Young designers challenged to meet ‘special needs’

GOH, WITH 2014 NPYDA winners Jason Labacanacruz (Architecture) and Kristine Caballes (Interior Design)

The Nippon Paint Young Designer Award (NPYDA) 2015 is challenging Architecture and Interior Design students to create spaces for all kinds of people, particularly the elderly, the young and those with special needs.

The competition is divided into two categories: Architecture and Interior Design.

With the theme “Design with Heart for a Sustainable Future: With People in Mind,” NPYDA wants to inspire young designers to apply creativity and innovation using Nippon Paint products.

Designs should integrate convenience, practicality and purpose into living, working and leisure spaces.

They will be judged based on green and sustainable design concept, color concept, design innovation and design concept statement.

Gold awardees will each receive P50,000 in cash and a six-month internship at LorCalma & Partners (Interior Design) and Casas Architects (Architecture).

They will also go on an all-expense-paid trip to Bangkok, Thailand, to attend an exclusive workshop for all winners of NPYDA 2015 from 12 Asian countries. The workshop will feature internationally renowned experts in Interior Design and Architecture.

The workshop will feature internationally renowned experts in Interior Design and Architecture.

Silver award winners will each receive P30,000 in cash and a plaque.

Eight finalists will each receive P10,000. A cash prize of P5,000 each will be given to the winners of Best Color Choice and Best Green Innovation awards.

The annual competition is open to all Architecture and Interior Design students, who are at least in third year college. Each participant will be given a fixed-size area to work on.

Gladys Goh, group general manager of Nippon Paint Malaysia Group, said NPYDA was a vehicle for students from Asian countries to showcase their design skills and knowledge.

She also stressed that NPYDA sought design ideas “that are green and sustainable to ensure that we continue to protect our living environment for future generations.”

Aside from the Philippines, the competition is also being conducted in Malaysia, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, Bangladesh, Thailand, Pakistan, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Vietnam and China.

Goh said: “This (NPYDA) is a platform where young interior designers and architects are challenged to break through the limits and confines of conservative thinking and deliver ideas and environments that everyone can enjoy, cherish and thrive in.”

Architect and interior designer James Jao, president of the Philippine Institute of Interior Designers, advised aspiring designers to close their eyes because “that’s when best ideas come in,” as he noted that students tended to forget the emotion and human experience in designing.

Those interested to participate in NPYDA should submit their entries before Sept. 30. Log on to www.youngdesigneraward.ph for more information.