SOCIETY INTERIORS and Design, India’s leading architecture and interior design magazine has been a forerunner in the industry of design publications for many years. The esteemed magazine has been holding this Pan-India level zonal competition for the students of Architecture and Interior Design Colleges. This year we saw participation from all the zones North, South, East and West. This all-India competition has, for 20 years now, provided students with a platform to showcase their talent in the field of architecture and design. Besides through the Society Interiors Design Competition & Awards, the magazine has been felicitating architects and designers who have been constantly setting new benchmarks in their respective fields with their diverse body of work at the grand finale.
The competition celebrates excellence, rewards creativity & innovation in design and also prepares the students for bigger competition and for better future prospects. During its 20 years journey, the event has discovered and launched many promising names in the architecture & design business. The event serves as a unique opportunity for students to interact with top professionals of the industry, gain guidance of professional jury who nurture and bring forth their talents and showcase it to the industry. These students also have the privilege of sharing the same platform where senior architects and designers are felicitated. The platform is huge and learning is tremendous. What’s more, the winning students also get an opportunity to intern with the country’s top architecture and design companies.
The 20th edition of the Society Interiors Design Competition & Awards 2023 saw some amazing talent come forward as students from across the country showed us what they can do. Hosted by ‘Society Interiors & Design’ magazine, the competition culminated in an award ceremony at the gorgeous Taj Santacruz, Mumbai, and gave our young competitors a chance to mingle with some of the best and brightest in the realms of architecture, design and construction. Ashok Dhamankar with Jitendra Mehta, Mukesh Rishi, Pratap Sarnaik and Mr. Nari Hira Held on 26th February 2023, Society Interiors Design Competition & Awards 2023 hosted by MC, Simran Ahuja and was presented by ICE. One brand that takes efforts to get new materials under one roof is ICE. INDIA COVERINGS EXPO brings together leading brands from the hardware, surfacing and tiles industry in India under one roof during their EXPO. Architects and Interior Designers will be able to explore the latest designs and trends in these industries as well as connect with industry professionals. This is a great opportunity for professionals in these industries to stay ahead of the competition and discover new possibilities.
As is tradition, the evening kick-started with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp with media magnate Nari Hira; Ashok Dhamanka, Director Magnete, Sunil Khavnekar., Director Magnete, Swati Balgi, Consulting Editor, Society Interiors & Design, Praveen Hingad, MD ICE, Aarti Mehta, Director ICE, Andrea Costbir, Editor Society Achievers, Preeta Nair, The event was also graced by legendary actor Mukesh Rishi and film and television heartthrob Sharad Malhotra.
The magazine took the opportunity to honour some iconic names in the design and construction business for their incredible contributions to the industry. This illustrious list included the whos-who of the architecture and design fraternity like, The crème de la crème of the industry attended the Grand Ceremony in Taj Santacruz, Mumbai on 26 February. This grand show showcased the emerging talent and the dynamic future of the design industry.
Mukesh Rishi and Sharad Malhotra were among the celebrities who attended the event. While Real Estate Developers like Boman Irani, Rustomjee Group, Jitendra Mehta JVM Spaces and Pratap Sarnaik, Vihang Group attended the event. Renowned Brand owners Suman Shah, Manohar Jhunjhunwala along with Son Karan Jhunjhunwala, Praveen Hingad and Aarti Mehta. The other important dignitaries who attended the grand event were Senior architects Premnath, Nitin Killawala, Chandrashekhar Kanetkar, Ashotosh Wad, Ketan Chaven,Hiten Sethi, Sandeep Shikre, KhozemaChitalwala, Seema Puri, Reza Kabul, Dipak Thaker, Ankura Patel & Ankit Patel, Krupa Zubin & Ar. Zubin Zainuddin, Vivek Bhole, Yatin Patel, Sonia Potdar, Prasad Badle, Mandar Parab, Behzad Kharas, Ketan Sheth & Manisha Sheth, Shobhan Kothari, Gaurav Sanghavi, Harsh Pote, Pragya Sanghavi, Bhakti Pote, Sandeep Kothari & Sonal Kothari, Ali Baldiwal, Rushi Baheti and Rhuta Baheti Gandhi, Bhavya & Nilesh Kenkare, Ketan Javdekar, Krishna Murthy, Madhavi Bhise, Chhand Bhise, Ketan and ManishaSheth, Kanika Bawa and Alden Pereira.
The awards ceremony started with FELICITATING ARCHITECTS for their path-breaking contribution in redefining the architecture and design industry
For the FIRST Category of Awards which was Outstanding Contribution to Architecture & Interior Design Large Scale Projects, there were three honours.
