy to health and infrastructure, tested against Della’s Future-Fit Living Laboratories taking shape in Ahmedabad and Hyderabad. Taking place on Thursday 19 November at 4pm in Crit Room 5.The WAF Awards
What are the WAF Awards?
WAF is the only architectural awards programme where all finalists present their projects LIVE to a panel of judges and an audience of peers at the festival. This distinctive peer-to-peer judging experience enables participants and attendees to explore and exchange the most groundbreaking architectural innovations from around the world!
The 2026 Judges
Each year at WAF your submissions are scrutinised LIVE at the festival by an expert panel and the world's most groundbreaking architectural and design achievements are recognised.
What is WAF Interiors?
WAF Interiors, supported by Deltalight, is the sister awards programme of WAF and celebrates the finest examples of global interior design with 8 dedicated categories. Finalists go on to present LIVE at the festival with category winners going on to compete for the prestigious title of World Interior of the Year.
Special Prizes
Recognising excellence
Alongside the WAF award categories are a host of special prizes awarded to projects from the main shortlist. Entrants do not have to pay any additional fees to be considered for the prizes.
The 2026 Special Prizes
Best Use of Natural Light, supported by VELUX, The Sustainability Prize supported by ROCKWOOL, Best use of Stone Supported by Turkish Stones, Best Use of Colour Prize supported by Della Group and Small Project of the Year are this year's special prizes. View the 2026 finalists.
Other WAF Competitions
The GROHE Water Prize
Supported by GROHE
The GROHE Water Prize awards visionary projects that are pushing the boundaries of design within the built environment and water. View the 2026 winner and shortlist.
Student Charrette
WAF's global student design charrette is an integral part of the Festival. Student teams are invited to submit proposals and present live during the festival. View the 2026 teams.WAFX Awards
What is WAFX?
Launched in WAF’s 10th year, WAFX celebrates international proposals which embrace cutting-edge design addressing major world issues. Ranging from tackling the climate emergency to building community resilience.
2026 winners
The winning projects for each of the 2026 WAFX categories have been revealed, they will go on to present their projects live on the Festival Hall Stage at WAF 2026. The overall WAFX winner will be revealed at the Gala Dinner on the final day of the festival.
2025 winners
View the WAFX winner from 2025 and see who took home to overall winner prize.
WAF 2025 took place in Miami - congratulations to all the winners!
From churches and chapels to airports and ecological spaces, view all of the projects that took home the coveted trophies in WAF's inaugural year in the USA.
Films
Hear from previous winners and keynote speakers by watching WAF’s latest films.
WAF 2025 Photos
Take a look at the photos from last year's event in Miami!
2025 Shortlist Photo Gallery
If you had your photo taken by our famous shortlist wall at WAF 2025 in Singapore then you can download your image here!
World Buildings Directory
The World Buildings Directory is the only place to view projects entered into past and present WAF awards. The site includes some of the most innovative and ground-breaking designs in the world.
Entry FAQs
Need help with your entry? You may be able to find the answers to your questions in our handy entry FAQs.
Founder Partner
WAF x Della Townships
Strategic Future Cities Partner
