Raquel B. Florendo, PhD, president, Council of Interior Design Educators (CIDE), Arch. Ana Mangalino-Ling, founding partner, JSLA Architects, Arch. Kenneth Uy, vice president, Visionarch, Aldrich Remot, AYDA Awards past National Gold Winner: Architecture Category; junior architectural designer, PDP Architects, Ms. Giselle Campos, sales and marketing manager, Nippon Paint (Coatings) Philippines, Inc., Mr. Lennard Lopez, project sales manager, Nippon Paint (Coatings) Philippines, Inc.
Nippon Paint (Coatings) Philippines, Inc. is excited to unveil the theme for the 2024 AYDA Awards: “Converge: Glocal Design Solutions.” This theme opens the door for Architectural and Interior Design students in the Philippines to showcase their work and potentially represent the country on a global stage. Participants will also benefit from cross-learning opportunities and networking with leading industry professionals and peers from across the region.
Mr. Chen Lee Siong, General Manager of Nippon Paint (Coatings) Philippines, Inc., remarks, “We’re eager to see how these emerging designers will push the boundaries of their craft. Their innovative work has the potential to advance the field and address pressing societal challenges, reflecting a truly transformative approach.”
This year’s theme challenges designers to tackle emerging trends and global issues with both humility and a grounded perspective, while promoting the creation of sustainable and resilient designs across three key segments:
- Social — How can our spaces play a role in bringing people together; for safer and more efficient use of spaces?
- Urban Development — How can our spaces contribute to the holistic growth of society without compromising the well-being of its communities?
- Environment — How can we invite nature into our spaces and have direct or indirect positive impacts on its surroundings?
A local implementing team will soon launch a school caravan to formally invite design schools nationwide and explain the contest mechanics.
The team will also highlight the crucial role of mentors, who will guide students in developing competitive design projects for the awards. Mentors will have the opportunity to participate in a three-week, all-expenses-paid Design Discovery Program at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design in the US, valued at USD 10,000, as part of the prize package for the gold winners. This prestigious program is scheduled for June 2026.
Nurturing the Next Generation of Design Talents
Now in its 16th year, the AYDA Awards reflect Nippon Paint’s dedication to fostering emerging design talents. Over the years, AYDA has established itself as one of Asia’s leading design awards, receiving over 50,000 entries from more than 1,300 tertiary education institutions across 19 regions worldwide.
The award’s broad reach has significantly influenced the careers of many young designers, offering valuable industry insights, personalized coaching, and mentorship through workshops led by seasoned professionals.
Spotlight on Recent Winners
The impact of the awards is exemplified by national winners Bnn Anjelo Tadeja and Maureen Abegail Mendoza, who recently showcased their exceptional talents in a face-to-face competition in Chennai, India. They competed against top national winners from around the globe.
Tadeja, an architecture student from the University of Northern Philippines in Vigan City, and Mendoza, an interior design student from the University of San Carlos in Cebu City, were recognized at the AYDA Awards 2023/2024 for their innovative solutions to real-world challenges.
Their standout projects, “BILAG: From Scattered to Gathered Space for Sunbathed Grains” and “KITA-KITA: A Resilient Community Center,” demonstrated exceptional creativity. “BILAG” redefines agricultural spaces through advanced technological solutions, while “KITA-KITA” proposes smart infrastructure to create resilient community centers.
Awards and Prizes
The AYDA Awards offer a range of prestigious accolades:
1) AYDA Designer of the Year: One winner per category (Architectural & Interior Design)
2) National Awards: Prize values determined by national teams
3) Immersive Learning Experience: A three-week, all-expenses-paid Design Discovery Program at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design, worth up to USD 10,000 (June 2026 cohort)
4) Silver Award: Cash prize + Internship opportunities
5) Gold Award: Cash prize + Internship opportunities
6) Honorary Mention (x2): Cash prize
7) Nippon Paint Colour Award: Cash prize of USD 1,000
8) Best Sustainable Design: Cash prize of USD 1,000
9) Best Design Impact: Cash prize of USD 1,000
National Gold Winners will have the honor of representing their countries at the AYDA International Awards, taking place in June or July next year.
The AYDA Awards has evolved beyond a mere competition to become a comprehensive growth accelerator for emerging designers, providing a platform for collaboration and talent development.
“We are deeply grateful to our mentors, lecturers, and judges, whose dedication is shaping a generation of socially responsible and conscious designers. AYDA is not just for students but also for active change-makers in spatial design,” said Wee Siew Kim, Group Chief Executive Officer of NIPSEA Group.
For the latest information and updates on the awards, follow the Nippon Paint AYDA PH Facebook page.
Join the AYDA Community
Nippon Paint invites all eligible Architectural and Interior Design students to participate in this year’s AYDA Awards and become part of a dynamic community of professional architects, interior designers, industry associations, partners, design schools, alumni, and students.
Past sessions of the AYDA Awards can be viewed on AYDA’s YouTube channel. For more details and to submit your entries, visit www.ayda-awards.com and www.creativecolourawards.com, or check out their social media pages.
