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Nippon Paint, one of the largest paint manufacturers in Sri Lanka held the Nippon Paint Asia Young Designer Awards (AYDA) 2018 (Sri Lankan edition) for the third consecutive year in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Institute of Architects (SLIA). Themed ‘Forward – Challenging Design Boundaries’, this year’s competition sparked a colourful journey of education, training and exposure finally culminating in recognition and opportunity in the global arena for third and fourth year architecture students and second and third year interior design students.
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Nippon Paint Lanka General Manager Nemantha |
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SLIA President Archt. D.H. Wijewardana |
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Aashubodha Gurusinghe from the University of Moratuwa and Zamhathul Zahia Niyas from City School of Architecture |
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Zamhathul Zahia Niyas from City School of Architecture receiving her award from SLIA President Archt. D.H. Wijewardana |
The grand award ceremony of AYDA Sri Lanka was held at Waters Edge recently to recognise the winners in Architecture and Interior design categories. The Gold award winners each received a cash prize of Rs. 100,000 and the chance to undergo further training in Singapore with the entire trip being sponsored by Nippon Paint. Aashubodha Gurusinghe from the University of Moratuwa won the Gold award in the Architecture category while Zamhathul Zahia Niyas from City School of Architecture won the Gold award in the Interior Design category.
Export Development Board Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer Indira Malwatte graced the event as the Chief Guest whilst a number of renowned architects and interior designers took part in the event as well. SLIA President Archt. D.H. Wijewardana and Nippon Paint Lanka GM Nemantha Abeysinghe addressed the gathering.
The final competition of AYDA in Singapore will comprise of a four-day workshop after which the 30 of the Asia’s best young designers will present their creative concepts. The Platinum winner of the final competition will gain access to a three-month long internship at one of the best Architectural/Interior Designing practices of Asia. Nippon Paints will bear the entire cost of the internship.
Furthermore, NIPSEA Group, the parent company of Nippon Paint, established the Gennosuke Obata Fellowship Fund at the Harvard University Graduate School of Design (GSD). The fund provides financial aid to GSD students from Asian countries, helping to attract, enrol and support talented design scholars from the region as they work to become leaders in transforming the social and build environment.
The Harvard GSD initiative brings with it an additional program for the regional winners of AYDA in both the architecture and interior design categories in the shape of a six weeks all-expense paid for The Harvard University Design Discovery program. The selected students will have the privilege to learn, experience and benefit from intensive studio work, lectures, workshops and field trips.
“The first time we held AYDA in Sri Lanka in 2016, it was a resounding success. Since then we’ve been able to develop into a strong platform that empowers young architecture and design students to gain valuable local and international exposure and aim for greater heights. The entire competition reflects Nippon Paint’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of talented designers. The support and guidance we received from SLIA during this process has been invaluable,” commented Nippon Paint Lanka General Manager Nemantha Abeysinghe.
An eminent panel of judges evaluated the work of 24 finalists from each interior who later presented their projects in front of the judges and answered their questions. The five member judging panel included Archt. Veranjan Kurukulasuriya, Archt. Dharshani Gamage, Archt. Janaki Wijesundara, Archt. Hiranthi Welandawa and Archt. Nandaka Jayasinghe.
The two Silver winners S. Ravindran, from the University of Moratuwa in Architecture category and Yathindra Laknath Pallegoda from the City School of Architecture in Interior Designing category each won Rs. 50,000.
The judges selected two other winners to present cash rewards of Rs. 25,000 each in the categories ‘Best Colour Choice’ and ‘Green Innovation’. Chamath Janendra Hewagama from the University of Moratuwa clinched the ‘Best Colour Choice’ award whilst Mohamed Rasheed Rizwi from the City School of Architecture won the ‘Green Innovation’ award.
The two honorary mentions in the architecture category went to two students from the University of Moratuwa, Chamath Janendra Hewagama and W.T.M. Fernando. Osuri Mudara Kumarage from the City School of Architecture and Pasan Mahindapala from the University of Moratuwa were the two honorary mentions in the Interior Design category.
Nippon Paint worth Rs. 50,000 each, were granted to the University of Moratuwa for the Best University under Architecture category and to the City School of Architecture for the Best University under Interior Design category.
“Nippon Paint’s commitment to supporting talented designers is an admirable one. There are plenty of skilled and inventive design students in Sri Lanka and a platform like AYDA is just kind of inspiration and guidance they need to succeed,” commented SLIA President Archt. D.H. Wijewardana.
Nippon Paint, one of the largest paint manufacturers in Sri Lanka, manufactures and markets its products in partnership with the parent Company, NIPSEA Group. The NIPSEA Group is market leader with a strong regional presence that spans across 15 Asian countries. The Group manufactures over 1 billion litres of paints and coats annually – positioning NIPSEA Group as the preferred supplier of coating choice in Asia as well as among the top paint manufacturers in the world. Nippon Paint has been providing a great opportunity for Sri Lankan consumers to experience innovative coating solutions of a global brand with advanced Japanese technology and unparalleled quality. Nippon Paint brands, Nippon Paint and Nippolac are available across the island.
