Filipino Architects in the World Architecture Festival 2017

Architects in the Philippines will take the international center stage again in the upcoming World Architecture Festival (WAF) 2017 on November 15-17 that will be held at the Arena Berlin, Germany. Eight entries from the Philippines made it to the shortlist where the architects will present their designs live.


According to WAF website, the festival is “a live architecture competition… WAF features live crit presentations by all of the award finalists, with live judging and discussion.” The live presentation will take place on November 15-17. It is a grueling two-day event for the finalists who must defend their design and rein in the category they’re in. There are 30 categories to watch out for but our focus should be at the architects representing our country, the Philippines:

Eriksson Furunes + Leandro V. Locsin Partners + Boase, Streetlight Tagpuro, Tacloban
Category: Completed Buildings – Civic and Community

Source: worldarchitecturefestival.com

Streetlight is an orphanage and school in Tagpuro, Tacloban. The design is simple but the key feature of this project is the people who design and construct the said structure. It is no other than the community of Tagpuro. The firms involved in this project provide workshops about the principles of good design. In the construction phase of the project, the men of the community work alongside by the firm’s contractor.

WTA Architecture and Design Studio, El Museo del Prado en Filipinas, Makati
Category: Completed Buildings – Display

Source: wtadesignstudio.com

Museums are intimidating venues where exquisite and expensive masterpieces are displayed. But this project does the opposite. El Museo is a travelling exhibition located in public spaces of the Philippines. As explained by the firm, “the basis of the design comes from simplifying the museum experience into three parts (the art itself; the structure that houses the art and ample viewing areas for visitors).”

WTA Architecture and Design Studio, One Mall Valenzuela, Valenzuela City
Category: Completed Buildings – Shopping

Source: wtadesignstudio.com

In the sprawling 7,570-square meter land lies One Mall Valenzuela located in Gen. T. de Leon Street and near North Luzon Expressway. Ironically, the mall offers a breathing space in the midst of the dense urban community on its background.


The other shortlisted entries are the Chapel of St. Benedict and St. Scholastica in Pambuhan (WTA Architecture and Design Studio); the New Philippine Supreme Court Building (Jorge Yulo Architects & Associates); the New Supreme Court of Philippines (CAZA); Biomound in Malate (ASYA); and One Ayala in Makati (Visionary Architecture).


Hopefully, we will have a winner this time because even though we made it to the shortlist last year, none of our representative won. Who knows, this lucky 8 will finally bring home our much-awaited victory and will place architects in the Philippines at the top of the architectural scene.