Architecture and interior design students Shuvro Kumar Ghosh of Khulna University of Engineering & Technology (KUET) and Rabiul Islam Remon of Rajshahi University of Engineering & Technology (RUET) were recognised at the 18th AYDA International Awards held in Bangkok, Thailand, recently, for their outstanding performance among more than 9,000 entries from 17 countries. Ghosh received an Honorary Mention in Interior Design, while Remon emerged as a Global Finalist in Architecture, with both projects aligned to the theme “CONVERGE: Crafting Cultural Legacies”.
The global competition, initiated by Nippon Paint under its corporate social responsibility programme, challenged emerging designers to integrate cultural heritage with contemporary design solutions. The event brought together participants from across 17 countries and regions to explore innovative approaches to community-focused architecture and interior design, said in a press release.
Ghosh’s project titled “Threads of Hope” addresses artisan displacement in Jamalpur through a decentralised network of courtyard workspaces known as Nokshipolli, constructed using local mud, bamboo and textile waste, enabling women artisans to produce and market traditional Nakshi Kantha directly, restoring economic dignity.
Remon’s project “[HERI]-TRADE” focuses on revitalising “Nagar Kashba”, one of Bangladesh’s oldest cultural sites, by creating a self-sustaining economic hub where cultural goods are traded locally, with revenue directed towards conserving the heritage site through flexible, modular interventions.
The grand finale also named Ejhey Durias of the Philippines and Jackie Jiang Haoran of China as Designers of the Year, awarding them a fully funded USD 10,000 learning opportunity at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design.
Mr Wee Siew Kim, Group CEO of NIPSEA Group and Co-President of Nippon Paint Holdings, praised the participants for drawing on cultural heritage to address modern environmental and social challenges, said in a press, noting the growing relevance of culturally rooted design thinking.
As Nippon Paint marks its 145th anniversary, submissions have now opened for the next edition of the competition under the theme “CONVERGE: Embracing Hyperlocal”.
