Mumbai's architects and designers recently got a glimpse of the world's benchmark when it comes to constructing modern-day monuments. The World Architecture Festival (WAF), which is said to be one of the top three international architecture events, was held for two days at the Rizvi Educational Complex. 

In India for the first time and touring 16 cities, the festival showcased 30 winners in 30 categories, along with the World Building of the Year, from 2014.

With an exhibition of around 300 designs and buildings, the event only saw a fraction of the entries made by 65 countries. The organisers and panelists at the college felt that though the fraternity is thriving, with good work being done, it is not being showcased on an international platform.

"We have around 1,400 shortlisted designs and buildings to show, but due to space constraints, we are only able to show around 300. From India, only two architects have been shortlisted and have been winning. We are having this tour in the country so that we see more participation. If architects and students are building and designing on these lines, they should showcase it at such platforms," said Harsh Upadhyay, head of business development at Greenply Industries Limited, which has helped bring the festival to Indian cities.

"We want to create a mindset with the customers that profit from space is not everything. With this festival, we will introspect and learn where we lack and grow from there. If a small country like Vietnam can win five categories, I am sure Indian designers won't lag far behind. What we see today in India is that there are not many innovative designs or participation."

It is said one of the reasons behind low participation is the high entry fee of WAF, which is attended by Indian architects in the A+ category. The tour helps budding architects and designers to see what work is being done.