Two young Filipino designers have earned top honors at the AYDA International Awards 2025/2026, underscoring the Philippines’ growing presence in global design and highlighting how cultural heritage is increasingly shaping solutions for sustainable communities.
Ejhey Durias of the University of Mindanao was named Designer of the Year in the Architectural Category for Banuas Lawod, while Patricia Danielle Malijan of De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde received the Nippon Paint Colour Award in the Interior Design Category for KAMPIHAN during the competition’s global finals in Bangkok on June 11 and 12.
Organized by Nippon Paint, the 18th edition of the AYDA International Awards drew more than 9,000 entries from 17 countries and regions under the theme “CONVERGE: Crafting Cultural Legacies.”
The recognition comes as design increasingly intersects with technology, sustainability, and urban development — areas that are becoming more important as countries invest in smarter, more resilient communities.
Filipino creativity transforms heritage into globally recognized designs
University of Mindanao‘s Ejhey Durias was named Designer of the Year (Architectural Category)
Durias’ winning project addresses the environmental decline of aquaculture across Southeast Asia and its impact on coastal communities, particularly the Bajau people whose identity has long been tied to the sea. His proposal envisions a sustainable aquaculture hub that restores both livelihoods and cultural heritage.
“This project began with a simple truth: that for the Bajau people, home was never land,” Durias said. “This honour affirms that design can be both culturally rooted and globally relevant.”
Malijan’s KAMPIHAN, meanwhile, reimagines the traditional neighborhood playground as a shared community space after observing children gathered around mobile devices beside an abandoned play area.
The concept seeks to encourage interaction across generations while preserving Filipino traditions through thoughtful interior design.
De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde’s Patricia Danielle Malijan won the Nippon Paint Colour Award (Interior Design Category)
“I wanted to celebrate the rich heritage that should still shape our communities,” Malijan said. “I hope the project encourages deeper conversations about how design can rescue cultural memory and bring generations back together.”
As Designer of the Year, Durias will receive a fully funded slot in the Design Discovery Program at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design, valued at up to US$10,000. Malijan also received US$1,000 for winning the Nippon Paint Colour Award.
Beyond recognizing creative excellence, the awards reflect a broader shift toward human-centered design as governments and businesses invest in sustainable infrastructure, digital transformation, and smart city initiatives.
As technology reshapes the built environment, designers are increasingly expected to create spaces that balance innovation with culture, community, and environmental resilience.
Since its launch in 2008, the AYDA Awards have received more than 76,000 entries from over 1,600 universities and colleges across 20 countries and regions, making it one of Asia’s largest platforms for emerging architecture and interior design talent.
