Young creators were recognized with major and special awards at the recently concluded 2021 Nippon Paint Asia Young Designer Awards (NYPDA) Philippines.
Themed Forward: Amplifying Empathy Through Design, NYPDA was first launched in 2008 as the Philippine edition of the leading and prestigious Asia Young Designer Awards (AYDA) with the common goal to motivate interior design and architecture students to be more innovative, creative, and socially involved in design implementation.
Moira Kayla Ramiro and Nuri Hong, De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) Interior Design Students, clinched the Gold and Silver Awards, respectively.
Dubbed as Marahuyo Design Camp, Ramiro’s winning project proposed a refreshing and enlightening restorative environment that aimed to nurture creativity and inspire, revive and support artistry. The design likewise earned the People’s Choice Award.
This victorious piece was made under the guidance of Benilde Interior Design instructor IDr. Candice Arboleda, who was recognized as Best Mentor.
Hong’s Namnama Community Hub was envisioned as a space to cultivate discovery, learning and community livelihood. For the locals of Baler, it resembled a treasure house that instilled and promoted their arts, culture, history, tradition and resources.
Meanwhile, Mary Margareth Calvo, fellow Benilde Interior Design student, bagged Best Colour Choice, while Krizzie Marie Pacaro from the University of San Carlos took home the Best Green Innovation Award.
Benildeans Joey Mae Perez, Aliya Josianne Raymundo, Angelica Jane Reyes, and Winona Te likewise made it as top contenders for the Interior Design division.
DLS-CSB was hailed as the Best School/University for Interior Design, while University of Santo Tomas was named as the Best Supporting College/University.
For the Architecture Category, Karen Joy Robines from the University of Mindanao secured the Gold Award for her sustainable and reimagined Tagum City Garden.
Her adviser Architect Matias Baring bagged the Best Mentor title.
Bulacan State University’s Darwin Aquino finished with a Silver for his regenerative aquaponic facility conceptualized to support the livelihood of the farming communities.
NYPDA likewise recognized John Gabriel Espiritu, Benilde Architecture student, with the Best Green Innovation Award.
Fitzgerald Eyas of the Ateneo de Davao University and Juan Paulo Aguilar of the Technological Institute of the Philippines won the Best Colour Choice and the People’s Choice, respectively.
University of Mindanao earned the Best College/University Award for Architecture, while Bulacan State University obtained the Best Supporting College/University Award.
The Gold awardees will represent the Philippines in the regional leg of the competition, where they will compete for the prestigious title of Asia Young Designer of the Year with fellow creators from other AYDA countries.