Chennai, Feb 26: Nippon Paint India, part of the NIPSEA Group – Asia Pacific’s No.1 paint and coatings manufacturer, announced winners of the AYDA Awards 2025–26 at the National Finale recently held in Chennai. AYDA is an international design competition instituted by Nippon Paint to nurture the next generation of architects and interior designers. Launched in 2008, AYDA has grown into a vibrant design community that fosters mentorship, cross-learning, and global exposure, all offered free of cost to participants.
The National Gold Award in Architecture was won by Ms. Sivani Dirisala from Wadiyar Centre for Architecture, Mysuru, while the National Silver Award in Architecture was awarded to Ms. Keerat Kaur Gill from the School of Environment & Architecture, Mumbai.
In the Interior Design category, the National Gold Award was won by Mr. Jeeshnu K. from Chennai Academy of Architecture and Design, Chennai, and the National Silver Award was awarded to Ms. Meeshva Patel from the School of Planning & Architecture, Bhopal.
Commenting on the occasion, Mr. Mark Titus, President-Decorative Coatings Business, Nippon Paint India said, “AYDA has evolved as India’s most respected design and architecture competitions for college students, bringing together emerging talent from across the country. The platform has consistently demonstrated how young designers can engage deeply with context, culture, and community. At Nippon Paint India, we are committed to nurturing responsible design thinking and enabling students to connect with mentors and peers at both National and International levels.”
This year’s theme, “Converge: Crafting Cultural Legacies,” challenged participants to address social, urban, and environmental issues rooted in local contexts, drawing inspiration from indigenous craft traditions and materials. The theme encouraged culturally grounded solutions that balanced innovation with heritage.
Following a rigorous multi-stage evaluation process, 24 shortlists – comprising 12 students each from Architecture and Interior Design were shortlisted from over 670 submissions received nationwide. The shortlisted candidates presented their concepts live before an eminent National jury panel in spatial design, representing diverse regions. All shortlisted candidates and invited guests were fully sponsored to attend the finale.
The two National Gold winners (one each from Architecture and Interior Design) received a cash prize of INR 50,000 each, while the two National Silver winners received INR 25,000 each.
Additional Recognitions:
- Honorary Mentions:
Mr. Sharvin Jangle, School of Environment & Architecture, Mumbai (Architecture); and
Mr. Devam Ghatak, Rachana Sansad Academy of Architecture, Mumbai (Interior Design)
- Special Category Awards:
Best Green Innovation – Aaryan Buddhadev, Institute of Design, Planning and Technology (SCET), Surat
Best Color Choice – Vidhi Gangani, Anant National University, Ahmedabad.
- Best Educational Institution: Rachana Sansad’s Academy of Architecture, Mumbai
- Best Supporting Institution: Saveetha College of Architecture and Design, Chennai
- Best Mentors:
Ms. Kavita Pradhan – Anant National University, Ahmedabad; and
Ms. Mridula Pillai – L.S. Raheja School of Architecture, Mumbai
Awardees in these categories received prizes ranging from INR 5,000 to INR 10,000. All other shortlisted candidates were presented with appreciation certificates in recognition of their contribution.
The National Gold winners will now advance to represent India at the AYDA 2025-26 International Finale at Bangkok, Thailand in June, with again a fully sponsored opportunity to present and compete alongside winners from other participating countries. At the global stage, two participants will be named Designers of the Year in Architecture and Interior Design respectively. These global winners will receive an all-expenses-paid, three-week Design Discovery programme at the Graduate School of Design, Harvard University, USA, valued at USD 10,000. Additionally, three sub-awards worth USD 1,000 each will be presented at the International level.
The National Finale brought together over 200 attendees, including students, faculty members from leading architecture and interior design institutions, six jury members representing various regions of India, academic leaders, industry professionals, advisors, alumni, knowledge partner Ethos Empowers team, and Nippon Paint Senior management representatives. The event featured an inaugural, keynote, guest felicitations, project presentations, jury interactions and an awards ceremony that celebrated design excellence and institutional support. The event was thoughtfully designed with sustainability incorporated — from plantable ID cards that leave behind greenery instead of waste, lanyards made of cloth, to fabric backdrops, props and banners that that move away from disposable materials and towards more recyclable alternatives. Small steps, consciously taken, to create a celebration that’s kinder to the planet.
Anchored under Nippon Paint’s CSR framework within its education pillar, AYDA has expanded across multiple countries and established itself as one of Asia’s largest student design awards and creative community. In India, it continues to engage with top design colleges nationwide, providing structured mentorship, industry exposure, and a global stage for emerging talent. It also aligns with 5 of UNSDG’s initiatives.