The inaugural AYDA Awards Egypt recently concluded with the Grand Jury sessions in Cairo, introducing a new platform for young designers across the country. Launched in January at The Greek Campus in Downtown Cairo, the competition invited students of Architecture and Interior Design from Egyptian universities to explore the interplay between cultural heritage and contemporary innovation.

Under the 2025 theme, 'Converge: Crafting Cultural Legacies', participants were challenged to reflect on how local cultures can integrate with global design influences, and how architects might shape communities through thoughtful, culturally grounded interventions.

50 architecture and 50 interior design students were selected to develop their ideas under the mentorship of leading Egyptian practitioners and academics. The mentorship process, spanning spring and summer, was a critical phase: it allowed participants to refine not only their concepts but also the spatial, functional, and material rigour of their projects. “To create something impactful, you really need to understand the design brief,” said Mohamed Radwan, Managing Director of Kairos CDC. “That’s what allows you to move beyond familiar approaches and into more innovative, relevant solutions.”

The Grand Jury assessed each submission against six criteria: Design Concept, Functionality & Relevance, Innovation, Sustainability, Aesthetics & Visual Impact, and Delivery & Presence. Comprising architects, designers, and academics, the panel engaged with the work through live presentations, providing an intensive evaluation of both conceptual clarity and architectural execution. Radwan reflected on the process: “Working with the students was inspiring. Across every phase, we saw real innovation and dedication, and that commitment was evident in the work they produced.” The projects reflected awareness of context and community, affirming the importance of cultural sensitivity in contemporary practice.

The Gold Winners will represent Egypt at the AYDA International Awards in Malaysia, with the opportunity to participate in Harvard Graduate School of Design’s Design Discovery Program. Yet for Radwan, the value of the experience lies in more than prizes: “The journey is always more important than the outcome. What matters most is the chance to engage, to experiment, and to learn something new.”