Ritchie Studio
Ian RITCHIE | Founder
highlights…
- Holistic approach
- Sensitivity to site and context including the community
- Materiality and sustainability
preparation…
Having performed the role before (2017 Berlin) I was familiar with the format.
Online review of all submissions, and while in Singapore and first review online before the live presentations.
jury role & effects…
The elegant and precise presentations of a few architects was a joy.
I knew two other members of the super jury.
remarkable projects & presentations…
The observatory in Cyprus was a delightful architectural and social engaging project, and well executed, and a beautiful ‘stand-alone object’ work of architecture.
super jury role…
I have not been on a category final jury, and it must be quite gruelling!
Receiving an architectural award is always special, and a WAF Award extra special as it is ‘live’, and in front of an international audience of one’s peers.
WAF Super Jury member is a privilege, and one I have taken seriously.
Not winning a WAF Category is a disappointment, but one always respects the jury’s decision in any competition.
about WAF…
There is an inevitable bias in the number of projects towards the geographical location, Singapore it was Oceania/Asia; and also that the number of Chinese projects submitted reflects the population of architects in China, whereas this is not so true of India for example. German speaking and Scandinavian architects seems to be reluctant to submit projects, the reason is unknown to me.
WAF 2025 & Miami…
I anticipate many more North and Central American projects in Miami next year.
I expect to see more construction product/trade representation at the WAF 2025 and maybe extend invitations to institutions like the RIBA/AIA et al.
I expect more glitz! WAF will benefit by becoming truly global though WAF 2025 Miami.
development & progress of WAF…
WAF has maintained high standards of organisation and judging since its inception, primarily because of its founders’ deep knowledge of architecture and history, and through journalism and publishing combined with a genuine participatory pool of good architects and others prepared to judge. I can envisage more publishing, especially if published well ahead of the event.
It has always suffered from the environment [volume of the halls] noise intrusion and overload. This ought to be solved as it is an architectural event and architects are supposed to create comfortable environments.
The jury rooms need more acoustic isolation which in turn would allow the WAF X-arena more importance. That is not to say that the sense of energy/dynamic of the event itself should be underplayed.
There should be more opportunity for interactive exhibitors, needs encouraging interactive robotics/AI.
An enhanced social area not limited to the food area. Maybe a good bar!!
