ASIA - Marina Bay Sands in Singapore will host the World Architecture Festival (WAF) from 3-5 October 2012.
The three-day event, held for the first time in Asia, brings together internationally-established names in the industry as speakers and judges for the WAF Awards. These include Chris Wilkinson and Jim Eyre of Wilkinson Eye Architects, Andrew Grant of Grant Associates and Ivan Harbour of Rogers Stirk Harbour and Partners.
The 520 entries from 60 countries competing for the WAF Awards were shortlisted based on architectural merit and include 23 projects from Singapore such as the cooled conservatories at Gardens by the Bay, and Oasia Hotel.
"We are looking forward to hosting the World Architectural Festival for the first time in Singapore," says Group Director of the Architecture and Urban Design Excellence Urban Redevelopment Authority in Singapore, Larry Ng. "Beyond a well-planned city, architecture and urban design excellence is one of the key drovers to create a vibrant, liveable and distinctive city.
"We are encouraged by the partnerships between international architects and our local firms in various projects in Singapore and across Asia, such as Gardens by the Bay and Raffles City Hangzhou. The collaboration of such partnerships drive creative growth for the architectural industry as a whole.
"The conference sessions and events at WAF present key opportunities where such networks and partnerships are created and further strengthened," he adds.
Singapore will also host the 100% Design Singapore, which will be held from 10 - 12 October 2012 and is the third global edition of one of Britain's influential contemporary interior shows.
"These events reinforce Singapore's position as a design hub in the region and ideal partner to tap into the creative and business opportunities in Asia," says Singapore Tourism Board Area Director for Northern and Western Europe, Stephanie Yong. "MICE forms an integral part of Singapore's tourism landscape, with business travellers accounting for 24 per cent of total visitor arrivals."
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