Outstanding Contribution to Architecture & Interior Design Large Scale Projects
Hiten Sethi is an architect extraordinaire. A truly intellectually and creatively enlightened professional, his iconic designs have entered modern Indian architecture’s hall of fame. His most famous structure, the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) headquarters at Belapur, is India’s first green government building and has entered the Limca Book of Records. His expertise lays in Land Development, Commercial, Residential, Institutional projects, Administrative, Social and Healthcare Projects and Master Planning. Some of these clients include government and private entities like City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO – A Govt. of Maharashtra U/T), Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation, IDBI, Bank of India, Reliance Industries, L & T, The Wadhwa Group, etc. A multidisciplinary firm, HSA also undertakes project management and master planning, besides architecture and interior architecture work.
Outstanding Contribution to Sustainable and Innovative Architecture Practice
Sandeep Shikre Associates with their diverse portfolio has bagged many National and International awards and is one of the leading Architectural full service firms in the country under Sandeep’s leadership. He is a patron of CTBUH (The Council for Tall Building in Urban Habitat) and he has a deep commitment towards sustainable development and is the Chairman of IGBC (Indian Green Building Council) Mumbai Chapter. As a principal architect at Sandeep Shikre Associates, he has built his firm on three driving principles: Partnership, Commitment and Quality; specializing over the years in designing and engineering large-scale projects, providing complete turnkey services from conducting feasibility studies to detailed design and final execution.
With offices in Mumbai and Pune, SSA has translated this passion into projects such as IIT campuses in Bhubaneswar and Kharagpur, as well as international projects like IT Park, Port Louis, Mauritius – some of their noteworthy works so far.
Outstanding Contribution to Architecture and Interior Design Hospitality
Ar. Khozema Chitalwala, a prominent name in the architectural fraternity and beyond, has been a major driving force for several independent and collaborative projects across the globe. He established his firm, Designers Group in 1989. Graduated from Rachna Sansad in 1987, and has worked persistently on growing his firm within the hospitality industry. His works include interior design and architectural projects for hotels of all categories & brands. He has worked with reputed brands like Taj, Marriott, Sheraton, Hilton, Pride, Holiday Inn, Mahagun, Ramada, Park Plaza, Novotel, Hometel, Radisson, Heritage, Grand Mercure, Avadh, Regenta, Orchid, Golden Tulip, Fariyas, The Fern, Choice, 7 Apple, Fortune, Wow, Best Western, Imperial, Sarovar and Blossom to name a few. His hard work, perseverance and strong network over these years has manifested in Designers Group becoming a leading hospitality design firm in India.
Outstanding Contribution to Innovative Architecture and Interior Design
The principal architects Seema Puri and Zarir Mullan have handled highend residential, commercial, retail architecture and interiors. Having won many awards and accolades for their exemplary work has not made them complacent, rather they still keep striving towards creating avantegarde architecture. Their work exemplifies innovative thinking and practice not only in the use of rapidly changing technology but in sustainability, innovative use of materials, engineering and construction. This is the philosophy that the husband and wife firm believe in, and which they have tried to successfully achieve in the past few years. They have projects both in India and Dubai.
Outstanding Contribution to Innovative Architecture and Interior Design
Founded in 1988 by Reza Kabul; ARK Reza Kabul Architects headquartered in Mumbai (India) with offices ARK Studio Pune (Pune, India) and ARK Studio Inc (California, USA); is a full-service architectural, interiors, landscape design and planning company. ARK is a comprehensive global design studio with three decades of proven expertise in project design and delivery ranging from master plans and townships, to industrial, hospitality, commercial, institutional, educational and residential segments.
Reza Kabul, known as the pioneer of high-rise architecture in India, is a revered name in the Indian Architecture & Design fraternity. With 34 years of expertise in the industry, his projects range from hospitality giants such as the Taj Group of Hotels, properties by Marriott, Hyatt and Hilton; to key real estate players such as Kanakia Group, Crescent Developers, Ekta World, and Seth Creators; amongst several.
Outstanding Contribution to Innovative Architecture and Interior Design
Architect Dipak Thaker strongly believes in innovative use of sustainable materials, stemming from his strong personal belief in the value of environmental conservancy with modern technology and the principle of “modern architecture drawn from traditional guidelines”. His specialty lies in creating aesthetically pleasing and immaculately planned spaces with an eye for detail. In the year 1989 he established his twin firms INTERARCH & DID CONSULTANTS backed by experienced architects and designers, with today’s strength of 40 people. While DID CONSULTANTS has a range of skilled personnel suited for architectural and master planning purpose, INTERARCH is well equipped with a team of imaginative and inspired individuals who focus on interior designing. Both entities have grown into a strong team of experienced and creative professionals, providing one stop design solutions from concept to final physical creation.
