@ Vikash Sharma | Sr Journalist
New Delhi: Based on the success of previous events, THE WADE ASIA continues to grow in scale and influence. The 2023 event spanned 300,000 square feet and attracted over 45,000 visitors from more than 600 towns and cities across India. This year’s edition promises to build on that momentum, serving as a crucial platform for connecting architects, designers, and industry professionals with leading brands and companies, facilitating innovation, collaboration, and partnership.
Some of the past awardees include the doyens of Indian Architecture and Design landscape such as Didi Contractor, Ar. Namita Singh, Ar Revathi Kamath, Ar Sheila Sri Prakash, Ar Chitra Vishwanath, Ar Neelam Manjunath among others. These accolades reflect THE WADE ASIA’s commitment to excellence and its role in driving meaningful change within the industry.
Key features of THE WADE ASIA 2024 included “Design Galore” which presents stunning installations and sculptures from both seasoned and emerging designers, celebrating creative expression at its finest. The “Sustainable Design Workshop” focus on the versatility of bamboo, highlighting sustainable practices that are crucial to the industry’s future.
According to Verticaa Dvivedi, Founder of the event, “THE WADE ASIA 2024 is set to be a landmark event in the architecture and design sectors, bringing together industry leaders, innovators, and visionaries to explore the future of design. This year’s event is designed to inspire and engage participants, fostering discussions that extend beyond the event and influence global conversations on diversity, sustainability, and technological advancements.”
MS Abha Narain Lambah, is awarded as the Wade Asia Sustainability Champion of the year 2024. According to Ms. Abha Narain Lambah, Indian conservation architect, “I had worked for various world heritage sites all around the globe. It has been a long journey to work for an architectural conservation building restoration and retrofit etc. I believe conservation is not only about monuments, it is about people, there culture and beliefs.
One of the key highlights of THE WADE ASIA 2024 is its focus on recognizing and celebrating women in design. Witness 250+ LIVE Jury Presentations by India’s Top Architecture Firms. Prestigious awards such as the THE WADE ASIA Lifetime Achievement Award, THE WADE ASIA Sustainability Champion of the Year, Young Architect of the Year and Young Interior Designer of the Year will be presented besides many others, showcasing emerging talents and setting new industry benchmarks.
On Day 1, August 23, the discussion begins with a panel on the “Business of Design: Acquiring and Retaining Clients, Management & Execution,” featuring prominent architects such as Ar Manish Banker, Ar Harkaran Boparai, Dr. Oscar Concessao, Ar Gunjan Das, and Ar Sanjay Bhardwaj, moderated by Ar Madhav Raman. The second panel, “Building Lives and Projects Together: The Perfect Design Pair,” will explore architectural partnerships with contributions from Ar Prashant Sutaria, Ar Hemanti Sutaria, Ar Anjali Lovekar, Ar Ashwin Lovekar, Ar Rinki Kotak, Ar Mihir Kotak, Ar Lijo Jose, and Ar Reny Lijo, moderated by Ms. Preeti Singh.
On Day 2, August 24, a “Masterclass with Mentors” feature industry leaders such as Ar Aishwarya Tipnis, Ar Priyanka Mehra, Ms. Shaon Sikta Sengupta, Ar Anupama Sharma, and Ms. Sabeena Khanna, moderated by Ms. Supriya Thyagarajan. The final panel, “The Creation of Modern Facades – Innovation, Materials and Technology,” will delve into the latest trends in facade design, with insights from Ar Gurpreet S. Shah, Ar Priyanka Arjun, Mr. Jitesh Donga, Ar Badrinath Kaleru, Ar Sushant Verma, and Mr. Mayank Jain, moderated by Ar Vivek Gupta.
Another event that conducted today concurrently with THE WADE ASIA 2024 is The India Furniture Conclave (IFC) 2024 which will be running until 24th, 2024. This event has united top professionals from the furniture and interior design fields. The IFC addressed crucial topics such as making it big in the furniture and interior business, overcoming industry challenges, and exploring emerging opportunities in interior spaces.
