Nippon Paint India hosted the India finale of the 2024 AYDA Awards at VIT University in Vellore on February 15, 2025. The event highlighted emerging talent in architecture and interior design, with finalists from across India showcasing their creative work.
Since its inception in 2008, the AYDA Awards have aimed to support and mentor young architectural and interior design students. The platform provides opportunities for networking, mentorship, and exposure to industry professionals, encouraging participants to refine their skills and push creative boundaries. This year’s theme, “CONVERGE” with a sub-theme of “GLOCAL DESIGN SOLUTIONS,” challenged students to merge their design concepts with solutions that address global challenges.
The winners were selected by a panel of renowned architects and interior designers. Mahesh Anand, President of Nippon Paint’s Decorative Division, remarked, “This year’s AYDA was more than just a design competition; it ignited passion and emphasized meaningful causes, helping young designers transform their ideas into impactful work.”
Dr Sandhya Pentareddy, Executive Director of VIT University, praised the event’s collaboration between Nippon Paint and VIT University, highlighting the shared vision of innovation and sustainability. She congratulated the finalists, noting how the theme “Colouring Lives” aligned with Nippon Paint’s CSR initiative, nShakthi.
The AYDA Gold Award winners shared their excitement and inspiration upon receiving this prestigious recognition. Sanya Gupta, the Gold Winner in the Architecture category, expressed her gratitude, stating, “Winning the AYDA Gold Award is a humbling experience. This recognition fuels my commitment to blending innovation with sustainability and creating spaces that positively impact communities.” Meanwhile, Yuktha K, the Gold Winner for Interior Design, described the achievement as a dream come true, adding, “This achievement inspires me to keep exploring ways to design functional and beautiful spaces that transform lives.”
The awards were judged by a distinguished jury panel comprising some of the most renowned names in architecture and interior design. Among them were Ar Rudraksh Charan (42mm Architecture), Ar. Anup Naik (Urban Frame Pvt Ltd), Ar Pavitra Sriprakash (Shilpa Architects), Ar Vami Koticha (Sameep Padora & Associates), and Ar Ekta Agarwal (FOAID Designs). Other esteemed panelists included Ar Piyush Mehra (P S DESIGN), Ar Raghavendra Hegde (Urban Frame Pvt Ltd), Ar Sathya Prakash Varanashi (Sathya Consultants), and Ar Pradeep Varma (Varsha & Pradeep Architects), all of whom brought their expertise and experience to the evaluation process.
Several institutions and individuals were recognized for their outstanding contributions to the fields of architecture and design. RV College of Architecture, Bangalore, was honored as the Best Educational Institution, while Bakul Jani (RV College of Architecture) and Zakia Fathima (Dr. MGR Educational & Research Institute, Chennai) were awarded Best Mentor. A Special Mention was given to Mr. Mahesh Bangad, highlighting his noteworthy contributions. Additionally, Abhay Rajesh won the Best Green Innovation award, and Saloni Pawar received recognition for Best Color Choice.
In addition to the Gold Winners, other talented participants were acknowledged for their excellence. Dweep Jain received an Honorary Mention, while Vinayak Venugopal (Architecture) and Shrutee Patil (Interior Design) were awarded Silver. These winners exemplify the remarkable talent emerging in the industry and reinforce AYDA’s mission to nurture the next generation of architects and designers.
The gold winners will now represent India in the international AYDA finale, competing for the prestigious Designer of the Year award against finalists from 17 other countries. Launched by Nippon Paint in 2008, the AYDA Awards provide young architects and interior designers with mentorship, cross-learning opportunities, and connections to industry leaders. With a presence in 16 countries, the AYDA Awards have become a global platform to empower future design talents.
With over 143 years of expertise, Nippon Paint is a leader in high-performance coatings. The company is committed to sustainability, producing eco-friendly, ultra-low VOC paints that offer superior protection while minimizing environmental impact.