Outstanding Contribution to Innovative Architecture and Interior Design
With an early foray and tryst with creativity from the prestigious CEPT, Ahmedabad, Ankura co-founded ANA Designs with Ankit Patel in 2004. Amalgamating a designer’s approach and expertise with Ankura’s business proficiency in Project Management Technology, Ankura is the design mind behind ANA’s success as India’s leading design and build firms across diverse vertical domains. With over 20 years of experience in corporate interior design, Ankura has a keen eye for detailing and a flair for unconventional design that is representative of Modern India with a global approach. Under her leadership, ANA has established presence in more than 5 Indian cities, successfully completing over 10 million sq. ft of commercial spaces and offices with complete design and build services. With a focus on delivering quality and conscious design at an appropriate budget, ANA is known for its creativity, culture, team and professional ethics, catering to complete turnkey solutions for private, public and Fortune 500 firms, pan-India. ANA has also won many awards such as the 50 best Interior designers of India, The CNBC Awaaz CRISIL Real Estate Award etc. along with CRISIL Ratings as the top company for financial strength. The work of ANA gets frequently recognized by both trade and non-trade media.
Outstanding Contribution to Innovative Architecture and Interior Design
ZZ Architects by Architects Krupa Zubin & Ar. Zubin Zainuddinis known for their unique approach, to architecture and interior design, which is a bespoke and very intimate process of discovering each client’s personal style. Over the past few years, ZZ Architects has emerged as a leading full-service Luxury Architecture, Interior Design and Décor firm based in Mumbai and have been working across key cities in the country with clients including leaders in business, finance and industry, as well as society, film and politics. With a team of over 60 Architects and Interior Designers, the firm’s work encompasses projects across categories with work and clients spread all around leading cities in India and also select cities globally.
Outstanding Contribution to Innovative Architecture and Interior Design
Ar Vivek Bhole is considered to be one of the leading architects in Mumbai and is the Principal of M/S VivekBhole Architects PVT ltd, which is one of leading architectural firms in Mumbai. With project spanning across 50 cities in India, VBA has an ongoing project portfolio of 200+ million SQF under construction. With over 15 years of experience, Vivek provides the firm with senior leadership and design talent. For more than a decade, he has incorporated an integrated design approach that combines function, beauty and the environment. He is strongly committed to quality, professionalism and integrity.
Outstanding Contribution to Innovative Architecture and Interior Design
Once Yatin Patel stepped out of the university with his Bachelor of Architecture degree, his apprenticeship years began a new course of learning – where practical ground realities needed to be mastered. “After a year’s stint as junior architect with a small architectural firm, I was goaded by a few friends to start my own practice with a promise of continuous work from them,” he discloses about the time he established Yatin Patel and Associates in 1989. His first independent project, a high-fashion retail outlet in SoBo (South Bombay), solidified his commitment to establish his own practice while still a fresh graduate.
The glitzy evening also witnessed the unveiling a new ICE Talks Show by celebrity Mr Praveen Hingad, Aarti Mehta and Sonia Potdar.
The next set of honors was dedicated to felicitating prominent real estate stalwarts for their magnificent body of work.
Outstanding Contribution of Real Estate Development
Vikas Oberoi is the Chairman and Managing Director of Oberoi Realty group – India’s leading real estate development company, headquartered in Mumbai. It is focused on premium developments in the residential, office space, retail, hospitality and social infrastructure verticals. The Oberoi Group has already developed 12 million sq. ft. spaces in Mumbai, and work on developing another 40 million sq. ft. is underway. He is also the founder of ‘Oberoi Foundation’ which focuses on the development of educational institutions and other social infrastructure. The Oberoi International School which opened in 2008 in Mumbai is such an initiative by the Foundation that aims to provide world-class education for children.
Outstanding Contribution to Innovative Architecture and Interior Design The principal architects Seema Puri and Zarir Mullan have handled highend residential, commercial, retail architecture and interiors. Having won many awards and accolades for their exemplary work has not made them complacent, rather they still keep striving towards creating avantegarde architecture. Their work exemplifies innovative thinking and practice not only in the use of rapidly changing technology but in sustainability, innovative use of materials, engineering and construction. This is the philosophy that the husband and wife firm believe in, and which they have tried to successfully achieve in the past few years. They have projects both in India and Dubai.
