The theory of spatial design focuses on the entire experience of the built environment – how the structures and interiors can affect how people move and interact within spaces.
In the hands of a thoughtful designer, colour becomes functional and driven with a purpose.
It can transform a cold expanse into a place of warmth, or enlarge a space to increase feelings of comfort.
A muted palette can calm the soul; a bold splash of vermilion can provoke thought or stir joy.
It is this transformative essence of colour that Nippon Paint seeks to honour through the Creative Colour Awards (CCA) 2025, a global celebration of expression and purpose in spatial design.
Now in its third year, CCA continues to spotlight architects and interior designers who dare to dream in colour and understand that the right palette has the power to shape how we live, feel, and connect.
Rooted in Nippon Paint’s unwavering vision to elevate the role of colour in architecture and interior design, CCA stands as a tribute to the creative, innovative, and purposeful use of colour and coatings in shaping meaningful spaces.
CCA seeks to spotlight standout talents in the field and connect them to other global industry leaders, fostering a vibrant community that values colour not only as a visual medium but as a vehicle for cultural storytelling and human connection.
This year, CCA received 188 submissions from across 10 countries and regions, demonstrating how colour can transcend borders and transform the built environment with purpose and imagination.
Free for all to enter, interior and exterior paint finishes of any projects that span public spaces or indoor environments are judged based on colour delivery, involvement of colour in the design process, the social or environmental integration, and the visual impact of the storytelling.
At the grand finale of the Creative Colour Awards (CCA) 2025 held in Tokyo, Japan, Nadun S. Saputhantri from Sri Lanka bagged the Architectural Best in Corporate And Commercial Exterior award for the Nosh77 Container Restaurant, integrating a palette of grey-green and brown-orange hues with recycled construction materials to camouflage the building with the surrounding vegetation and create harmony with nature.
Honouring the Universal Language of Colours
At its heart, CCA is a reflection of Nippon Paint’s belief in the influence colour wields in shaping environments, evoking emotion and enhancing the quality of life for communities.
Through this initiative, Nippon Paint affirms its steadfast commitment to elevating colour beyond decoration, redefining it as an essential element in purposeful and sustainable design.
Nippon Paint further embodies this belief through their Colouring Lives social responsibility initiative, where they reinvigorated a popular tourist destination in Pakistan by working together with locals to paint eco-friendly murals across the town of Changla Gali.
In Vietnam, Nippon Paint partnered with the Hope Foundation on the School Light Project to paint and rebuild 10 schools across four provinces, breathing a new coat of hope into better and improved learning environments for the students.
“More than just a celebration of aesthetic brilliance, CCA seeks to highlight the homegrown architects and designers who harness the transformative potential of colour through coatings to breathe life and soul into spaces.
We want to provide a platform for industry professionals to experiment and innovate, and continue tapping into their creativity to create environments that benefit communities.
We would like to congratulate this year’s winners for delivering thoughtful and impactful designs that balance beauty and sustainability,” said Mark Titus, Vice President of Marketing for Nippon Paint India and Group Marketing Lead for The NIPSEA Group.
“As a first-time jury member, I was truly impressed by the creativity and passion on display.
What stood out to me was how colour continues to serve as a compelling design language, delivering not just visual impact but also functioning as a powerful medium for storytelling and emotional resonance,” said Hiroko Machida, Principal of Hiroko Academy and jury of CCA 2025.
“This year’s participants truly exemplified the heart of what CCA stands for, which is that design can be both beautiful, purposeful, and deeply human, all at the same time.”
Francesca Heathcote Sapey, Partner, Teresa Sapey + Partners, and returning jury commented,
“It has been rewarding to see how CCA continues to gain recognition within the design community, evolving into a celebrated space where the language of colour takes centre stage.
The platform has become an impressive showcase of how colour can influence perception and evoke emotion, especially when used with intention to enhance both concept and experience.”
The awards ceremony was held in tandem with the AYDA Awards finale, a flagship event in the world of architecture and interior design that champions the brightest emerging talents.
Since its inception, AYDA has welcomed more than 67,000 entries from over 1,600 tertiary institutions across 20 countries and regions, establishing itself as a beacon for future-forward design.
To revisit the splendour of the 2024/2025 celebration and witness the brilliance of the finalists’ design presentation, view the International Finale Awards Ceremony on YouTube.
For more information on how to participate in the AYDA and CCA Awards, visit www.ayda-awards.com & www.creativecolourawards.com or their social pages : AYDA’s Instagram Page , LinkedIn Page, YouTube Page & CCA’s Instagram Page , LinkedIn Page.
About Creative Colour Awards
The Creative Colour Awards recognises colour excellence in works of spatial designers and space owners around the world – celebrating outstanding and innovative use of colours through coatings in commercial, residential and public spaces.
By curating and putting together a collection of brilliantly designed spaces with colour as the core design language, the annual colour competition will elevate the importance of colours in paints and coatings amongst industry experts.
About AYDA Awards
The AYDA Awards, formerly known as the Asia Young Designer Awards, initiated in 2008 by Nippon Paint, aims to cultivate the next generation of Architectural and Interior Design talents globally.
With over 59,000 entries from 1,200 tertiary institutions across 20 countries and regions, it stands as a premier design accolade that is recognised across the globe.
AYDA facilitates cross-learning, networking, and mentorship among students and industry leaders.
Through workshops, coaching sessions, and interactions with renowned figures, participants gain invaluable insights and skills.
The platform fosters a tight-knit design community, uniting professionals, associations, schools, and students.
AYDA continually challenges young designers to push their creative boundaries, offering transformative experiences and unparalleled opportunities for growth.
About NIPSEA Group (Subsidiary of Nippon Paint Holdings Co.)
NIPSEA Group is a global leader, providing innovative solutions in the paint and coatings industry.
Headquartered in Singapore, with 147 NIPSEA companies spread throughout 28 geographical locations, the group is Asia Pacific’s No. 1 paint and coatings manufacturer in both production and sales revenue.
After more than 60 years of growth, NIPSEA Group has over 29,000 employees with 121 manufacturing facilities and operations, efficiently serving all aspects of the business, from production to customer satisfaction.
With a focus on maximising value to our customers, we push boundaries to deliver high quality solutions that work better for all our partners, tradesmen, and homeowners.
The NIPSEA Group’s arsenal of solutions for the industry covers Architectural, Industrial, Automotive and Marine Coatings, as well as a range of products beyond the world of paint and coatings.
We have an unyielding drive to focus on customers, providing innovation that works best for all our stakeholders.
More information about NIPSEA Group https://nipsea.group/