WADe ASIA’s Excellence Awards have been an initiative to celebrate and promote the Women in Art, Design, and Architecture. Started in 2016, WADE has been since then, a pioneer in recognizing the progress of women in the field, by organizing annual conferences, discussions, and awarding Women Architects, Interior Designers, Artists, and Engineers for their projects in Sustainability, Innovation, and sensibility towards traditional and modern techniques. The fourth year of the Awards was organized on 11th and 12th October 2019 at NSIC Grounds, New Delhi, focusing on the theme- ‘Women-Water-Workmanship’.
1. Amla Ruia
The Highest WADe Award- Blue WADe was presented to Ms. Amla Ruia for her Lifetime Achievement and Special Contribution towards Water Harvesting. Rightly called ‘Water Mother of India’, Ms. Ruia has worked towards generating sustainable solutions for India’s drought-prone villages of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, etc. Her ‘Aakar Charitable Trust (ACT)’ is responsible for constructing check dams, harvesting stints, and roof harvesting systems for water conservation.
2. Sheila Sri Prakash
WADe Sustainability Champion, Ar. Sheila Sri Prakash is an architect, urban designer, sustainability expert, and founder of her firm- ‘Shilpa Architects’. ‘Reciprocity in Design’ is her style of adding vernacular techniques into contemporary designs, and merging built environment to human behavior and sociology. The first Indian woman to start her own firm, she designs range from residences, intuitions, hospitality, and even mixed-used projects.
3. Sangeeta Wij
Managing Director of SD Engineering Consultants, Sangeeta Wij has expertise in design and drawing for earthquake resistant structures. Her firm counts over 500 completed projects including Metros, Townships, Industrial and Hospitality, Commercial constructions, etc. The WADe Woman in Engineering awardee, she is also the President of Women in Science and Engineering (WISE India).
4. Krishna Kapadia
The design team, headed by Krishna Kapadia of Studio Lagom was awarded ‘WADE-The Best use of Color’. Whilst creating spaces for lifestyles, the team blends spaces with nature and incorporates eco-friendly materials in their works. Think of it- The Garden Restaurant in Surat is an example of a studio’s approach to mix colors in the design.
5. Keta Shah
The WADe Award for Best use of color in Interior Design was bestowed to Keta Shah’s Workshop Inc., Ahmadabad. Their vision of geometry and pattern, along with vibrant colors to enhance the space is reflected in their architecture and interior design and exhibition works.
6. Nimisha Hakkim
With a knack of finding sustainable solutions to architectural problems, the Director of DAC Global, Calicut has expertise in urban and building regeneration. Nimisha Hakkim has worked on various residential and commercial projects such as – Cuppa Café, Deemah Residence, and Hidden House Residence. She is the Young WADe Emerging Architect in 2019.
7. Nikita Dsilva
For her Studio STaND, Mumbai, Nikita Dsilva won the Young WADe Emerging Interior Designer of 2019. The studio’s works in Eco-home designs, restaurant and dining designs, Landscaping, customized furniture, and spaces- all showcase the use of minimalism to create pure and warm spaces.
8. Kasturi Kundu
Studio Salient in Kolkata has been extensively involved in Villa, Clubs, and Resort based projects. Anaya Kutir is one such example of their multi-disciplinary, research-based designs. Kasturi Kundu, who leads the team of designers and architects at Salient was presented with WADe Excellence- Most Sustainable Design award last year.
9. Sonali Rastogi
Founder Partner of Morphogenesis, Sonali Rastogi’s design approach has always been inspired by processes of nature such as adaptability, diversity, and sustainability. Her works address the need for an evolving socio-cultural sensitivity and resource availability of the site. Her expertise in architecture and interior designs is evident in Pearl Academy of Jaipur, British Council, YWCA building in New Delhi, and a lot more, which have earned her the award for WADe Excellence in Commercial Architecture.
10. Aparna Rao
Aparna Rao is the Co-founder of FICUS, Bangalore, and has won The WADe Excellence in Landscape Award. Her projects are spread across various bio-climatic regions, all portraying the user-oriented and sustainable landscaping innovations. Projects like- Kalabhoomi Museum, Bhubaneshwar, and British Residency at Telangana speak of her style.
11. Anjali Mangalgiri
Anjali Mangalgiri is a LEED-US and IGBC Accredited professional and had founded her own firm Grounded, in Goa. One of her most acclaimed projects- Nivim has been recognized for its contemporary design and best of indoor-outdoor living style. The use of natural materials, maximizing daylight, and a seamless connection to nature is all the defining features of Mangalgiri’s works. For her exquisite and luxurious designs, she is a WADe Excellence in Residential (above 3000sq.ft) Architecture awardee.
12. Manisha Agarwal
Founded by Manisha Agarwal, MO-OF Architects in Mumbai are the architects of SPA Vijayawada, among their other housing and intuitional projects. Agarwal’s interest in architecture can be credited to the evolving cities along with the sustainable issues and the potential offered to the design to invoke solutions for the same. For her work, she has won the WADe Excellence in Education Award, 2019.
13. Jesal Pathak
Inspired by the dynamic Urban Life, Jesal Pathak joined M9 Design Studio as it’s the creative head. Aiming to impact people’s lives thought her designed spaces, Ar. Jesal won the WADe Excellence in Public Building Award for her use of prefabricated materials and passive technologies in her designs.
14. BhadriSutar
With her styles revolving around simplicity, clarity, and contextual designs, Ar. Bhadri Suthar has founded ‘tHEgRID Architects’ and provides design services while working with wood, stone, metal, and greenery. The Interior Designer creates timeless and grand indoor spaces that have earned her the WADe Excellence Award for Residential (above 3000sq.ft) Interior Design.
15. VanshikaBharaj
Having done Masters in Landscape Architecture from Delft University of Technology, VanshikaBharaj is the WADe Student Project Winner of 2019. Currently working with DADA Architects, she believes in maintaining coordination and communication between the students and educational planners.
