Chennai: Nippon Paint (India) Private Limited Decorative Division), Asia Pacific’s leading paint manufacturer announced the India finale of AYDA 2023-2024 to esteem young minds of the design and architecture world. This edition of AYDA was conducted for the theme “CONVERGE: Championing purposeful designs – Building Impact in Design Through Purposeful Intervention.”
The India finale of AYDA took place on 6th Feb ’24 at Hotel Feathers, where finalists from colleges Pan-India were present. With over 2000 applicants, the judges narrowed them down to 24 finalists. The eminent jury panel included:
- Ar Charanya Premkumar – Associate Principal & Director, Vernekar Associates
- Ar Mahesh Radhakrishnan – Founding Partner, MOAD
- Ar Kapil Chitale – Partner, Chitale & Son
- Ar Brijesh Shaijal – Director/Principal Architect, DAC
- Ar Ekta Ahuja – Founder, Tejomaya Architects and Interior Designers
- Ar Kavita Sastry – Principal Architect, KS Designs
This year’s theme encouraged young designers to explore possibilities of combining their personal design interests with causes worth fighting for. To build beacons of hope for communities in need while promoting the development of humanity.
AYDA Awards was first launched in 2008 as part of Nippon Paint’s vision to nurture the next generation of design talents. The award serves as a platform to inspire Architectural and Interior Design students to develop their skills through cross-learning opportunities and networking with key industry players and fellow Architectural and Interior Design peers in the region. Since then, AYDA has grown in reach and stature.
Over the years, AYDA has impacted thousands of young and talented student designers, presenting them with various opportunities to engage with renowned speakers and key figures in the design industry. In addition, the platform has enabled the participants to gain first-hand industry knowledge, personalized coaching, mentoring, and skills-building through various workshops by experienced lecturers and industry professionals.
The winners were awarded by a reputed panel of Architects and Interior designers along with Mr. Mahesh Anand, President – Decorative Division, Nippon Paint (India). Mr. Mahesh Anand, President – Decorative Division, Nippon Paint (India) shared his enthusiasm saying, “It gives us immense pride to be able to nurture young dreams through AYDA. It has become a stepping-stone towards success for several young aspiring architects. This year, it wasn’t just about showcasing design. The message thrumming through the air was: ignite your passion, find a cause close to your heart, and weave them together into something extraordinary.
Eromitha Ramesh – R V College of Architecture, Bengaluru clinched the Gold award in the Architecture category, while Shreyansh Italia – Kamla Raheja Vidyanidhi Institute for Architecture and Environmental Studies, Mumbai secured the Silver Award. In the Interior Design category, Suraj Ighe
- Academy of Architecture, Mumbai bagged the Gold Award, and Akruti Shah – R V college of Architecture, Bengaluru received the Silver Award.
Eromitha Ramesh, the winner shared her enthusiasm saying, “AYDA is a wonderful platform. There was immense learning, and I cherished the experience at the finale in Chennai. We thank Nippon Paint India for the same. Looking forward to attending the International finale!”
Suraj Ighe also shared his excitement saying,” I am highly thankful for the wonderful platform given to me by Nippon Paint India. I truly cherished this experience. Thanking my college and mentor in this moment.”
