Global Challenges Dictate Design for Award Winners
The largest mass timber building in New Zealand, a Sydney mental health facility and data centre-oil rigs are among the winners of a global architecture competition.
The future projects were recognised in a 34-strong list of WAFX Awards winners in the World Architecture Festival.
Warren and Mahoney’s design for Alexandria Health Centre in NSW (main image) was one of the top ageing and health category winners.
The project was led by Adele King for developer Centuria to create 6000sq m of class 9a medical space in Sydney. It is due to be completed in 2025.
RTA Studio’s design for Fisher and Paykel Global Headquarters in Auckland was also a winner, in the building and technology category.
Rich Naish led the office-campus project set for completion in 2026 on a brownfield site at Penrose, creating a home building for administration and shed for appliance prototypes connected by a 788sq m social kitchen.
World Architecture Festival director Paul Finch said the winners were selected for their ambition and scope. The overall winner is due to be announced in Singapore in November.
“We were delighted with the quantity and quality of projects which were looking at the biggest problems facing the world, and addressing them in a truly constructive way,” Finch said.
This year’s WAFX categories were Ageing and Health, Building Technology, Carbon Climate and Energy, Cultural Identity, Ethics and Values, Re-Use, Smart Cities, and Water.
The 2023 category winners ranged from an island centered around medical services in Dubai and an off-grid mixed-use tower in the United States, to an sand-storm absorbing skyscraper and an exhibition hall celebrating local bamboo craft in China.
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