GROHE, a leading global brand for complete bathroom and kitchen solutions, is proud to expand its long-standing partnership with the World Architecture Festival (WAF) as the program makes its highly anticipated North American debut. Set to take place in Miami from November 12-14, 2025, WAF will bring together the world’s most distinguished architects and designers for three dynamic days of talks, on-site judging sessions, exhibitions, fringe events, and the largest live awards program of its kind – all highlighting how the power of design shapes the future.
To celebrate the upcoming WAF 2025 edition and its theme, “Hearts & Minds,” GROHE, a partner of the festival since its inception in 2008, hosted a special kickoff event on February 6, as part of a week of festivities around the newly opened LIXIL Water Experience Center in New York City. The evening featured three engaging panel discussions, bringing together world-renowned architects, interior designers, and industry leaders to explore how architecture and design influence the way we think, feel, and live – while also delivering more functional and sustainable outcomes.
Moderated by Jean-Jacques L’Hénaff, Leader of LIXIL Global Design Americas, the panels included thought-leaders such as Paul Flowers, Chief Design Officer, LIXIL; Paul Finch, Programme Director, WAF; Kai Bergmann, Partner, BIG; Danny Forster, Partner, Danny Forster & Architecture; Vanessa Deleon, Vanessa Deleon Associates; Corey Damen Jenkins, Corey Damen Jenkins & Associates; and Daun Curry, Daun Curry Design Studio.
“Design and innovation aren’t just part of our work at GROHE – they define it. Partnering with WAF allows us to support bold ideas and emerging talents that push the industry forward,” said L’Hénaff.
“As WAF’s influence continues to expand, we are proud to help spark meaningful conversations that will ignite creativity and inspire the next generation of architects and designers,” added Irina Briller, Marketing Director, GROHE.
In addition to the launch event in New York City, GROHE will also host a number of events across the US and Canada to help promote WAF and engage with local architects and designers ahead of the November festival.
“We are delighted to be bringing the World Architecture Festival to Miami,” said World Architecture Festival Programme Director Paul Finch. “We hope that the locational change, which is intended to generate extra interest from Central and South America, as well as from the USA and Canada, will be a stimulus to our regular award entrants.”
Entries for the WAF Awards program are now open. The awards sit at the heart of the festival, the only global awards program where architects present their projects live to a panel of international judges and delegates. Award entries are open until April 25, and entrants can take advantage of an early bird rate until March 14. More information on how to enter can be found here.
