The first winners of the 2013 World Architecture Festival, and INSIDE: World Festival of Interiors, have been announced, with seven Australian practices coming out tops across several categories.

Cox Rayner Architects (Casey and Rebekah Vallance) won a House Award for the Left-Over-Space House, a demonstration of what can be achieved on the myriad of ‘left-over’ spaces frequently found in inner cities, such as disused easements or parking lots.

The judges praised the beautiful detailing and masterful craft and said that there is a realness and authenticity to the spirit of the house and its owners.

The firm went on to win two other projects – the National Maritime Museum of China, under the Future Projects Culture category, and the Brisbane Ferry Terminals Post-Flood Recover for the Future Projects Infrastructure category.

Andrew Maynard Architects received a High Commendation for its HOUSE House project, which is the creation of a single building with mirrored spaces wrapped around a central spine.

HOUSE House by Andrew Maynard Architects. Image: Peter Bennetts

“[It is] bold in its attitude to engage the carpark and neighbourhood,” praised the jury.

Swanston Academic Building, RMIT University by Melbourne-based Lyons Architecture received a Higher Education High Commendation, while Koning Eizenberg took home a Housing Award for the 28th Street Apartments in USA.

28th Street Apartments by Koning Eizenberg. Image: Eric Staudenmeier

According to the judges, the 28th Street Apartments “demonstrates architecture as an agent for social transformation. The architect was able to knit together historical continuity and something very new, something of high architectural value.”

Completing the home run at day one of WAF is Francis-Jones Morehen Thorp (fjmt), which won a Religious High Commendation for its work on St Barnabas Church.

St Barnabas Church by FJMT

The 2013 INSIDE Awards, WAF’s sister event, have also already yielded a few Australian winners.

FJMT took home a Culture Award for its work with Archimedia on the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki in New Zealand, a culturally significant project that will provide an urban focus and create a unique opportunity to reveal and interpret the history of the site, while revitalising an important part of the city.

Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki by FJMT + Archimedia

At the same time, HASSELL secured an Office Award for advertising and marketing agency Clemenger BBDO’s new Sydney office. The design approach for this project adapts a hybrid of two relatively individual design attitudes – clean lines representing clarity of idea, while an industrial aesthetic reinforces a hands-on approach to work.

Clemenger BBDO by HASSELL. Image: Nicole England

Johnson Pilton Walker Architects was also highly commended for the Sydney Cruise Terminal.

Sydney Cruise Terminal by Johnson Pilton Walker

Full list of WAF winners:

Housing
28th Street Apartments, USA by Koning Eizenberg Architecture, Inc

House
The Left-Over-Space House, Australia by Cox Rayner Architects

High education/research
University of Exeter, Forum Project, UK by Wilkinson Eyre Architect

Future projects - office
Selcuk Ecza Headquarters, Turkey by tabbalioglu architects

Future projects – leisure-led development
Singapore Sports Hub by Singapore Sports Hub Design

Future projects – house
Meditation House, Lebanon by MZ Architects

Future projects – culture
National Maritime Museum of China by Cox Rayner Architects

Future project – commercial mixed-use
New office in Central London, UK by Allford Hall Monagh

Shopping
Emporia, Sweden by Wingårdh Arkitektkontor

Schools
Frontys Sports College, Netherlands by Mecanoo International

Future projects – infrastructure
Brisbane Ferry Terminals Post-Flood Recover, Australia by Cox Rayner Architects

Future projects – masterplanning
Earls Court masterplan, UK by Farrells

Future projects – health
New Sulaibikhat Medical Center, Kuwait by AGI Architects

Winner display
Denmark’s Aquarium, The Blue Planet by 3XN

Full list of INSIDE category winners:

Creative Re-use
Dardanel Administration Building by Alatas Architecture & Consulting

Culture category
Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki by Francis-Jones Morehen Thorp, fjmt + Archimedia (Architects in Association)

Health category
Knowledge Centre, St. Olavs Hospital by Nordic Office of Architecture

Office category
Clemenger BBDO by HASSELL
Highly recommended Google Japan by Klein Dytham Architects

Shops
Tashya by charged voids

Shopping Centres
Emporia by Wingårdh arkitektkontor

Transport
Barrakka Lift by Architecture Project
Highly recommended Sydney Cruise Terminal by Johnson Pilton Walker Architects