Firms large and small alike showcased their work in the realm of global shelter In today?s unstable environmental, social, and political climate, can architects play a role in creating a more equal society" Organizers of the World Architecture Festival, held last week in Berlin, Germany, seem to think so.
The festival focused on the theme of ?Housing for Everyone? and the challenges this concept presents to those in the architecture field whose services tend to cater to the wealthy few. Speakers explored the theme in a series of lectures on topics ranging from making high-end housing concepts more inclusive, to the challenges of designing temporary structures for refugees and innovating ?cradle-to-grave? living.
In addition to presenting discussions and debates, the festival featured firms from around the world presenting 343 projects they hoped would clinch awards. Keeping with the festival?s theme, the ?Housing?Completed Buildings? category was chock-full of innovative projects.
Photo by Simon Devitt
The Pacific Games Village

?The WAF awards [are] about how [to] make the world a better place through architecture,? says Shannon Joe of New Zealand firm Warren and Mahoney Architects. ?We tried to achieve this by exploring the concept of identity.?
Their entry, Pacific Games Village, was built to house 4,000 athletes and officials for the the 2015 Pacific Games in Papua New Guinea and now houses university students. The buildings dra...