Guangzhou Baiyun International Convention Centre

Guangzhou Baiyun International Convention Centre, China, designed by Belgian practice Buro II, has been named winner in the Civic category at the prestigious World Architecture Festival Awards (WAF Awards) 2008.

The WAF Awards are taking place at the Centre Convencions International Barcelona (CCIB) during the inaugural World Architecture Festival in Barcelona between the 22nd and 24th October. The biggest architectural awards programme in the world, the WAF Awards are designed to celebrate the work, concerns and aspirations of the international architectural community.

Guangzhou Baiyun International Convention Centre was selected by a panel of some of the world’s most distinguished architects and renowned industry experts. It won against strong competition from a shortlist of 12 entries and was awarded the prize for breaking down the enormous scale of this building type and integrating nature into the design.

The judges said: “Instead of creating one large volume, as is typically done with this kind of building, Buro II developed a scheme with five finger-like structures separated by landscaped plazas. They even designed four eco-bridges to cross a highway and connect the convention centre to a nearby nature reserve at the foot of a mountain range. And by using local materials, such as red sandstone, they helped anchor the buildings to their site.”

Speaking at the WAF Awards Paul Finch, WAF programme director and editor of Architectural Review, said: “We have seen a huge response to the Awards, which recognise and celebrate international excellence. The quantity and quality of the entries provides a real showcase of global architecture and highlights how architects change the way we think about buildings. Our congratulations go to Buro II for Guangzhou Baiyun International Convention Centre, which thoroughly deserves this accolade. It is an example of an innovative solution on an extra large scale.”

The Guanzghou Baiyun International Convention Centre will now go forward to compete against 16 other category winners to win the ultimate ‘best in show’ prize, the title of World Building of the Year. The winner will be announced by Lord Foster at an Awards ceremony in Barcelona on 24th October 2008.