Outstanding Contribution to Innovative Architecture and Interior Design
Founded in 1988 by Reza Kabul; ARK Reza Kabul Architects headquartered in Mumbai (India) with offices ARK Studio Pune (Pune, India) and ARK Studio Inc (California, USA); is a full-service architectural, interiors, landscape design and planning company. ARK is a comprehensive global design studio with three decades of proven expertise in project design and delivery ranging from master plans and townships, to industrial, hospitality, commercial, institutional, educational and residential segments.
Reza Kabul, known as the pioneer of high-rise architecture in India, is a revered name in the Indian Architecture & Design fraternity. With 34 years of expertise in the industry, his projects range from hospitality giants such as the Taj Group of Hotels, properties by Marriott, Hyatt and Hilton; to key real estate players such as Kanakia Group, Crescent Developers, Ekta World, and Seth Creators; amongst several.
Outstanding Contribution to Innovative Architecture and Interior Design
Architect Dipak Thaker strongly believes in innovative use of sustainable materials, stemming from his strong personal belief in the value of environmental conservancy with modern technology and the principle of “modern architecture drawn from traditional guidelines”. His specialty lies in creating aesthetically pleasing and immaculately planned spaces with an eye for detail. In the year 1989 he established his twin firms INTERARCH & DID CONSULTANTS backed by experienced architects and designers, with today’s strength of 40 people. While DID CONSULTANTS has a range of skilled personnel suited for architectural and master planning purpose, INTERARCH is well equipped with a team of imaginative and inspired individuals who focus on interior designing. Both entities have grown into a strong team of experienced and creative professionals, providing one stop design solutions from concept to final physical creation.
Outstanding Contribution to Innovative Architecture and Interior Design
With an early foray and tryst with creativity from the prestigious CEPT, Ahmedabad, Ankura co-founded ANA Designs with Ankit Patel in 2004. Amalgamating a designer’s approach and expertise with Ankura’s business proficiency in Project Management Technology, Ankura is the design mind behind ANA’s success as India’s leading design and build firms across diverse vertical domains. With over 20 years of experience in corporate interior design, Ankura has a keen eye for detailing and a flair for unconventional design that is representative of Modern India with a global approach. Under her leadership, ANA has established presence in more than 5 Indian cities, successfully completing over 10 million sq. ft of commercial spaces and offices with complete design and build services. With a focus on delivering quality and conscious design at an appropriate budget, ANA is known for its creativity, culture, team and professional ethics, catering to complete turnkey solutions for private, public and Fortune 500 firms, pan-India. ANA has also won many awards such as the 50 best Interior designers of India, The CNBC Awaaz CRISIL Real Estate Award etc. along with CRISIL Ratings as the top company for financial strength. The work of ANA gets frequently recognized by both trade and non-trade media.
Outstanding Contribution to Innovative Architecture and Interior Design
ZZ Architects by Architects Krupa Zubin & Ar. Zubin Zainuddinis known for their unique approach, to architecture and interior design, which is a bespoke and very intimate process of discovering each client’s personal style. Over the past few years, ZZ Architects has emerged as a leading full-service Luxury Architecture, Interior Design and Décor firm based in Mumbai and have been working across key cities in the country with clients including leaders in business, finance and industry, as well as society, film and politics. With a team of over 60 Architects and Interior Designers, the firm’s work encompasses projects across categories with work and clients spread all around leading cities in India and also select cities globally.
Outstanding Contribution to Innovative Architecture and Interior Design
Ar Vivek Bhole is considered to be one of the leading architects in Mumbai and is the Principal of M/S VivekBhole Architects PVT ltd, which is one of leading architectural firms in Mumbai. With project spanning across 50 cities in India, VBA has an ongoing project portfolio of 200+ million SQF under construction. With over 15 years of experience, Vivek provides the firm with senior leadership and design talent. For more than a decade, he has incorporated an integrated design approach that combines function, beauty and the environment. He is strongly committed to quality, professionalism and integrity.
Outstanding Contribution to Innovative Architecture and Interior Design
Once Yatin Patel stepped out of the university with his Bachelor of Architecture degree, his apprenticeship years began a new course of learning – where practical ground realities needed to be mastered. “After a year’s stint as junior architect with a small architectural firm, I was goaded by a few friends to start my own practice with a promise of continuous work from them,” he discloses about the time he established Yatin Patel and Associates in 1989. His first independent project, a high-fashion retail outlet in SoBo (South Bombay), solidified his commitment to establish his own practice while still a fresh graduate.
The glitzy evening also witnessed the unveiling a new ICE Talks Show by celebrity Mr Praveen Hingad, Aarti Mehta and Sonia Potdar.
The next set of honors was dedicated to felicitating prominent real estate stalwarts for their magnificent body of work.
