Nippon Paint Invites Entries from Architecture and Interior Design Students
The 2024 AYDA Awards, with the theme “Converge: Glocal Design Solutions,” are proudly announced by Nippon Paint (Coatings) Philippines, Inc. This prestigious competition is now officially open for entries from Philippine students studying architecture and interior design who may go on to represent their nation internationally. Through networking with peers from throughout the region and cross-learning opportunities, their talents could be further refined.
This year’s theme is to encourage the development of resilient and sustainable designs in three important areas while pushing modern designers to confront global concerns and new trends with humility and “groundedness”
1. Social — How can our spaces play a role in bringing people together; for safer and more efficient use of spaces?
2. Urban Development — How can our spaces contribute to the holistic growth of society without compromising the well-being of its communities?
3. 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 lead a school caravan that will officially invite and explain the contest’s rules to design schools across the country.
The team will also highlight the crucial role that mentors play. In addition to helping the students create winning design projects for the awards program, mentors will give the June 2026 cohort of the program the opportunity to attend a three-week, fully funded Design Discovery Program at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design in the US, valued at least $10,000 USD. This is a component of the package that the gold winner(s) of the Harvard Design Discovery Program will receive.
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 represent their countries at the AYDA International Awards in June or July next year.
The AYDA Awards has elevated itself to becoming more than just a competition but a holistic growth accelerator for budding designers, an avenue for great minds to collide and to nurture talents.
“In the most poignant manner, AYDA is not just for students but also active change makers who are practicing spatial design. Our deepest gratitude to our mentors, lecturers, and judges who are willingly dedicating their efforts to raising a generation of socially responsible and conscious designers,” said Wee Siew Kim, Group Chief Executive Officer, NIPSEA Group.
