Nippon Paint (Coatings) Philippines, Inc. has officially launched the 2024 AYDA Awards under the theme “Converge: Glocal Design Solutions.”
This prestigious competition is now open for entries from Architectural and Interior Design students across the Philippines, offering them a chance to showcase their talents on a global stage. Participants will have the opportunity to engage in cross-learning and network with leading industry figures and peers from the region.
Mr. Chen Lee Siong, general manager of Nippon Paint (Coatings) Philippines, Inc., while delivering his speech during the theme launch of the 2024 AYDA Awards.
“It’s thrilling to see how these young designers will once again try to push the envelope in their designs. Their work will not only advance the field but also help address pressing societal needs, reflecting a truly transformative approach,” shared Mr. Chen Lee Siong, general manager of Nippon Paint (Coatings) Philippines, Inc., in a speech delivered during the event.
The 2024 theme challenges designers to address emerging trends and global issues with humility and groundedness. It encourages 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 community well-being?
- 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 embark on a school caravan to invite design schools nationwide and explain the contest mechanics.
The team will also emphasize the important role of the mentors, who will not only guide the students in creating competitive design projects for the awards program — they also get a chance to attend a three-week, all-expenses-paid Design Discovery Program at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design in the US worth at least USD 10,000 in the program’s June 2026 cohort. This forms part of the package for The Harvard Design Discovery Program to be given to the gold winner/s.
Nippon Paint: Nurturing the Next Generation of Design Talents
Now in its 16th year, the AYDA Awards exemplify Nippon Paint’s commitment to nurturing future design talents. Over the years, the event has become one of Asia’s premier design awards, attracting over 50,000 entries from more than 1,300 educational institutions in 19 global locations.
The awards have significantly impacted the careers of many young designers, offering them industry knowledge, personalized coaching, and mentorship through workshops led by experienced professionals.
Photo shows Mr. Chen Lee Siong (left), general manager, Nippon Paint (Coatings) Philippines, Inc., while leading the ceremonial toast. Joining him were Ms. Desirie Benito, incoming national president, United Architects of the Philippines Student Auxiliary (UAPSA); Arch. Donato Magcale, national president, United Architects of the Philippines (UAP); IDr. Wilmer Lopez, interior design director, WLopez Designs/Space Encounters and AYDA Awards head judge (Interior Design Category); 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, past AYDA Awards National Gold Winner for Architecture Category; Ms. Giselle Campos, sales & marketing manager, Nippon Paint (Coatings) Philippines, Inc.; and Mr. Lennard Lopez, project sales manager, Nippon Paint (Coatings) Philippines, Inc.
Leading the esteemed panel of judges for this year’s AYDA Awards is IDr. Wilmer Lopez, Interior Design Director at WLopez Designs/Space Encounters, who will also serve as the head judge for the Interior Design Category. Joining him are IDr. Sharon Bering, Principal Interior Designer at Feliziana Vonn Interiors, and IDr. Mikee Yusay, Founder and Owner of Michaelle Jodie Interior Design.
The panel of judges for the Architecture Category, meanwhile, is led by Arch. Richard Garcia, past national president of the United Architects of the Philippines (UAP).
Joining him on the panel is Arch. Kenneth Uy, vice president of Visionarch, together with Arch. Donato Magcale, national president of the United Architects of the Philippines (UAP); Arch. Eduardo Casares, principal architect of E.S.C. Architects & Associates; Arch. Jason Ang, past national executive vice president of the United Architects of the Philippines (UAP); and Arch. Nina Bailon Arce, senior partner at Arce-Bailon-Arce Architects.
Together, these renowned industry experts bring a wealth of experience and insight, ensuring that this year’s competition will be judged with the highest standards of creativity and innovation in both interior design and architecture.
Putting the Spotlight on Recent Winners
Highlighting the award’s influence, national winners Bnn Anjelo Tadeja and Maureen Abegail Mendoza recently showcased their talents in a face-to-face competition in Chennai, India, competing against top national winners from around the world.
Photo shows Bnn Anjelo Tadeja (left), National Gold Winner (Architecture Category) at the AYDA Awards 2023/2024, together with IDr. Sharon Bering (center), principal interior designer at Feliziana Vonn Interiors and 2024 AYDA Awards judge (Interior Design Category). Joining them in the photo is Arch. Richard Garcia, past national president of United Architects of the Philippines (UAP), concurrent vice president of VISIONARCH, and one of the judges (Architecture Category) in the 2024 AYDA Awards.
Tadeja, an architecture student from the University of Northern Philippines, and Mendoza, an interior design student from the University of San Carlos, gained recognition for their innovative solutions to real-world challenges. Tadeja’s project, “BILAG: From Scattered to Gathered Space for Sunbathed Grains,” and Mendoza’s “KITA-KITA: A Resilient Community Center,” stood out for their creative approaches to enhancing agricultural environments and building resilient community spaces, respectively.
AYDA Awards and Prizes
The AYDA Awards offer a range of prestigious accolades:
- AYDA Designer of the Year: One winner per category (Architectural & Interior Design)
- National Awards: Prize values determined by national teams
- Immersive Learning Experience: A three-week, all-expenses-paid Design Discovery Program at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design (June 2026 cohort)
- Silver Award: Cash prize + Internship opportunities
- Gold Award: Cash prize + Internship opportunities
- Honorary Mention (x2): Cash prize
- Nippon Paint Colour Award: Cash prize of USD 1,000
- Best Sustainable Design: Cash prize of USD 1,000
- Best Design Impact: Cash prize of USD 1,000
National Gold Winners will represent their countries at the AYDA International Awards next year.
The AYDA Awards are more than a competition; they are a holistic growth accelerator for budding designers, providing a platform for great minds to collaborate and nurture talents.
Three of the judges for the 2024 AYDA Awards (from left:) Arch. Richard Garcia, past national president of the United Architects of the Philippines (UAP); Arch. Donato Magcale, national president of the United Architects of the Philippines (UAP); and Arch. Jason Ang, past national executive vice president of the United Architects of the Philippines (UAP).
“In the most poignant manner, AYDA is not just for students but also active change makers who are practising 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.
For more information and updates, please follow the Facebook Page of Nippon Paint AYDA PH.
Join the AYDA Community
Nippon Paint invites all eligible Architectural and Interior Design students to participate in this year’s AYDA Awards and join a vibrant community of professional architects, interior designers, industry associations, partners, design schools, alumni, and students. Past sessions of the AYDA Awards are available on AYDA’s YouTube channel.
For more information and to submit your entries, visit www.ayda-awards.com and www.creativecolourawards.com or check their social media pages.