There is plenty of sparkle and flair in the urban landscape here, going by the gongs bestowed at a major awards gala last night.

Prizes - judged on criteria such as design, functionality, and community and environmental impact - were conferred on 18 real estate projects that will now go on to compete on the world stage next year.

The hotels, homes, and office and industrial buildings were feted yesterday at the Singapore Property Awards held by the national chapter of Paris-based international real estate federation Fiabci.

Far East Organization was the night's big winner with four prizes.

UOL Group, Qingjian Realty and City Developments Limited (CDL) bagged two medals each.

Far East's 31-storey SBF Centre in Robinson Road was one of two projects singled out by Fiabci-Singapore for "interesting concepts and designs". The other was the mixed-use South Beach project, a tie-up between CDL and a Malaysian developer, which won in the sustainable development field.

Fiabci-Singapore praised its "wave-like canopy, which acts as an environmental filter" and enhances the cooling effect of air currents.

Another sustainable development prize went to Malaysia's S P Setia for the Eco Sanctuary condominium in Bukit Panjang, which boasts "green" features.

Having taken five previous Fiabci prizes in its home country, Malaysia-listed Selangor Dredging snagged its first win on this side of the Causeway with the 41-home Hijauan on Cavanagh near the Istana.

Singapore won four out of the 27 prizes up for grabs - two golds and two silvers - at the Fiabci World Prix d'Excellence Awards 2017 in May.

The country has been punching above its weight for some time, winning about one in five awards in the past two decades, Fiabci-Singapore president Lim Lan Yuan noted.

"We have excelled particularly in the residential categories with very innovative designs and concepts."

The strong showing comes even as developers worldwide give Singapore a run for its money.

Dr Lim said: "In the light of keen competition... it is essential that Singapore's projects achieve a reasonable standard of excellence."

North West District mayor Teo Ho Pin noted at last night's ceremony: "With globalisation and increased cross-border investments, development projects around the world are getting more iconic."

But, he added, the slew of international awards is proof of "the growing international recognition of the creativity, talent and standards of our professionals".