Shortlist World Architecture Festival (WAF) 2023

MJARC is proud to announce that it will represent Portugal with the Saramagayo House project, designed by Architect Maria João Andrade, awarded the European 40 Under 40 award, which highlights the next generation of European designers and architects, in co-authorship with architect Ricardo Cordeiro, in Singapore at the World Architecture Festival (WAF) 2023.Located at Quinta Vinícola Saramagayo, the Saramagayo house is integrated in the monumental landscape of the Alto Douro UNESCO World Heritage Site. The project design results from a careful reading of all the natural and built elements that make up this extraordinary landscape, seeking to create a contemporary and harmonious building, respecting its environmental, cultural and human heritage.

The World Architecture Festival, which will take place between November 29 and December 1 in Singapore, is one of the main international competitions in the field of architecture that aims to promote architectural projects in different categories. The Future Projects – House category of the WAF is one of the highlighted aspects in this competition, bringing together innovative projects from several countries, with MJARC being the only Portuguese architectural office in this competition.

During the competition, the selected projects will have the opportunity to be presented before a renowned jury, composed of 140 members from 68 countries. Participants will be evaluated by their peers, which provides a unique experience. The finalists will have the opportunity to present their projects in their respective categories on the first days of the competition, and the winners will have the opportunity to present in front of the Super Jury on the last day.

This is the third time MJARC is a WAF finalist. The Douro Valley House project was selected in 2018, followed by the Hotel Vínico Douro project in 2022. The MJARC team is proud to represent Portuguese architecture on the international stage of the World Architecture Festival and hopes that the Saramagayo House project will be recognized for its quality and originality.