Saint-Gobain, a global leader in sustainable construction, has successfully wrapped up the 19th edition of Transparence, India’s most prestigious architectural and interior design competition, in collaboration with Ethos Empowers. The competition garnered over 1,200 registrations and 450 submissions from more than 100 colleges across India, reinforcing its status as the top platform for student design talent in the country. Many institutions have also included Transparence as part of their studio curriculum.
This year’s theme, ‘Reimagining the Central Business Districts,’ challenged participants to create innovative designs for commercial hubs, emphasizing sustainability, accessibility, and community involvement.
Unnikrishnan AR, Managing Director of Saint-Gobain’s Glass, Glass Solutions, and Homes & Hospitality Businesses, commented, “For nearly two decades, Transparence has showcased some of the brightest future architects and designers in India. The competition continues to inspire by collaborating with leading colleges and respected architects. It’s inspiring to see students reimagine urban spaces with a focus on technology and sustainability. Transparence is our way of empowering the next generation of design talent.”
Anand Santhanam, Executive Director of Sales and Marketing at Saint-Gobain India Pvt. Ltd. – Glass Business, added, “We are thrilled with the innovative ideas and high quality of submissions in Transparence 19.0. This year’s theme provided students with a unique opportunity to reimagine urban spaces. The designs we received demonstrate the next generation of architects who are not just thinking about buildings but also about the role of green architecture in shaping communities. Congratulations to all the winners.”
The final round was judged by a distinguished panel of architects and interior designers, including Ar Gayathri Shetty, Ar Debashish Guha, Ar Tanuja Kanvinde, Ar. Ranjith C, Ar Arunkumar Deivanayagam, and Ar. Sunayana Subbiah. The winners received cash prizes of INR 300,000/-.
Alongside the competition, four students were selected for the Saint-Gobain Grants Program, recognizing socially responsible design ideas with awards of INR 100,000/- each. The winners were Kapil Mahadil, Rosie Paul, Vishmitha Maben, and Joy Mondal.
Transparence 19.0 also featured intense competition for spots in the Saint-Gobain International Brief for the Architecture Student Contest (ASC) 2025 in Paris. After a rigorous evaluation by the national jury, the team of Smriti Sharma and HarshaVerma from SPA Bhopal won the coveted spot to represent India internationally.
As Transparence 19.0 concluded, Saint-Gobain India’s Glass Business unveiled the 20th edition of the competition, set to align with the company’s 25th anniversary in India. The theme for Transparence 20.0 will be “India Towards 2047: Crafting a New Design Vocabulary.” The next edition challenges students to design a modern national icon that embodies India’s cultural identity, inspires future generations, and transforms its environment with light and sustainable design.
