Bangalore, India – February 20, 2025 – Nippon Paint India celebrated emerging architecture and interior design talent at the India finale of the 2024 AYDA (Asia Young Designer Awards) held at VIT University, Vellore, on February 15, 2025. Students from across India showcased their skills under the theme “CONVERGE” and the sub-theme “GLOCAL DESIGN SOLUTIONS,” which challenged them to address global challenges through design.
Sanya Gupta won Gold in Architecture, and Yuktha K took Gold in Interior Design. Both winners will now represent India at the AYDA International Finale, where they will compete against finalists from 17 other countries for the prestigious Designer of the Year award.
The awards, now in their 16th year, are a platform for nurturing young design talent through mentorship, networking, and skill-building opportunities. This year’s competition emphasized merging personal design interests with solutions to pressing global issues.
“AYDA has become a launchpad for aspiring architects,” said Mahesh Anand, President – Decorative Division, Nippon Paint (India). “This year’s competition was about igniting passion and transforming meaningful causes into extraordinary designs.”
Dr. Sandhya Pentareddy, Executive Director of VIT University, expressed her delight at the collaboration between AYDA and VIT, highlighting the alignment of Nippon Paint’s “Colouring Lives” CSR initiative, nShakthi, with the competition’s focus on impactful design.
Award Winners:
- Architecture Gold: Sanya Gupta (“Winning…encourages me to keep pushing boundaries, blending innovation with sustainability…”)
- Interior Design Gold: Yuktha K (“Receiving this award fuels my passion for creating spaces that are both functional and aesthetically enriching.”)
- Architecture Silver: Vinayak Venugopal
- Interior Design Silver: Shrutee Patil
- Best Educational Institution: RV College of Architecture, Bangalore
- Best Mentors: Mr. Bakul Jani (RV College of Architecture) & Mr. Zakia Fathima (Faculty of Architecture, Dr. MGR Educational & Research Institute)
- Special Mention Mentor: Mr. Mahesh Bangad
- Best Green Innovation: Abhay Rajesh
- Best Color Choice: Saloni Pawar
- Honorary Mention: Dweep Jain
A distinguished panel of architects and interior designers judged the competition. The event was attended by industry leaders, faculty, and students. Nippon Paint India is committed to supporting and developing the next generation of design professionals through the AYDA program.
