What if the next big idea in architecture doesn’t come from a gleaming skyscraper in New York or a futuristic smart city in Europe—but from a barangay road, a bamboo structure, or a centuries-old Filipino building tradition?
That is essentially the challenge being thrown at the country’s aspiring architects and interior designers as the AYDA Awards 2026 opens entries under a theme that sounds deceptively simple: “Converge: Embracing Hyperlocal.”
Formerly known as the Asia Young Designer Awards, the competition is encouraging students to look closer to home in search of solutions for some of the world’s biggest urban and environmental problems.
In an era when design trends can travel around the globe in seconds, organizers are asking a provocative question: What if the future is local?
For the Philippines, the idea carries particular weight. Rapid urbanization, climate vulnerability, and the constant balancing act between modernization and heritage preservation have created a unique set of challenges. Rather than importing solutions wholesale, participants are being encouraged to draw from indigenous materials, traditional construction techniques, and community stories to create spaces that are both resilient and distinctly Filipino.
“Design today is no longer just about creating beautiful spaces,” said Chen Lee Siong, general manager of Nippon Paint (Coatings) Philippines, Inc. “Young designers are being challenged to solve real problems, strengthen communities, and create environments that people can genuinely connect with.”
Organized by Nippon Paint, AYDA has grown into one of Asia’s largest design talent platforms. Since launching in 2008, it has attracted more than 50,000 entries from over 1,300 tertiary institutions across 20 geographical locations.
The appeal extends well beyond trophies and bragging rights. Participants gain access to mentorships, workshops, industry networks, internships, and international exposure. Top winners can even earn the coveted Harvard Prize, which includes a fully sponsored three-week Design Discovery Program at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design.
As entries open this June, AYDA is betting that the next globally relevant design breakthrough may begin with something surprisingly familiar: home.
