Chennai: Nippon Paint (India) Private Limited (Decorative Division), Asia Pacific’s leading paint manufacturer today announced the winners of AYDA (Asia Young Designer Award) 2020, India Edition, in a virtual conference. S Mahesh Anand, President – Decorative Paint, Nippon Paint (India) along with renowned architects Ar. Chitra Vishwanath, Ar. Sanjay Prakash, Ar. Bijoy Ramachandran, Ar. Swanzal Kak Kapoor, Shabnam Gupta, Ar. Nisha Mathew Ghosh, and Ar. Sonal Sanchetijudged the shortlisted finalists, and awarded the title winners.
The 5th edition saw the participation of more than 2000 architecture, interior design students and young professionals across India. Out of the 22 shortlisted candidates, 4 students emerged winners. One winner from each category (Architecture and Interior Design) were awarded the gold and silver award and cash prizes of Rs. 50,000 and Rs. 25,000 respectively. The Gold winners will now represent India at the grand finale of Nippon Paint’s Asia Young Designer Awards 2020, which will be conducted in June 2021. They will compete with finalists from 15 other Asian Countries.
- AYDA is conducted across 16countries
- The Gold Winners from AYDA India Edition will win a cash prize, internship opportunities and will go on to compete at AYDA Asia Edition being held in June/July 2021
- In 2019, Tanay Bothara of Pune became the first Indian student to win AYDA in 12 years since its inception
Tasha Singh of Pearl Academy, Delhi won the Gold Award in the Interior Design category for the design concept titled ‘Garima Sthal – A labour recreation centre’ which explores design as a means to foster dignity and to create self-worth. While Neha Harish from RV College of Architecture, Bengaluru won the Gold Award in the Architecture category for her concept titled ‘Requiem for tolerance’, that explores the architectural implications of forced migrations which lead to marginalisation and loss of identity among ethnic minorities. Both received a cash prize of Rs. 50,000 and an entry ticket to the grand finale of Asia Young Designer Awards 2020 (Asia edition), June 2021.
All the respective AYDA 2020GOLD WINNERS from 16 Asian countries will compete for the coveted Asia Young Designer of the Year Award2020, (Asia edition) and win a chance to attend a 6-week Harvard Design Discovery Summer Programme at Harvard University – the U.S.A, worth USD 10,000.
Talking about the event, S Mahesh Anand, President – Decorative Paint, Nippon Paint (India) commented, “The past editions of AYDA has seen phenomenal success for Indian finalists, including a win at the 2018 global finale for the first time. We are absolutely delighted to announce the winners of the 5th edition of AYDA 2020 (India edition). We are very hopeful that the participants’ winning design concepts will benefit local societies and communities at large. This year’s theme Human-Centered design holds great architectural relevance during times as challenging as the ongoing pandemic. Incorporating design thinking while also considering a human-centred perspective when solving problems is a challenge in today’s globalised society. We are very optimistic that our efforts through AYDA will continue to inspire talented students of architecture and interior design, encouraging them to act as a catalyst and transform the future of our built environments.”
Following the launch, a panel discussion on the theme “How design competitions act as a bridge between academics and real-time practise” was held which saw the participation of leading architects like Dr P.SatheeshKumar – Dean of SAID, Chennai, Prof. Mahesh Bangad – BNCA Pune, Ar.V.Balasubramanian Principal Kalasingalingam School of Architecture, Krishnankoil, Ar. Kavitha Fatarpekar, Associate professor -Pearl Academy School of Design, Delhi.
Ar. Gita Balakrishnan, Founder & Curator of Ethos & ACEDGE said “It is always refreshing to be a part of AYDA, to see the hope and the passion that these young minds bring with them. The nurturing on this amazing platform will result in this vibrant community of achievers and participants growing into responsible young professionals working to make that difference!”
