From a Very Local Project to a Global Stage: World Architecture Festival 2024
We are beyond proud to share that SHAPE & SHADE was selected as a Finalist at the World Architecture Festival 2024 in Singapore with our project Kamenica’s Transit Oasis.
Held at the iconic Marina Bay Sands from November 6–8, WAF is not just the world’s largest live-judged architecture awards program — it is the global stage where architects, designers, and thinkers from across the world come together to exchange ideas, present bold visions, and imagine the future of design.
Presenting on the World Stage
For us, stepping onto the WAF stage to present Kamenica’s Transit Oasis was a milestone moment. Sharing our project — rooted in community participation, heritage, and playfulness — with an international jury and audience reaffirmed our belief that design starts from the local but resonates globally.
Kamenica’s Transit Oasis transforms a simple bus station into a place of gathering, imagination, and memory, co-created with children and the local community. Presenting it in Singapore, thousands of kilometers away from Kamenica, gave us the chance to tell a story of how small cities can lead big ideas, and how identity and tradition can become drivers of contemporary urban design.
The WAF Experience
WAF is more than an award. It is three days of inspiration, with architects presenting their projects live, fostering open dialogue, and celebrating the diversity of architectural thinking worldwide. Being there, surrounded by some of the most innovative practices of our time, reminded us why we do what we do: to design with spirit, with people, and with culture at the center.
We also had the chance to connect with fellow designers, exchange perspectives, and experience the vibrant discussions that make WAF such an important platform. From large-scale urban visions to intimate interiors, every presentation was a learning moment and a spark of inspiration.
A Milestone for SHAPE & SHADE™
Becoming a finalist at WAF 2024 marks a new chapter for us. It is recognition that our approach — blending heritage, identity, and innovation — resonates beyond borders. It is also motivation to keep pushing forward, bringing more projects, more stories, and more ideas from Kosovo and the region to the world stage.
Reflection: What We Take Home from Singapore
Presenting at WAF reminded us that architecture is not only about buildings, but about voices, communities, and values. Standing in front of the jury and peers from around the world, we felt proud to represent Kamenica, Kosovo, and our philosophy of design. The experience gave us courage: that even from a small studio in a small city, our work can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with global practices. We return with renewed energy, new connections, and a stronger belief in our mission to design for people, memory, and future generations.
