The World Architecture Festival (WAF), a prestigious networking, awards, and trade show event, is making its U.S. debut this year. Miami Beach has been selected to host this major international gathering in November 2025, with the season kicking off at a launch event on February 5th at The Bass Museum. Amid cocktails and vibrant energy, the Nichols Architects team had the opportunity to learn more about the event and connect with new and familiar faces.

What sets WAF apart is its unique format for presenting selected projects. At the Miami Beach Convention Center, where the event will be held, presentations will go beyond the main stage. Breakout rooms shaped like inflatable ‘igloos’—one for each building category—will provide an intimate setting for teams to share their creative journey. In these spaces, presenters will dive into their process, concepts, challenges, and the strategic decisions that shaped their final solutions.

The three-day event, taking place just before Art Week, is expected to attract a global network of architectural firms to Miami. In addition to the main event at the convention center, tours and other networking sessions will be held throughout the city.

Hosting WAF in Miami offers an unprecedented opportunity for local architects to engage with an international community of industry leaders, fostering an exchange of ideas that influence the future of the built environment. As an active contributor to Miami’s evolving architectural landscape, Nichols Architects looks forward to participating in this global dialogue. With the city’s rapid growth and diverse design influences, welcoming WAF further solidifies Miami’s position on the world stage, inviting architects and designers to experience its dynamic built environment firsthand.