Asia Young Designer Awards – Sri Lanka 2021/2022 winners felicitated

The Asia Young Designer Awards (AYDA) – Sri Lanka 2021/2022 winners were felicitated recently at a colorful ceremony at the Water’s Edge, Battaramulla. AYDA launched in 2008 is aimed at inspiring Architectural and Interior Design students to develop their skills through cross-learning opportunities and networking with key industry players as well as fellow Architectural and Interior Design peers in the region. AYDA is organised by Nippon Paint Lanka in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Institute of Architects (SLIA).

Dihan Dhamika Inshan became the Gold Winner in the Architectural Category with his project titled, ‘Waste Upcycling Park and Wetland Awareness Centre’ while Ms. W.D. Iwanthi Dharmapala won the Silver Award in the Interior Design Category with the project titled, ‘Major Design Project - Timber Craft Center’, the award organisers said ina  media release.

“The awards have grown in terms of reach and stature since they were introduced in 2008 and have now been established as one of Asia’s premier design awards,” said Nemantha Abeysinghe, General Manager, Nippon Paint Lanka. “More than 35,000 entries from over 1,200 tertiary education institutions across 16 different geographical locations in Asia have been received to date. Third- and fourth-year students from the City School of Architecture (CSA), University of Moratuwa (UOM), General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU), and the Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLITT) compete for the awards in the architectural and interior design categories. Gold winners from both categories are eligible to participate in the international competition.” The occasion also saw the launch of the theme for the 2022/2023 AYDA Awards along with the launch of the AYDA website.

Renowned Architect and Planner, Dr. Surath Wickremasinghe was the Chief Guest at the AYDA 2021/2022 Awards Ceremony. Other distinguished guests included Nemantha Abeysinghe, General Manager, Nippon Paint Lanka (Pvt) Ltd, Architect Russell Dandeniya, President SLIA, Architect Rohana Bandara Herath, Senior Vice President SLIA, the Official Jury Panel for AYDA Sri Lanka 2021/2022, and the Heads of participating universities.

Commenting on the awards, SLIA President Architect Russell Dandeniya said, “Young architects are our future. They are the people who are envisioning new ideas, new thoughts, and adding new and innovative design initiatives with technology. AYDA is a wonderful platform and forum for them to showcase their beautiful ideas and innovative thoughts, giving a great pulse and momentum for the future of our architecture. That is why architecture is evolving day by day. Asia represents 52.7% of the world population. We are the most trending part of the world, with great opportunities and tremendous exposure. AYDA is a wonderful opportunity for young architects to collaborate with their peers, particularly in connecting with other architects in the region.”