The 23rd edition of the Society Interiors & Design Competition & Awards 2026, in association with the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO), saw the presence of dignitaries, including politicians, the Mayor, directors, senior professionals, and educators, coming together to support and inspire students. Their participation elevated the event into a meaningful platform celebrating young talent and nurturing the next generation of architects and designers.
Ashok Dhamankar, Founder of Magnate Publishing, along with Swati Balgi, Consulting Editor of Society Interiors & Design, and Team Magnate, hosted the spectacular 23rd Society Interiors & Design Competition & Awards 2026 (SIDCA 26). Held in association with the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO), the prestigious event unfolded at the grand Imperial Ballroom of Taj Santacruz, Mumbai, bringing together Politicians, the Mayor, directors, senior professionals, and educators and leading names from the design fraternity to celebrate emerging talent in architecture and interiors.
The ceremony formally commenced with the traditional lighting of the lamp by Ashok Dhamankar and Jayshree Dhamankar; Swati Balgi, Consulting Editor; Sunil Khavnekar, Director, Magnate Publishing; Shivendra Parihar, Consulting Director – Strategy & Growth; Jitendra Mehta of JVM Spaces; Neeti Goel, restaurateur and social impact activist; Aneel Murarka, industrialist and philanthropist; Andrea CostaBir, Chief Editor, Society Achievers; and Preeta Nair, Director, Magnate Publishing—marking the beginning of an evening dedicated to creativity and learning.
Bringing together architects, designers, educators, mentors, industry leaders, and students from across the country, the event celebrated the creativity and ambition of India’s next generation of design professionals. What makes SIDCA particularly significant is its ability to bridge academia and professional practice, allowing students to test their ideas against real-world design briefs while receiving guidance from established practitioners.
In an era where design education is rapidly evolving, such competitions serve as powerful platforms that encourage experimentation, critical thinking, and innovation. For many students, SIDCA represents their first opportunity to engage with the larger design fraternity beyond their academic institutions—an experience that often shapes their professional outlook and aspirations.
The iconic event was graced by the presence of Chief Guests Shrikant Shinde, Hon. Member of Parliament, and Ritu Tawde, Hon. Mayor of Mumbai. Adding further prestige to the evening were Guests of Honour Madhur Bhandarkar, National Award-winning filmmaker and Padma Shri awardee, and Rahul Shewale, former Hon. Member of Parliament.
Despite their demanding public responsibilities and busy schedules, the dignitaries took time to be present at the event, reflecting their support for initiatives that nurture young talent. Their presence not only added stature to the occasion but also served as a strong encouragement for the students, acknowledging the effort, creativity, and dedication that goes into developing design ideas at the academic stage.
Addressing the audience, the dignitaries encouraged students to approach design not merely as a profession but as a responsibility towards society and the built environment. They emphasised the importance of innovation, sustainability, and thoughtful urban interventions in shaping India’s future cities.
In her address, Mayor Ritu Tawde particularly urged young architects and designers to envision innovative ideas for the entrance gateways of Mumbai, encouraging them to contribute meaningfully to the city’s evolving urban identity. Her remarks resonated strongly with the students present, highlighting the important role designers play in shaping civic spaces and public experiences.
The evening was further elevated by the presence of other distinguished personalities, including Jitendra Mehta, Poonam Soni, Neeti Goel, Aneel Murarka, and Rekha Chaudhari. Addressing the students, they shared insights from their professional journeys, reflecting on perseverance, innovation, and the importance of pursuing one’s passion. Their words of encouragement and personal experiences offered valuable motivation to the young architects and designers present, adding further prestige and inspiration to the evening.
The Awards Ceremony Begins…
For the Society Interiors & Design Competition & Awards (SIDCA) 2026, students from architecture and design institutes across India were invited to respond to a set of carefully crafted briefs across four categories: Residential, Commercial, Product Design, and Visual Art. Each brief was designed to challenge participants to apply creativity, critical thinking, and practical design solutions while responding to contemporary spatial and artistic contexts.
Residential Category
In the Residential category, participants were challenged to design a 5,000 sq. ft. luxury apartment in Worli, Mumbai, offering sweeping views of the Arabian Sea and the city skyline.
The brief envisioned a home for a finance-sector couple, their 18-year-old daughter, and parents who visit occasionally. With the family maintaining an active social life and a wide circle of friends, the design needed to balance intimate family living with sophisticated spaces for entertaining.
Students were expected to propose a design that reflects contemporary luxury, functionality, and spatial sophistication, while ensuring comfort for everyday living and social gatherings. The project was to be developed within an estimated budget of rupees 12,000–15,000 per sq. ft., encouraging thoughtful planning and design efficiency.
