Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET) student Mahdia Rahman has made Bangladesh proud by winning the Judges’ Choice Award in the Interior Design category at the AYDA Awards 2024 global finale held in Tokyo, Japan.
Organised by Nippon Paint under its global CSR initiative, the 17th AYDA Awards showcased over 8,000 submissions from young designers across 16 countries, all centered around the theme: “CONVERGE: Glocal Design Solutions.” The competition challenged students to design solutions that respond to local issues while maintaining global relevance especially in terms of social, environmental, and urban sustainability.
Mahdia Rahman Redesigned the Future of Tea Stall for Single Mothers
Mahdia Rahman’s award-winning project, “Stories Unfold: The Tale of a Single Mother,” reimagines the everyday Bangladeshi tea stall into a safe, multifunctional workspace tailored for single mothers. It offers them a place to work and simultaneously care for their children, combining compassion with function in urban design.
Her concept highlights the often overlooked struggles of single mothers in urban settings, aiming to provide harassment-free, secure spaces that support both livelihood and childcare. The project deeply resonated with the jury, aligning perfectly with AYDA’s vision of design as a catalyst for meaningful change.
This year’s AYDA Awards also celebrated other Bangladeshi talents, with Md Munsurun Nabi winning in the Architecture category at the national level. Both Mahdia and Munsurun represented Bangladesh at the international round, showcasing the country’s rising status in global design innovation.
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“We are immensely proud of Mahdia Rahman, who has represented Bangladesh with creativity and compassion,” said Robin Miah, Marketing Manager of Nippon Paint Bangladesh. “The AYDA Awards recognises design as a tool for change and Mahdia’s project exemplifies that spirit.”
While Mahdia received the Judges Choice Award and $500 in prize money, the top honours the AYDA Designer of the Year titles went to:
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Mike Huang from China for his architecture project “18+1 Sewing Plan”
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Adelia Meysa from Indonesia for her interior design piece “Mayangan Teh”
Both grand winners earned fully funded placements at the Harvard Graduate School of Design’s Discovery Program, valued at up to USD 10,000.
About AYDA Awards
Formerly known as the Asia Young Designer Awards, the AYDA Awards continues to be a no-entry-fee platform committed to nurturing future design leaders. The initiative promotes:
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Mentorship from global industry experts
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Cross-border collaboration
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Real-world impact through design thinking
Now in its 17th year, AYDA remains a launchpad for young architects and interior designers who dare to create a better, more inclusive world.
Her journey inspires other young creatives across Bangladesh and beyond to use their skills for social transformation and proving that thoughtful, local design solutions can indeed gain global recognition.
Mahdia Rahman’s success at AYDA 2024 is a proud moment for Bangladesh’s academic and creative communities. Her innovative concept brings attention to real-world issues while showcasing the potential of design as a medium for social justice.
As the AYDA Awards continue to empower new voices, Mahdia’s win will undoubtedly serve as a beacon for future generations of Bangladeshi designers aiming to create inclusive, impactful solutions that resonate across borders.
