World Architecture Festival's award shortlist

We thought buildings were simply a matter of four walls and a roof, with an assortment of doors and windows thrown in for good measure. How wrong we were.

The following collection of bold curves, stark lines and camera-grabbing spectacles make up just some of those buildings shortlisted for this year's World Architecture Festival awards. The winners of all 29 categories (including Housing, New and Old, and Religion) will be announced over the course of the festival, held in Singapore between 2-4 October.

For a closer look, click on the images below:

Heydar Aliyev Centre

Architect: Zaha Hadid Architects

Location: Azerbaijan

Award category: Culture

L'Avenue Shanghai

Architect: Leigh & Orange

Location: China

Award category: Shopping

Fazenda Boa Vista

Architect: Isay Weinfeld

Location: Brazil

Award category: Hotel/Leisure

Bethel Assembly of God Church

Architect: LAUD Architects Pte

Location: Singapore

Award category: Religious Buildings

The Blue Planet

Architect: 3XN

Location: Denmark

Award category: Display

Kontum Indochine Cafe

Architect: Vo Trong Nghia Architects

Location: Vietnam

Award category: Hotel/Leisure

Kaap Skil, Maritime & Beachcombers Museum

Architect: Mecanoo

Location: Netherlands

Award category: Culture

Emporia

Architect: Wingardh Arkitktkontor AB

Location: Sweden

Award category: Shopping

Benson Radiology

Architect: Tridente Architects

Location: Austrialia

Award category: New and Old

Al Bahr

Architect: Aedas Ltd

Location: UAE

Award category: Office

Rush University Medical Center New Hospital Tower

Architect: Perkins+Will

Location: USA

Award category: Health

Diamond House

Architect: formwerkz architects

Location: Singapore

Award category: House

Chesapeake Building 12

Architect: Elliott + Associates Architects

Location: USA

Award category: Office