SOMANY Ceramics has launched the SOMANY Design Excellence Awards (SDEA) 2026–27, a new architecture awards programme focused specifically on recognising architectural talent and projects emerging from India’s Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.
The initiative seeks to bring greater national visibility to architects working outside the major metropolitan centres, where significant architectural work often receives relatively limited exposure on established design platforms.
Unlike architecture awards that invite participation nationally without geographical distinction, the SOMANY Design Excellence Awards will be open exclusively to architects practising across 18 selected cities and their adjoining townships. The programme has been structured to evaluate projects within their regional context, taking into account factors such as climate, materials, construction practices and community requirements.
An independent 18-member jury, comprising one practising architect from each participating city, has been constituted for the awards. The jury recently finalised the award categories, evaluation criteria and assessment methodology.
Projects will be evaluated against defined parameters including design originality, contextual relevance, innovation, sustainability and overall impact.
“Architecture across India’s Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities is addressing some of the country’s most complex design challenges, yet much of this work remains outside the national spotlight,” said Abhishek Somany, Managing Director & CEO, SOMANY Ceramics Ltd.
“The SOMANY Design Excellence Awards have been created to change that. By bringing together an independent jury representing these cities, we are establishing a platform that recognises excellence within its own regional context while setting a benchmark for credibility and transparency,” he added.
Eight Award Categories
The SOMANY Design Excellence Awards 2026–27 will recognise architectural work and professional achievement across eight categories:
- Emerging Architect of the Year
- Women in Architectural Leadership
- Commercial Excellence
- Institutional Excellence
- Residential Excellence
- Adaptive Reuse & Heritage Reinterpretation
- Community & Cultural Impact
- Lifetime Achievement Award
These categories have been structured to give weight to regional impact, contextual relevance and architectural innovation. The Lifetime Achievement Award will be decided through jury nomination.
The regional focus is significant at a time when construction and development activity is expanding across India’s smaller cities, creating opportunities for architectural practices responding to local lifestyles, climatic conditions, materials and changing aspirations.
For SOMANY Ceramics, the awards also extend its engagement with India’s architecture and design community. The company said the initiative is intended not only to recognise projects but also to encourage dialogue, knowledge sharing and regional design leadership.
Nominations for the SOMANY Design Excellence Awards 2026–27 open on 15 August 2026. Entries can be submitted through the awards section of the SOMANY Ceramics website.
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