25 Martin Place, Sydney, Australia – Mixed-Use 

Woods Bagot, together with Harry Seidler & Associates, collaborated to provide a concept to reinvigorate the podium of the former MLC Centre, now known as 25 Martin Place, which was originally designed by the late Harry Seidler, and opened in 1978. Cementing its reputation as the pre-eminent office, retail and urban address in Martin Place and the Sydney CBD, the design strives to preserve the existing Seidler legacy through adaptive reuse of the existing precast architectural expression while creating a distinctly new organic ‘ribbon’ to unite the entire development’s composition. 

Woods Bagot Director Domenic Alvaro says, “The completion of 25 Martin Place, and its recognition in the World Architecture Awards this year, marks a proud and transformative moment for our city and our studio. Reimagining one of Sydney’s most iconic addresses, the project brings together and office precinct that includes lane and street revitalisation, new destination dining, a sophisticated retail precinct, and a revitalised theatre precinct to create a new civic and cultural heart in the CBD. It’s a place where architecture amplifies experience—where heritage and innovation meet to support a vibrant, day-to-night urban life. The project also represents a 12 year collaboration with Seidler and Associates — together we are proud to have led a design that not only respects its legacy but reshapes it for the future of Sydney.” 

Central Station, Sydney, Australia – Transport  

Designed by Woods Bagot in collaboration with John McAslan + Partners, Sydney’s Central Station has undergone a one-in-100-year renovation of Sydney’s Central Station, to catalyse future precinct growth. The transformation of Central Station to accommodate a state-of-the-art metro interchange required the design of spatially and structurally efficient operational segments, with sophisticated, multilevel passenger flow strategies poised to accommodate 450,000 daily passengers. Servicing 96 percent of Sydney’s train services, Central Station forms the backbone of the entire rail network. The renovation features a dramatic new main entrance sequence for the impressive early 20th-century edifice and incorporates as its centrepiece a distinctive 50m-span vaulted roof. 

Woods Bagot Principal and Global Transport Lead John Prentice says, “The new metro and concourse insertions are designed to be purposeful, functional, and sculpturally rich to complement the historic qualities of the original station. Vaulted roofs are inspired by the original terminus station, and the selection of materials, such as engineered sandstone, establishes the proposals into their local context and provides a civic quality to the new station works. We’re incredibly proud to be a part of a collective, city-shaping project that will have a positive impact on the way people travel through Sydney for generations to come – setting a global benchmark for the way other cities will travel and live in the future.” 

The International, Sydney, Australia – Interiors – Bar and Restaurants  

Rising between Harry Seidler’s “Modernist Mushroom” and the heritage-listed MLC Centre, The International draws energy from the precinct’s modernist design principals, celebrating its place within the cultural epicentre of the CBD. One destination, three venues, each level offers distinct yet connected experiences. Open kitchens serve as the conceptual heartbeat of each level, blurring traditional boundaries between service and dining areas.

Woods Bagot Principal and Interiors Lead Tracey Wiles says, “we’ve embraced Seidler’s influence, drawing inspiration from his bold use of colour and form, integration of art and architecture and open spatial planning. The result is a romantic reimagining of mid-century style, tailored for contemporary tastes and sensibilities. Our vision for The International was to create a destination that achieves a delicate balance between calm, pared-back design and bold, mid-century modern influences. It’s a place where the spirit of long lunches and memorable dates lives on but reimagined for future generations. It’s a space that feels both grounded and aspirational.” 

Journey Beyond, Adelaide, Australia – Interiors – Hotels 

Drawing on the legacy of cross-country rail, the Gold Premium carriages reference the nostalgia and romance long associated with train travel. The interior design incorporates Australian architectural motifs and residential details from the arts-and-crafts movement. The Gold Premium carriages draw inspiration from the Federation-style homes of the late-nineteenth century: a uniquely Australian expression of the English Edwardian home that blends European influences with antipodean sensibility. The design emphasises the authenticity, heritage, functionality and connection to the outback that is quintessentially Australian. The experience is intended to engender an appreciation for the landscape, to sustain the wellbeing of the local people, and to educate through experience. 

“The carriages convey the beauty and romance long associated with slow travel, with a design response that is deeply contextual to the history and topography of Australia,” says Woods Bagot Principal Rosina Di Maria. “The Gold Premium carriages restore the glamour of transcontinental rail travel that capture a genuine sense of place. The design response is deeply contextual to the history and topography of Australia, referencing the lands across which the train travels and the people who live on it. Inspired by First Nations landscape artist Albert Namatjira, the interior palette responds to Namatjira’s works, from the silvers of majestic ghost gums to the red tones of the earth.” 

Suzhou Yanlord Cangjie, Suzhou, China – Shopping  

Spanning 140,000 square meters, Cangjie reinterprets Suzhou’s cultural heritage through a modern lens. The design harmonizes historic charm with contemporary ingenuity, featuring streetscapes that echo the city’s timeless aesthetics and a striking 3D vertical garden that bridges classical motifs with futuristic forms. More than a retail destination, Cangjie has emerged as a cultural nexus, hosting over 200 brands – 70% of which are new to Suzhou or China – alongside dynamic events that celebrate art, music, and community. Since its launch, the project has drawn millions of visitors, offering a sanctuary for “slow living” where serene spaces coexist with vibrant social hubs. 

Woods Bagot Principal and Retail Sector Leader for Hong Kong Christopher Lye says, “We’re thrilled to see Suzhou Yanlord Cangjie finalisted at the World Architecture Festival Awards – a testament to the collective ambition of our team and Yanlord Land Group. From the start, we challenged ourselves to rethink retail spaces, blending Suzhou’s cultural heritage with contemporary design to create somewhere people don’t just visit, but truly experience. This acknowledgment celebrates not just the outcome, but the years of collaboration, iteration, and care that made it possible. It’s a joy to see the project’s vibrant energy resonate globally, and we hope it inspires more places designed for connection, not just commerce.” 

Younghusband,  Melbourne, Australia – Creative Re-use 

Younghusband is Melbourne’s largest net-zero-carbon, adaptive reuse precinct. The 1.57-hectare site, in Melbourne’s inner-west suburb of Kensington, is home to a 122-year-old redbrick wool store and adjoining network of industrial early-20th-century buildings. Using a design methodology that seeks to “lightly touch” the existing historic structures, Woods Bagot has retained the rich heritage character of the brick warehouses, including decommissioned bail elevators and wool pulleys, original Younghusband painted signage, steel-framed windows, and a distinctive sawtooth roof.  

Woods Bagot Principal Peter Miglis says, “creative adaptive reuse of existing buildings is one of the most sustainable practices that architects can do. Breathing new life into old spaces both radically reduces carbon emissions and preserves emplaced community history, regenerating old structures and opening up underutilised spaces, allowing 150 year-old projects to have another 150 years of new life. New additions to Younghusband have been designed to be ‘contemporary yet complementary’, resulting in a highly functional built form that is rich with personality and patina, and the local community can enjoy.”   

This year’s festival will be held in Miami, in WAF’s inaugural US event. WAF will be hosted at the Miami Beach Convention Center from 12 – 14 November 2025, where winning projects will be selected.  

View the full shortlist here.

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Adrien Moffatt
Content and Communications Specialist (Australia)