MIAMI BEACH — A team of graduate students from the University of Manitoba’s Faculty of Architecture has won the World Architecture Festival (WAF) 2025 Student Charrette, becoming the first Canadian team to ever receive the award. The competition took place November 11–14 during WAF’s first North American edition in Miami Beach.
The project originated from Thy Nguyen’s Master of Architecture thesis, Sponge by the Forks, which examined how sponge-based landscape systems could filter polluted runoff and strengthen connections between people and Winnipeg’s rivers. When WAF released its annual charrette brief inviting proposals for a new lakeside or seaside public attraction, Nguyen submitted her thesis for consideration. In July, she learned it had been selected as a finalist.
Nguyen formed a team of five Master of Architecture students: Herself, Natalie Cole Bajet, Joanna Babadilla, Dominico Obmerga IV, and Dallin Chicoine, supported by faculty advisors Neil Minuk and Brian Rex. Due to travel costs, only three members attended the event in person, while Nguyen participated remotely because of visa difficulties.
The University of Manitoba team presented on Friday at 11 a.m., with remote team members joining via Zoom from Winnipeg. Working within the three-day charrette period, the students developed a proposal that expanded on the thesis by addressing sediment — a byproduct of sponge systems that is often overlooked. Their design introduced porous sediment bricks, a circular system that makes water filtration and renewal visible to the public. Judges noted the project’s clarity, innovation, and environmental relevance.
The World Architecture Festival is regarded as one of the leading events in the global architecture calendar, featuring live project presentations, debates, and awards. Major firms such as Foster + Partners, BIG – Bjarke Ingels Group, Zaha Hadid Architects, SOM, OMA, Gensler, and Perkins&Will were present in Miami to showcase their recent work.
The Manitoba students received confirmation of their win at 3 p.m. the same day and were invited to the WAF Gala at 7 p.m., where winners from all festival categories were recognized. The team was presented with their trophy on stage by Stuart Rough of Broadway Malyan, sponsor of the student competition.
The team competed against student groups from Pratt Institute, Queen’s University Belfast, and Universidad Doctor José Matías Delgado. Their win represents a major achievement for the University of Manitoba and underscores the growing visibility of Canadian architectural education on the international stage.
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