From blueprints to brilliance; Decowood Veneers celebrates women in architecture with Design Divas

In the broader canvas of societal evolution, women have emerged as architects of change, transcending traditional roles. This metamorphosis finds a striking reflection in the field of architecture, where women professionals are not just contributors but visionaries, shaping spaces and narratives with unparalleled finesse. Decowood Veneers from the house of Greenlam Industries Limited with its 5th edition of ‘Design Divas’ not only celebrated the artistry of interior design but became a stage for acknowledging the pivotal role women play in crafting the very fabric of architectural practices. From challenging conventions to setting new benchmarks, these women are not just architects, they are the storytellers of our spatial evolution.

The highlight of the evening was an informative panel discussion titled ‘Architecture & Women: Exploring the Role of Women in Architectural Practices’. The panel featured luminaries such as Mr. Alan Abraham, Joint Principal Architect at Abraham John Architects; Mr. Martand Khosla, Co-founder of Romi Khosla Design Studios; Ms. Iram Sultan, Founder of Eponymous Design Firm; Ms. Gayathri Shetty, Founder of Gayathri Namith & Associates, and Mr. Saurabh Mittal, MD & CEO of Greenlam Industries Ltd. Moderating this was Ms. Shweta Kaw, the Principal Architect at Studio Meraki.

The selection process unfolded with architects and interior designers creating 3D designs for interior spaces using Decowood Veneers. The top 100 winners emerged as epitomes of ingenuity, selected based on criteria that encapsulated a blend of creativity, technical finesse and an avant-garde approach to spatial design. 

The event consisted of 20 distinguished individuals from each region (North, West, East, South), 10 winners from the previous year’s Season 5 Prelude and an exclusive ensemble of 10 Wild Card entries for the current season. In the ensuing round, these 100 accomplished individuals created yet another set of interior design masterpieces, that responded to new and stimulating topics.

The crescendo arrived with the revelation of the top 10 extraordinary talents — Kavita Batra, Urvi Choksi, Arushi Bansal, Shabnam Alam, Aarthi Sijjanth, Shabana Nufail, Hanna Hakeem, Vijaya Bhargava, Gauri Argade and Hemal Shah. From these accomplished individuals, Shabana Nufail, Urvi Choksi and Shabnam Alam were crowned as the visionaries, receiving well-deserved accolades and reverence in the industry spotlight.

The event is dedicated towards acknowledging the remarkable achievements of women in design and architecture, paving the way for participants to consistently transform ideas into reality. It encourages women architects to challenge conventions and set new benchmarks in the days ahead.

Know more about Design Divas here