Strong showing from S’pore in World Architectural Fest shortlist

SINGAPORE — Singapore buildings and interiors are standing tall and proud these days.

Last week, PARKROYAL On Pickering was named as a joint winner for Hotel of the Year at the annual World Architecture News Awards.

The WOHA-designed hotel, which opened early this year, has already stirred up excitement among design and architectural buffs worldwide with its striking façade and green credentials. It has also been featured in countless spreads and photos in magazines and the web sphere.

The hotel shared the honour with luxury boutique hotel Raas in Jodhpur, India, and judges for the awards of the influential global resource centre for architecture have been effusive in their praise.

Larry Traxler, Senior Vice President of Global Design at Hilton, referred to it as “a new typology in sustainable hotel design”. It’s also been described as “a masterpiece” by Dr Lin Hao, a director of multi-disciplinary firm, Oval Partnership.

It’s the first international architecture-based award for PARKROYAL On Pickering, but it might not be the only one.

The hotel is also a shortlisted awards nominee both for the World Architectural Festival (WAF) and its interior design offshoot Inside Festival. The WAF is the largest festival for the global architecture community and is set to return to Marina Bay Sands in October.

But PARKROYAL On Pickering isn’t the only Singapore building on the radar. The WAF shortlist also included The Star Performing Arts Centre, Kent Vale Faculty Housing and Marina Bay Cruise Centre, as well as several churches like Bethel Assembly Of God in Geylang East Central and a handful of private residences.

Meanwhile, designphase dba’s Zafferano restaurant in Ocean Financial Centre, and Asylum’s Kaiseki Yoshiyuki and Horse’s Mouth at Forum The Shopping Mall were also nominated in the bars and restaurants category of the Inside Awards.

It’s going to be a tough contest for the Singapore nominees for the WAF. Other nominees include Zaha Hadid’s Heydar Aliyev Centre in Azerbaijan, TeamMinus’ Jinamani visitor centre in Tibet, Mecanoo’s Kaap Skil Maritime And Beachcombers Museum in the Netherlands, Wingardh Arkitektkontor AB’s Empora in Sweden and 3XN’s The Blue Planet in Denmark.

Still, Singapore buildings are no pushovers. Last year, the conservatories of Gardens By The Bay took top honours as WAF’s World Building Of The Year.

Could back-to-back wins be in the works?

For the shortlists for World Architectural Festival and Inside Awards, visit www.worldarchitecturefestival.com.