The Festival of Architecture and Interior Designing (FOAID) recently concluded its highly anticipated annual event celebrating their 10th Anniversary, leaving an indelible mark on the architecture and design landscape. The event, held at NSIC Grounds Okhla, New Delhi on 24th & 25th November, brought together leading professionals, industry experts, and enthusiasts for a celebration of creativity, innovation, and design excellence. This milestone edition not only marked a decade of fostering innovation but also underscored FOAID’s pivotal role in shaping the discourse and setting new standards in the dynamic realm of architecture and design.
Here is a sneak-peak into the highlights of FOAID 2023 Delhi Edition:
Design Manthan: An inspiring conference
The Design Manthan, a flagship event of FOAID 2023, witnessed an intellectual odyssey with over 80 distinguished international and national speakers. Renowned architects such as Ar. Kai-Uwe Bergman of Bjarke Ingels Group, Ar. Robert Greenwood of Snohetta, Prof. Hanif Kara of AKT II, Ar. Adina Bisek of Grimshaw, Ar. Sanjay Puri of Sanjay Puri Architects, Ar. Zafar Chaudhary of Habitat Architects, Ar. Biju Kuriakose of architectureRED, Ar. Abin Chaudhuri of Abin Design Studio, Ar. Manish Gulati of M:OFA Studio, Ar. Saurabh Gupta of Studio Archohm and many more graced the stage. Engaging discussions explored topics ranging from Form Giving, Urban Design and Sustainability to the impact of technology on architecture and future trends, providing attendees with insights into the latest challenges shaping the industry. The conference also hosted some very interesting panel sessions on the topics ‘Let’s talk business’, Canon(s) Confessions and other relevant topics featuring Ar. Smaran Mallesh, Ar. Madhav Raman, Ar. Sohrab Dalal, Ar. Gayathri Shetty and many more renowned members of the design fraternity. The conference concluded with a very exciting Design Dialogue between Ar. Dikshu Kukreja and Ar. Akshat Bhatt.
Competitions: Recognizing Ingenuity in Design
ICA Creative Minds Next:
This progressive platform recognized and awarded senior design professionals for their outstanding contributions to ongoing and unbuilt projects from Zone 2 which includes the Northern and Eastern part of India. The jury, consisting of some senior and experienced names of the industry like Anjali Goel of ANCA, Vikrant Tike of SAV, Charanjit Shah of CDA, Snehal Shah of ESSTEAM and others meticulously evaluated the shortlisted projects, showcasing a diverse array of design prowess. The competition had received over 500+ entries out of which the Top 10 finalists were shortlisted and the winners of the competition were awarded during the Award night on the 25th November.
Expressions – Art Installation Competition:
Expressions competition is a special initiative for students curated and moderated by Ar. Ketan Jawdekar of Studio K7. This year, the student competition, themed Pop – Art, garnered significant attention with entries pouring in from colleges across different parts of Zone 2. The competition had received over 30 entries and after the preliminary online round, 6 colleges were shortlisted. Students came a day prior and built the installation on-site. On 25th November, there was a presentation round followed by a live jury session where the jurors visit the installations and gave marking. The winning entry from Apeejay School of Architecture & Planning, Greater Noida demonstrated exceptional creativity and innovation, setting a high standard for student-led design.
Uncensored – Straight from the heart
This initiative is designed exclusively for students, provided a platform for open communication. Students interacted with a panel of established architects and interior designers, asking questions and discussing various topics. This initiative aimed to bridge the gap in communication between the learning and established generations of designers. We had a very engaging panel of established architects and designers including, Udayveer Singh, Gursimran Boparai, Mitu Mathur, Niraj Shah, Dhruv Gupta and Adreesh Chakraborty.
VOX Architecture Ideas- Gen Next Competition:
This annual national competition celebrated the works of Gen-Next designers under the age of 35 years. The first part of this competition was held in the Mumbai Edition where the TOP 6 semi-finalists were shortlisted through a preliminary online round. In the Mumbai edition, TOP 3 finalists were selected across 10 different categories that had many and these finalists were invited to Delhi edition. Through Live presentations and Q&A rounds, jury panel determined the winners, highlighting innovative design solutions and concepts. The notable panel of jury include Sanjay Gulati, Sonali Bhagwati, Alkesh Gangwal, Rohit Suraj, Tarannum Kadri, Hartmut Wurster and many more stalwarts of the industry.
Design Arena: A Spectacle of Design Brilliance
Spanning 30,000 sq. ft., the Design Arena emerged as a visual spectacle, showcasing 200+ inspirational works, including Built, Unbuilt, and Ongoing projects. Featuring projects of Notable architects, including Vinu Daniel’s Chuzhi in Tamil Nadu, Verendra Wakhloo’s Prism in New Delhi, Zafar Chaudhary’s NAZCAA in Dubai, Saurabh Gupta’s Chowk and Charpai, London, Sumessh Menon’s Skyvilla Residence, Bengaluru, Sonali and Manit Rastogi’s Surat Diamond Bourse and other eminent architects and designers contributed to the rich tapestry of architectural diversity. The exhibition provided a comprehensive overview of the current design landscape, featuring projects that ranged from residential marvels to cutting-edge commercial spaces.
International Furniture Pavilion: A Global Perspective
The International Furniture Pavilion brought together leading international furniture brands, offering attendees a global perspective on the latest trends and innovative solutions. Spazio Living, Drawfour, among others, presented their avant-garde designs, creating an immersive experience for design enthusiasts.
Brand Arena: Showcasing Industry Leaders
The Brand Arena brought together nationally and internationally renowned brands, offering a platform for industry leaders to showcase cutting-edge products and solutions. Dorset, Colston, Classic Marble Company, Kansai Nerolac Paints and many others known for their commitment to design excellence, actively participated and engaged with architects and designers, contributing to the overall success of the event.
Installations: Fusion of Art and Design
The installations at FOAID 2023 added an artistic dimension to the event. “Throne of Fame” by Poonam Mehta, an avant-garde representation of design accolades, captivated audiences. Light Vision India’s installation, showcased the intersection of light and design, creating a visual spectacle within the venue.
FOAID 2023 went beyond the conventional conference format by providing ample opportunities for networking. Exclusive lunches and dinners facilitated informal interactions among participants, fostering connections that transcended the boundaries of formal gatherings
Save the Date for FOAID 2024: A Glimpse into the Future
If you missed this year’s extravaganza, fret not! FOAID 2024 is just around the corner. Stay tuned for the announcement of dates and gear up for another round of groundbreaking design experiences. Don’t miss your chance to be part of the next decade of design excellence at FOAID!
