SRI LANKA, 22nd July 2024 – The AYDA Awards 2023/2024 international finale, held from July 3-5th at the esteemed ITC Grand Chola in Chennai, served as the pinnacle event uniting National Winners across 17 countries and regions competing for the coveted title of AYDA Designers of the Year.
Nilrandha Fonseka from City School of Architecture in Sri Lanka was recognised as the winner of the Nippon Paint Colour Award in the Architectural Category, and was awarded with a cash prize of USD 1,000. His winning submission not only captivated audiences but also aligned with the 2023/2024’s theme of CONVERGE: Championing Purposeful Designs. Sri Lanka also had a finalist, Ranura Perera from the Interior Design Category, who made it to the top 28 of the prestigious AYDA Awards, beating over 6,000 entries received for this season.
This edition’s theme served as a catalyst for young designers to explore and champion meaningful and sustainable solutions within their local communities and beyond. Furthermore, the 2023/2024 session featured esteemed judges from reputable architectural and interior design firms who shared valuable insight on the designs of AYDA participants.
Among the highlights of the event, Lim Jeng Ying from Malaysia and Alifiah Azzahrah from Indonesia were crowned AYDA Designers of the Year in the Architectural & Interior Design categories respectively for their exceptional submissions that stood out in terms of innovation and design. As a testament to their exceptional achievements, the Designers of the Year winners were granted the prestigious opportunity to participate in the June 2025 cohort of the 3-week Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design’s Design Discovery Program, fully funded up to USD10,000.
Nilrandha mentioned, “I am thrilled to be recognised for my concept “Project Bhumi” that reflects my commitment to create regenerative spaces that harmonise with nature, fostering a deep connection between people and their environment. Being recognised at a global event like AYDA feels like a dream come true.”
“The AYDA Awards emphasises the societal and environmental impacts of design decisions, recognising finalists who demonstrate a deep understanding of current issues and a commitment to improving various societal matters through design and the purposeful use of arts,” said Nemantha Abeysinghe, General Manager of Nippon Paint Lanka. “The AYDA Awards is more than just an award – it is a platform of holistic growth, through our group and personal coaching for our finalists, as well as providing them with networking experiences with participants from other countries and regions, and industry key players. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the winner of Nippon Paint Colour Award in the Architectural Category who have proudly represented Sri Lanka at this event. Their unwavering dedication showcases not only their talent but also their profound passion for design.”
The competition also honoured additional outstanding achievements in both categories as listed below, reflecting the AYDA Awards’ commitment to fostering growth within the design community.
Architectural Category:
- Best Design Impact Awards – Amirmasoud Aghajanizadeh, Iran
- Best Sustainable Design Awards – Danh Minh An, Vietnam
- Nippon Paint Colour Award – Nilrandha Fonseka, Sri Lanka
Interior Design Category:
- Best Design Impact Awards – Jesslyn Tew, Malaysia
- Best Sustainable Design Award – Lim Gia Zhun, Singapore
- Nippon Paint Colour Award – Panisa Wongchaom (Porpla), Thailand
- Judges Choice Award – Truong Thanh Qui, Vietnam
Nina Bailon-Arce, Senior Partner of Arce-Bailon-Arce Architects, one of the AYDA Architectural Design judges, also commented, “Nippon Paint’s commitment to nurturing young designers is commendable, as it not only recognises excellence but also invests in the future of purposeful design. I have been judging AYDA for a few years now and I am so proud to see the quality of entries each year that evolve with the advancements in the industry and technology.”
“We are thrilled to witness the incredible talent and innovation showcased at this edition’s AYDA Awards. The competition stands as a beacon of meaningful innovation and creativity, providing a space for emerging talents to shine and thrive,” said Santi Alaysius, Co-Founder at Domisilium Studio and DMDIO, one of the AYDA Interior Design judges. This edition’s line of judges featured esteemed experts from reputable architectural and interior design firms.
Cultivating Socially Conscious Design Leaders
What sets the AYDA Awards apart is its dedicated focus on nurturing creativity and interpersonal skills through group and one-on-one coaching, guiding finalists every step of the way through the finale. The award is more than just a contest; it’s a cornerstone of Nippon Paint’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative, Colouring Lives, under the Education pillar. Participation is entirely free, ensuring that financial barriers never hinder aspiring designers from realising their full potential and giving back to their communities.
“The AYDA Awards has transformed into a holistic programme for aspiring artists to put their best work forward,” stated Gladys Goh, Senior Vice-President, Strategic Innovation & Marketing at NIPSEA Group. “Nippon Paint not only positions itself as a thought leader in nurturing the next generation of designers but also champions local talents. We are committed to fostering creativity and innovation among the next generation of designers.”
The grand finale event was also graced by distinguished speakers from Nippon Paint as well as industry leaders. Mr Mark Titus, Vice President of Nippon Paint India and Group Marketing Lead at NIPSEA Group spoke about the brand’s 143 year legacy and commitment to the global design community. Mr Kiran Kapadia, Founder Director of Kapadia Associates Design LLP and Mr Lai Siew Hong, Chief Executive Designer at Blu Water Studio and also one of the esteemed AYDA judges provided important takeaways for the audience through their unique perspectives and industry experiences. Each speaker brought a wealth of knowledge and wisdom to the event, making the event a memorable and enriching experience for all attendees.
The AYDA Awards, initiated in 2008 by Nippon Paint, has evolved into one of the architecture and interior design industry’s premier awards, receiving over 59,000 entries from 1,200 tertiary education institutions across 20 countries and regions. The AYDA Awards 2023/2024 received over 6,000 submissions from 17 countries and regions, highlighting the diverse talent and innovation present in today’s design landscape. Concurrently, the event was held alongside Nippon Paint’s Creative Colour Awards 2023/2024, which served to recognise the significance of colours in architecture and interior design. To watch the recently held 2023/2024 awards ceremony and the finalists’ design presentations, tune in to AYDA’s YouTube channel.
The upcoming theme for AYDA Awards 2024/2025 – CONVERGE: Global Design Solutions, calls for innovative designs to address global challenges in social, urban development and environment. All these interconnected themes emphasise the pivotal role of design in shaping a sustainable and resilient future. By integrating social, urban, and environmental considerations, the AYDA Awards aspires to nurture designers who can create spaces that promote community cohesion, societal growth, and environmental harmony.
Seize this opportunity to showcase your ingenuity and passion. Submit your innovative designs and join the AYDA Awards 2024/2025 to be part of the movement that is redefining the future in design. Deadlines may vary by location, which can be found through www.ayda-awards.com.
For more information on how to participate in the AYDA and CCA Awards, visit www.ayda-awards.com & www.creativecolourawards.com or their social pages: AYDA’s Instagram Page , LinkedIn Page, YouTube Page & CCA’s Instagram Page , LinkedIn Page.
