Now in their 17th year, the global WAN Awards are intended to celebrate outstanding architecture on an international scale. Get started on your entry today and take advantage of the last month of discounted early bird entry.
Every project entered in the WAN Awards is assessed by an expert panel of senior industry judges from across the world.
Ian Brewster is the Principal and Design Director of Brewster Hjorth Architects, based in Surry Hills, Sydney which he founded with Andrew Hjorth in 1997, to focus on the public architecture. Over the last two decades he has lead the firm in a range of public buildings, including libraries, teaching and research buildings for schools and universities, theatres and sports centres. His current projects include large aquatic centres, indoor sports centres, a new football stadium, civic libraries, theatres and a large recital hall.
He tells WAN Award entrants to “remember that the judges probably do not know your building” adding “construct your entry in a way that lets them see how your project addresses its user's needs and what its contribution is to the advancement of architectural ideas."
He says: "On a practical level be sure to explain how your building is arranged in plan and section; how it fits with its physical and natural environment, how its users interact with it. Be clear with your descriptions.”
Ian believes the process of assessing and publishing the WAN awards is an important part of a global dialogue between architects working in diverse environments around the world.
“It enables all of us to better understand the effects of local conditions on our own work, and helps us establish connections with other architects working in very different environments to our own,” he says.
Robert Fry was appointed Deputy Chairman of Aukett Swanke Group Plc in April 2023 with responsibly for the Group's UK architecture and international operations. Robert joined the board in March 2018 as Executive Director and Managing Director – International.
He tells WAN Award entrants to “keep the material simple and express the ideas clearly.”
He says: “The WAN Awards provide a global platform for the recognition of the talent and endeavours of architects from hugely varying backgrounds.”
Architect Christian Galvao is Vice-President of Boston-based Elkus-Manfredi Architects where he focuses on urban design for mixed-use developments, research, commercial, and institutional buildings. His recent work includes the Liberty Wharf mixed-use development, Seaport Square residential towers, MassMutual's headquarters and Boston Celtics Auerbach Center, all in Boston, and the Eli Lilly building in Fort Point Channel. Additional projects include the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston and master planning for Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Case Western University and Duke University.
He will be looking out for projects with “a strong clear concept, which address the surrounding urban context and the future users of the building”.
He says: “The WAN awards are a way to acknowledge the efforts of not only an individual but a team behind a name. This celebrates the extreme dedication, hopefully helping and informing others on their present and future projects and on how to improve designs of buildings and urban interventions.”