Saint-Gobain Transparence 19.0 encourages future designers

Saint-Gobain completed up Transparence 19.0, which featured creative architectural and design ideas from over 100 colleges across India.

Saint-Gobain, a global pioneer in light and sustainable building, has completed the 19th season of Transparence 19.0, India’s best architectural and interior design competition, in partnership with Ethos Empowers. Transparence 19.0 garnered over 1200 registrations and 450 submissions from 100+ colleges across the country, cementing its position as India’s premier design competition for students. Nearly 15 colleges have incorporated Transparence 19.0 into their ongoing studio program.

Participants were asked to propose new solutions for commercial districts under the topic ‘Reimagining the Central Business Districts,’ focussing on sustainability, accessibility, and community participation. Unnikrishnan AR, Managing Director of Glass, Glass Solutions, and Homes & Hospitality Businesses, Saint-Gobain India states that “For almost two decades, Transparence has been a platform that aims to showcase the brightest future talents in India’s architecture and design sector. This competition keeps the excitement alive by collaborating with leading colleges and renowned architects and designers. It is impressive to look at the students reimagine urban spaces into dynamic designs with a focus on smart technology and sustainability.  It is our constant endeavor to empower the next generation with a platform like Transparence.”

Adding further, Anand Santhanam, Executive Director – Sales and Marketing at Saint-Gobain India Pvt. Ltd. – Glass Business says, “We are happy by the innovative ideas and quality of submissions in Transparence 19.0. This year’s theme presented a unique opportunity for students to envision urban spaces. The range of designs we received showcase the next generation of architects who are not only just thinking about buildings but also about sustainability and the way green buildings shape communities. Our hearty congratulations to all the winners.”

A prestigious team of professionals, including famous architects and interior designers, participated as the grand jury for the finale. They included Ar. Gayathri Shetty, Ar. Debashish Guha, Ar. Tanuja Kanvinde, Ar. Ranjith C, Arunkumar Deivanayagam, and Ar. Sunayana Subbiah.

13 finalists in the architecture and interior design categories were chosen from regional rounds, demonstrating different and imaginative sustainable solutions to change India’s metropolitan centres. The winning list is as follows:
• Aashlesha Bhosali from the Centre for Environment Planning and Technology in Ahmedabad received the Architecture Category award.
• P. Preeti from RV College of Architecture in Bengaluru won the Interior Design category.
The winners received cash prizes worth ₹ 300,000/-.

On the fringes of Transparence, four students were chosen as winners of the Saint-Gobain Grants Program: Kapil Mahadil, Rosie Paul, Vishmitha Maben, and Joy Mondal. The initiative recognises and pays  ₹100,000/- each to recipients for implementing socially responsible design concepts.

In addition to the national competition, Transparence 19.0 featured over 30 top contestants vying for a place in the Saint-Gobain International Brief for the Architecture Student Contest (ASC) 2025 in Paris. After a thorough review by the national panel, the duo of Smriti Sharma and Harsha Verma from SPA Bhopal emerged as the victors, and they will now represent India at the international level.

As Transparence 19.0 came to an end, Saint-Gobain India Glass Business introduced the 20th edition of Transparence. The topic for Transparence 20.0, which will coincide with the company’s 25th anniversary in India, will be “India towards 2047: Crafting a New Design Vocabulary”. The edition challenges architecture and interior design students to create a modern national icon that showcases India’s cultural identity, inspires future generations, and transforms its surroundings through innovative design using light and sustainable construction techniques.

For more details, visit: https://transparence.in/.

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