Commercial Category
In the Commercial category, participants were tasked with designing an office space for a Visual and Performing Arts non-profit trust, an organisation dedicated to nurturing artists from diverse backgrounds and supporting the creation and promotion of their work.
The proposed office was envisioned as a dynamic workplace for staff, senior managers, and executives, while also functioning as a welcoming hub for visiting artists, collaborators, and members of the creative community.
Students were required to create a space that balances functionality with creativity, reflecting the organisation’s ethos of inclusivity, innovation, and cultural engagement. In addition to efficient workspaces, the design needed to incorporate lounges and interactive zones that encourage dialogue, collaboration, and inspiration. The challenge invited participants to imagine a vibrant environment where administration and artistic expression coexist seamlessly.
Product Design Category
The Product Design category invited participants to design a Multipurpose Wall Unit with an Integrated Bar, envisioned as a focal feature within the living or entertainment room— the social heart of a home where people gather, relax, and celebrate.
The challenge required students to conceptualise a unit that seamlessly integrates entertainment, storage, display, and a bar into one cohesive design. Beyond functionality, the wall unit was expected to act as a statement element, keeping everyday items neatly organised while allowing the bar to emerge as a highlight when revealed during social gatherings.
Students were encouraged to focus on versatility and thoughtful functionality, ensuring the unit remains practical for daily use while easily transforming into an engaging feature for entertaining. The design was expected to strike a balance between clean contemporary lines and moments of visual interest, creating a piece that is both elegant and adaptable.
Visual Art Category
In the Visual Art category, participants were invited to create original artworks responding to a cohesive design concept, encouraging exploration across diverse artistic mediums while presenting a unified visual narrative.
Students could participate either individually or as teams. Solo participants were required to submit a single painting, while teams could present artworks across multiple visual art forms such as painting, sculpture, ceramics, photography, textile-based art, or other recognised visual mediums.
Mentor Felicatation
Before recognising student achievements, the event also honoured the mentors and jury members who guided and evaluated the competition. Their expertise played a crucial role in shaping the competition, which saw enthusiastic participation from architecture and interior design colleges across the North, South, East and West zones of India. The mentors and jury included Ar. Sunil Gambani, Ar. Milind Pai, Ar. Ankit Shah, Pritik Ajmera, and Rupesh Shah, Ar. Nirmala Banaji, Interior Designer, Ketan Sheth, and Ar. Jasleen Changani.
The evening culminated with the announcement of the All-India Winners across Residential, Commercial, Product Design and Visual Arts categories, celebrating exceptional creativity, technical understanding and innovative thinking. The event concluded with a vote of thanks by our compere, Simran Ahuja, and an invitation for guests and students to continue the celebrations over High Tea. The magazine would like to thank Magnate’s young ones – Nitya Chokhani, Isha Chhedha, Jivisha Toshniwal, and Suhani Chavan; the team at Taj Santacruz for being our hospitality partner; and our media partners Bright Outdoor Media and Naarad PR & Strategists.
Winners – Society Interiors Design Competition & Awards 2026
Commercial Category
1st Place: NIF Global, Indore Vinjal Jain, Taha Kapdawala, Swastik Kesarwani, Aanya Jain
2nd Place: ESEDS School of Design Sabir Chhutani, Ujjala Singh, Puja Chowdhury, Farhan Ahmed
3rd Place: NIF Global Himayatnagar Aanchal Mundra, Mahi Kasera, Deshna Jain, Aniruddha Ojha & LS Raheja School of Architecture, Bandra East Saifur Rehman Malik, Kritika Kotian, Aishani Rangnekar, Hardik Nahar
Residential Category
1st Place: LS Raheja School of Architecture Krisha Vadhan, Vidhushi Choudhary, Krish Mehta, Candace Valladares
2nd Place: Rachana Sansad, Academy of Architecture Hetvi Chheda, Shankar Rampariya, Jayesh Suthar, Lynn D’Chuna
Special Appreciation – ESEDS School of Design Aparupa Paul, Amit Das, Srija Ghosh, Santa Mondal
Product Design Category
1st Place: L.S. Raheja School of Architecture Bhargavi Shekatkar, Mohd Taha Reani
2nd Place: MEASI Academy of Architecture Aadithya A, Dheeksha R
Visual Arts Category (Team)
1st Place: ESEDS School of Design Eemon Fariha, Selma Debbarma, Bhaswata Nayak, Anjali Sharma
2nd Place: Pearl Academy Shruti Modak, Chikki Nikita Kharai
3rd Place: NIF Global Himayatnagar Rishita Jain, Ojasvi Madhogharia, Bhavana Choudhary, Reeti Sanghi Special Appreciation: Hisham Dianath Khan
Visual Arts Category
Kashish Bawa Enand
Swami Vivekananda College of Architecture
