The recent announcement of the Birla White Yuva Ratna has changed the lives of the winners forever. For them, it has been a moment of recognition of their talent and a boost to their future as architects.

In its search for talent in design excellence, Birla White recently floated a new design contest — Birla White Yuva Ratna Award — to encourage young architects to push the boundaries of design and creativity.

Aimed at the architecture students across India, the award called for entries in two categories — designer flooring and Glass fibre Reinforced Concrete (GRC). Birla White received an overwhelming response to the contest — 14 architecture colleges sent in 657 entries designed by 404 participants.

The contestants submitted floor designs for rooms and had the liberty to use various designs and colours. Since the designs submitted are to be translated to floorings using Birla White cement, there were no ceilings on imagination and creation of designs.

Eminent experts in the field of art and architecture judged the winners. The panel of judges comprised Mr. Y.D. Pitkar, Principal of J.J. College of Architecture; Mr. Nitin Killawala of Nitin Killawala and Associates; Ms. Varsha Desai of Dvvar Interiors and Mr Subodh Poddar, Executive Creator Director and Films Head, FCB Ulka Advertising Pvt Ltd.

In the flooring category, there were two all-India level prizes and seven first and second prizes at the state level. In the GRC category, three top prizes were announced (view all-India winning designs). Twenty-five consolation prizes were also announced. The winners received a trophy, certificate and cash reward. There was a token gift and certificate for all the participants.

The winners were felicitated at an award ceremony organised at the ITC Grand
Maratha Sheraton, Sahar, Mumbai. The Chief Guest was Mrs. Rajashree Birla and the Guest of Honour was Mr. Hafeez Contractor. Also present were Mr.Saurabh Misra, Business Head, Cement Division, Grasim; Mr. S.N. Jajoo, Executive President, Birla White and
Mr. B. C. Chattopadhyay, Sr Vice President, Marketing, Birla White.

Birla White, the whitest white cement has been associated with architects for more than a decade now. It has broken the conventional cement barrier and has developed numerous design and architectural applications for the wall and floor finishes including rugged, adventurous or subtle smooth finishes for walls and designer floorings.

Also in its portfolio is Birla White GRC — a decorative cladding material. Known for its mouldability and flexibility, Birla White GRC is a revolutionary concept and the preferred choice of architects, construction engineers, interior designers and structural consultants for building cladding panels, beautiful staircase railings, ceiling panels, columns, arches, domes, landscaping, etc.

Birla White is a medium for architects to translate their dreams to reality. The design possibilities with white cement and GRC are endless. Be it flooring or walls or landscaping, Birla White lends a touch of elegance and beauty to living spaces.

Birla White has developed in-house, several designs and patterns using white cement and GRC. This contest gave the architects of tomorrow an opportunity to come up with innovative ideas and creative designs using Birla White cement and GRC.

The award is a befitting tribute to the brightest future stars on the horizon of Indian architecture and a celebration of coming together of two generations of creativity and design.