The World Architecture Festival (WAF) is delighted to announce the launch of WAFVirtual from 30 November – 4 December 2020, where the worldwide architectural community can engage in a week of live content, special prizes, talks, panel discussions and networking opportunities with peers and our WAF partners. Registration will be free for architects and design professionals. 

Headline speakers will include Sir Peter Cook, Jeanne Gang of Studio Gang and Ben van Berkel of UNStudio. A series of talks will discuss pressing international topics including living with pandemics and winning new business in a post-Covid world, as well as looking at the very latest developments in product design, technical innovation, and emerging architects. 

There will also be coverage of special prizes including the WAF/ PechaKucha ‘Isolation Transformed’ competition, The Architecture Drawing Prize, and the GROHE Water Research Prize, entry details below. 

In addition, the first edition of WAF China will take place at the end of November, including online awards judging, talks, and a live ceremony in Chengdu. More details soon to be announced. 

Due to the global impact of the Coronavirus pandemic, the World Architecture Festival and INSIDE World Festival of Interiors will now take place from 23 to 25 June 2021, remaining at the FIL exhibition centre in Lisbon. The festival will continue to include live judging, keynote talks, fringe events, exhibitions, and award presentations. 

The WAF awards entry deadline will be extended to 8 January 2021; all completed buildings up to that date may be entered, as well as future projects, interiors, and landscape designs. 

Commenting on the updated programme, WAF and INSIDE Programme Director Paul Finch commented: ‘We have been closely monitoring the ongoing pandemic situation, and, with safety being our number one priority, have concluded that postponement of the physical festival from the original December date is the best course of action for all concerned. We are turning the challenge of postponement into opportunities to provide additional online content and to expand the WAF brand in 

China. We look forward to being able to meet in happier and safer circumstances next June, and thank our partners, supporters, award entrants, speakers and judges for their ongoing support.’ 

For more details on World Architecture Festival 2021 or to register free for WAFVirtual in December 2020 please visit www.worldarchitecturefestival.com or @worldarchfest #WAF2021 #WAFVirtual 

Press, images and interview requests: Caro Communications: 020 7713 9388; @carocomms 

Charlotte Treadwell – charlotte@carocommunications.com 

Claire Barrett – claire@carocommunications.com 

For further information on partnership opportunities please contact James.Priest@emap.com 

About World Architecture Festival (WAF)

About World Architecture Festival (WAF) 

World Architecture Festival and INSIDE World Festival of Interiors will take place at the FIL exhibition centre, Lisbon on the 23-25 June 2021. 

WAF is where the world architecture community meets to celebrate, learn, exchange and be inspired. 

WAF is the world’s largest annual, international, live architectural event. It includes the biggest international architectural awards programme in the world, dedicated to celebrating excellence via live presentations to an audience of high-profile delegates and international juries. 

The 2021 World Architecture Festival (WAF) comprises: 

- A thematic conference programme (based on the theme ‘Greening the City’) 

- Electronic gallery of all Award entries 

- Exhibition area 

- Live judging of finalists ‘projects 

- Networking and social events including partner fringe events 

- Winners Dinner 

About the INSIDE World Festival

INSIDE World Festival of Interiors runs alongside WAF, with its own awards and conference programme. Delegates have access to both events. 

Awards entries for WAF and INSIDE 2021 will close on 8th January 2021 

About WAFVirtual 

WAFVirtual is a brand-new online event taking place on the 30 November – 4 December 2020. Registration is free for architects and design professionals. 

WAFVirtual will consist of: 

• Keynote talks 

• Panel discussions