The urban development plan for Waterfort Plaza in Punda has been nominated for the World Architecture Festival (WAF) 2026, in the category Future Projects: Masterplanning. The masterplan was developed in collaboration between Studio Akkerhuis and lyongo architecture and forms the foundation for the development of Waterfort Plaza.
This international recognition highlights the ambition to create a future-oriented plan that celebrates the cultural heritage of Willemstad while creating new opportunities for the city. Developing within a UNESCO World Heritage city it offers the opportunity to build on the city’s rich history by adding meaningful new chapters. Through heritage we reveal the layers, stories and identity of a place, creating a strong foundation for its future.
Adding a new layer to the city
As a local firm, we believe that the future of the island should be shaped from an understanding of its history, culture and people. For us, architecture is not only about creating buildings, but about creating places that strengthen everyday life and bring people together. Designing within a UNESCO World Heritage City starts with understanding the layers, stories and identity of a place while allowing the city to continue evolving. UNESCO’s principles and the Island Development Plan (EOP) encourage contemporary architecture that contributes a new layer to the city while reinforcing its unique identity.
From an urban design perspective, Waterfort Plaza focuses on restoring connections and returning a historic area to the city. The masterplan reconnects the Waterfort area with Punda through new public spaces, pedestrian routes and welcoming places for people to meet. Historic elements, including the fort area and cultural landmarks such are carefully preserved and integrated into a vibrant urban environment where heritage and contemporary city life come together. The design responds to the character of Punda through careful attention to scale, colors, materials and the relationship between buildings and public space. Looking ahead, the development incorporates climate-conscious solutions, including green roofs and façades, while ensuring that buildings are perfectly suited to local conditions. Waterfort Plaza strengthens the relationship between history, people and the future, adding a meaningful new layer to Punda while giving an important part of Willemstad back to the city. First impressions of the master plan are shared below. Via the WAF nomination, you can also see scale model images and other interesting images.
Designing with community
A key part of the Waterfort Plaza vision is the understanding that cities are shaped by both architecture and the people who experience it. Dialogue with the community plays a central role throughout the design process, alongside a deep appreciation of what Punda means to residents, visitors and entrepreneurs.
Input was also gathered from the community for the master plan. Together with our client APC, various multiple stakeholder sessions, workshops, and meetings have been conducted with diverse parties to gather input for the development and listen to the challenges identified by experts. Through research, heritage analysis and engagement with the surrounding community, the design team aims to create a place that reflects both the history of Willemstad and the aspirations of its future. Waterfort Plaza represents an opportunity to reconnect people with a significant part of Punda while creating an inspiring new destination for the city.
About the WAF
According to WAF, the number of submissions this year was exceptionally high and the overall quality stronger than ever. Reaching the shortlist therefore represents an important international recognition for a vision that originated in Curaçao.
The nomination is particularly significant because Waterfort Plaza is located within the UNESCO World Heritage area of Willemstad. Together with all stakeholders, Studio Akkerhuis and lyongo architecture look forward to exploring meaningful ways to involve the people of Curaçao throughout the project’s evolution. The Future Projects: Masterplanning category recognizes projects with a long-term vision that combine architectural excellence with social, economic and environmental value. The shortlisted projects will be presented live to an international jury of 164 architects, designers, journalists and experts from 37 countries during the World Architecture Festival in November at Fort Lauderdale in Florida, USA.
Next up
A masterplan is an urban development framework that defines where buildings can be placed on a site, and determines their possible scale, height, and relationship to the surrounding environment. It illustrates the opportunities and spatial potential of an area. The design and appearance of the buildings will be further developed in the sketch design. The coming months we will continue to work on the design for the new Waterfort Plaza, together with Studio Akkerhuis.
The design team will continue developing Waterfort Plaza with community engagement as an essential part of the process. Together with all stakeholders, Studio Akkerhuis and lyongo architecture look forward to exploring meaningful ways to involve the people of Curaçao throughout the project’s evolution. Waterfort Plaza brings together history, everyday life and future development to create a place that belongs to the city and its people.
