Two National University architecture students are named finalists in the Asia Young Designers Award (AYDA) 2016.

NU Archi studes Rebecca Plaza and Marchie Teodoro Borja bested around 212 entries from all over the country to make it to the top 10.

With its theme, “Be Bold, Be Free, Be You”, Nippon Paint Philippines aims to look for some of the best and brightest architectural ideas that can be useful to the community.

Plaza, named her work “Project NOAH”, which is a penal colony and drug rehab center with farming components and eco-tourism features, while Borja designed “The Vessel”, a one-structure building that can be used as a post-apocalypse shelter.

The architectural designs will be judged by the following criteria; Green Design Elements (30%), Colour Concept (25%), Design Innovation (25%) and Design Statement (20%).

According to College of Architecture Dean Chona Ponce, the inclusion of NU students in the top 10 is a good thing not just for the students but also for the entire NU community.

“This is a national competition and it shows what the students are capable of doing. They (students) have to learn how to compete because it gives them maturity, and ‘yung confidence nila it really shows. I think it is personality-building more than just the designs and skills that the students are showcasing.” Dean Ponce said.

AYDA started in 2008 and whoever wins in the Philippines will compete against 13 other countries such as Singapore, Bangladesh, Thailand, Pakistan, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Vietnam, China, Japan, Hong Kong, Sri Lanka, India and Taiwan.

This year’s winner will receive P50,000 cash and an internship program at Lor Calma & Partners and Aidea, Inc.

Winning entry will be announced on November 24 at Garden Ballroom Hall, EDSA ShangRi-La Hotel, Mandaluyong City.