Australian projects have taken out awards in this year's World Architecture Festival (WAF) Awards, presented live in Miami. Of the 460 projects that made the shortlist, 36 were Australian, and two have been named category winners.
In the Completed Buildings category, Woods Bagot has won the Creative Reuse subcategory for its Younghusband project, which involved the regeneration of over 17,000 square metres of former industrial landscape in inner-west Melbourne into a thriving urban village. Using a "light touch" methodology, the project retains and restores much of the 120-year-old heritage fabric, while new insertions enable functional spaces for retail, fashion, wellness, food and beverage, startups, arts and culture, and temporary events. Younghusband is also shortlisted for the Sustainability Prize.
In the Retrofit subcategory, BVN's Sirius Redevelopment was named the winner. Originally opened in 1981 as social housing, the Sirius building remains a highly visible landmark within the historic Rocks precinct of Sydney. BVN was part of a consortium that worked to retain the structure when it was slated for demolition, reimagining a new chapter for the building centred around public activation, precinct connectivity and enhanced apartment amenity for contemporary living.
While three of the four overarching awards categories have been revealed, the winning and highly commended projects in the Landscape category are yet to be announced.
The category winners will be considered for the World Building of the Year, World Landscape of the Year, and Future Project of the Year Awards.
A full list of winners and entrants can be accessed online.
