Saint-Gobain Concludes Transparence 18.0, Architectural Contest For Students

April 2, 2024: Saint-Gobain concluded the 18th edition of architectural competition, Transparence 18.0 in association with Ethos. Transparence 18.0 received participation of 1800+ registrations and 680+ submissions from 130+ colleges and 36 colleges have taken Transparence 18.0 as their curriculum project, informs a press release issued by the company.

Under the theme ‘The Art and Science of Building Responsibly,’ Transparence 18.0 set out to cultivate groundbreaking solutions tackling modern challenges in architecture and design.

A R Unnikrishnan, Managing Director, Glass & Glass Solutions, Saint-Gobain India Pvt. Ltd. said that “Over the past 18 years, Transparence has been a breeding ground for nurturing the future talent of India’s architecture and design. For close to two decades, Saint-Gobain has steadfastly championed this initiative by collaborating closely with leading architecture and design colleges and the country’s renowned Architects and Designers. Transparence’s seamless integration into college curriculum fosters innovation and excellence in the young talents. At Saint-Gobain, we remain committed to empowering the next generation of creative minds through the platforms like Transparence.”

Commenting on the success of Transparence 18.0, Anand Santhanam, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer, Saint-Gobain India Pvt. Ltd. – Glass Business said, “We are excited by the exceptional talent showcased in Transparence 18.0. This year has witnessed the highest ever submissions for Transparence, reinforcing its status as India’s premiere design competition for the students. The quality of the submissions was quite overwhelming representing a significant stride towards a future where architecture blends creativity, sustainability, and design. We are thankful to the colleges, who have taken Transparence as their curriculum project, reflecting their commitment to nurture the next generation of architects and designers shaping responsible architecture. The winners exemplified remarkable innovation and creativity, offering solutions that not only impressed but also inspired. Our hearty congratulations to all the winners.”

A panel of experts, comprising architects and interior designers, served as the jury for the finale. Among them were Ar. Qutub Mandviwala, Director – Mandiwala Qutub & Associates; Ar. Sebastian Jose, Founder Principal – Silpi Architects, Kerala; Ar. Mansi Dwivedi, Principal Associate – CPG Consultants India Pvt. Ltd., Bengaluru; Ar. Hemant Yale, Director Corporate Interiors – RSP, Bengaluru; Ar. Meena Murthy Kakkar, Design Head & Partner – Envisage, Gurugram and Associate Professor – SPA, Delhi, and Ar. Vijaya Bhargav, Partner & Co-founder – Ostraca, Bengaluru.

13 finalists across the categories of architecture and design were selected from the regionals, who showcased a diverse range of innovative approaches to sustainable building solutions, illustrating the depth of talent and creativity fostered by the competition. The winners in the architecture category are Srivibhu Viraj, L.S. Raheja School of Architecture, Mumbai; Qazi Shadman, BMS College of Architecture, Bengaluru; and Swaminathan Velraj, B M S School of Architecture, Bengaluru. The winners in the interior design category are Suraj Ighe, Academy of Architecture, Mumbai; Yuktha K, RV College of Architecture, Bengaluru; and Ujwal Gowda B J, TP Soundarya & HS Khushi, Siddaganga Institute Campus, Tumkur.

The Grand Finale also witnessed the award of Saint-Gobain grants of INR 1 lakh each to 6 students for their proposals on sustainable design interventions. These awardees will pursue the projects to their logical conclusion with the assistance of the grant money.