The World Architecture Festival (WAF), the biggest international architecture gathering, has named two Thai architecture projects among its 2017 overall winners.

This year's festival took place in Berlin from Nov 15 to 17. The two Thai buildings recognized are Krahm Restaurant in Chiang Rai by Hypothesis Design Agency for the Highly Commended Future Projects for Leisure Led Development category; and Naiipa Art Complex in Bangkok by Stu/D/O Architects for the Completed Buildings for Mixed Use category.

Inspired by the dense forests surrounding the city of Chiang rai, the design proposal for Krahm sees a restaurant immersed within the greenery of tall trees. When complete (Hypothesis says sometime next year), the restaurant will consist of three different levels: tree trunks, tree canopy, and tree top, offering guests a chance to experience three distinctive ambiances. Most dining areas are outdoors and co-exist with the landscape.

Naiipa Art Complex has created a stir with its bold design for a community mall built around the site's existing trees. It’s the very first project in Thailand with the designers having to work in unison with arborists and tree surgeons to follow the lines of the trees. Head designer Chanasit “Dew” Cholasuek says that, though challenging, the project was hugely rewarding.

For the full lists of the overall winners, visit www.worldarchitecturefestival.com.

Last year, five Thai buildings were nominated for the awards, with one, Baan Huay Sarn Yaw School, being highly commended.