New Architecture Heals

We are all asking how we can help improve our world from climate issues and we are all searching via new technologies and new buildings to help in our world crisis. It is often the students who come up with new ideas and help the void of ideas. Probably because for the last 25 years we have all been talking sustainability, protection and general good practice, so a new breed of students has not known a world without these discussion points, so their works, of course, encompass these valuable ideas as well as coming from places we don’t always expect.

Image on right Muscowpetung Powwow Arbour by Oxbow Architecture Inc. & Richard Kroeke Muscowpetung Saulteaux Nation, Saskatchewan, Canada

Twenty exemplary future projects which address major architectural issues facing society and the planet have been shortlisted for this year’s World Architecture Festival WAFX Awards. The 2022 WAFX shortlist celebrates international proposals which embrace cutting-edge design approaches to address major world issues ranging from tackling the climate emergency to building community resilience.

The Tower of Life by BAD – Built by Associative Data Dakar, Senegal

These projects are ultimately about innovative thinking, problem-solving and design vision. This year’s shortlist includes two projects by young international design and architectural practice Built by Associative Data (BAD). This includes the Tower of Life, an iconic tower proposed for Dakar, Senegal, symbolising Africa’s future role in leading a global design agenda that champions ecology, bio-computation, material engineering, decentralised economy and sustainable development.

Toronto’s Indigenous Hub by Stantec Architecture Toronto, Canada

The shortlist also features a cultural venue co-designed with an indigenous prairie community in Canada by Oxbow Architecture to celebrate community and strengthen cultural traditions, and a nature and people first masterplan for a brownfield site in Toronto.

The Forest City Project by BAD – Built by Associative Data + Guallart Architects Libreville, Gabon

A number of shortlisted projects show the power of architecture to marry physical and digital worlds in the future. These range from the mega YTL Arena Complex by Grimshaw in Bristol, UK, to a Graduation Hall for Sol Plaatje University by Savage+Dodd Architects in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Graduation Hall Sol Plaatje University by Savage+Dodd Architects Johannesburg, South Africa

The World Architecture Festival has been bringing together the global architecture community for over a decade, The World Architecture Festitval  Lisbon from 30 November – 2 December 2022