Turkish Architects Shine in Bangkok: Nippon Paint Wins Two Global Awards

Nippon Paint, a global giant in the paint industry, once again provided a platform for the creativity of architects and designers through its international competitions. At the closing ceremony held on June 30, 2026, in Bangkok, Thailand, Turkish representatives achieved significant victories in two separate competitions: the "Creative Colour Awards" (CCA) and the "Asia Young Designer Awards" (AYDA) [1].

Victory in Creative Colour Awards (CCA): Epoca Restaurant In the professional category, the "Epoca Restaurant" project by the architectural firm Kontra Mimarlık won first prize in the "Best Corporate and Commercial Interior Design" category [2]. This competition, which aims to honor the smart and creative use of color in architectural spaces, hosted 248 projects from 19 different countries this year.

The Epoca Restaurant project, by overcoming strong competitors in the final list including works from Singapore and India, demonstrated how color can transform the identity of a commercial space as a powerful visual language. Arzu Uludağ, Global Marketing Manager of Nippon Paint, noted during the ceremony that these awards look beyond aesthetics for projects that showcase the transformative potential of color in bringing spaces to life [1].

Asia Young Designer Awards (AYDA): Rising Talents Shine In the student category, Sinem Göl, a student at Istanbul Technical University (İTÜ), won the "Best Design Impact" award for her innovative project titled "Industrial Alchemy: Kinesis State of Memory" [2][3].

The 18th edition of the AYDA competition was held under the theme "Convergence: Creating a Cultural Legacy," with more than 9,000 students from 17 countries participating. Sinem Göl, who had previously secured first place in the Turkish national stage, managed to impress international judges at the Bangkok global finals with her innovative approach to industrial heritage and its recreation [1]. This success reflects the high level of architectural education and the immense potential of the young generation of designers in Turkey.

Nippon Paint's Commitment to Innovation and Social Responsibility By holding these two events simultaneously in Bangkok, Nippon Paint provided a space for professional designers and young talents to exchange knowledge and experience. The company has been committed to supporting future generations of architecture since launching the AYDA program in 2008 [3].

Turkey's recent successes in these competitions are not only a source of pride for the country's architectural community but also demonstrate the positive impact of social responsibility programs by major companies like Nippon Paint in elevating global design standards. These awards allow architects to showcase their projects to international elites beyond local borders [2].