“You can dream, create, design, and build the most wonderful place in the world. But it requires people to make the dream a reality.” These words by Walt Disney embodied the spirit of the ‘Oscars of the design and building industry’.Indeed, no pandemic or lockdown could stop the architect and builder fraternity from coming together! On Friday, August 28, 2020, the 15th CONSTRUCTION WORLD Architect & Builder Awards (CWAB) – ONLINE Awards, held for the first time virtually, honoured over 40 winners across the categories of India’s Top Builders and Top Architects; Regional Top Architects, Top Builders and Top Interior Designers; and Noteworthy Projects.As Falguni Padode, Co-Founder & Group Managing Editor, ASAPP Info Global Group, said in her opening remarks, “In these pandemic times, the whole world has re-configured itself, and so have we. A huge amount of logistical jugglery has been at play for this event. To reach the trophies to our winners before the event, so they could participate with their trophies today, has been quite a feat. Our starry networking evenings have taken the form of this fabulous virtual event today.”Fifteen years ago, the CWAB Awards were initiated to recognise and award excellence in the design and building community. This year, once again, we celebrated design excellence with a unique theme – FuSion (Futuristic Vision): To plan, design and build structures that are 'future-ready' with the apt use of 'innovative materials, techniques, approach and amenities', with the 'vision to sustain, enhance efficiency, improve performance and save costs'.Selecting the winnersCWAB began as a perception-based survey, which was put to a vote by industry professionals. Then, shortlisted entries were vetted by an august jury that awarded India’s Top Architects and Builders. As Falguni Padode said, “In 2016, our 11th year, we invited entries into the Noteworthy Projects category; and in 2018, we invited entries in the Regional category, where an architect, builder and interior designer were awarded from each of the four regions of the country. Since then, the model morphed from a perception-based survey into an invitation and nomination-based one. So the winners here have sent us their work and have chosen to partner with us in our quest to recognise excellence. Nominations were shortlisted and presented to the jury. There was one jury for the Top Architects and Builders category and the Regionals category.” For the Noteworthy Projects category, she added that CWAB invited entries in six categories: Residential (Independent Homes and Buildings); Commercial; Hospitality; Retail; Institutional; and Interiors. “Within Interiors, we have again awarded projects in the Residential, Commercial, Retail, Institutional and Hospitality categories. These were judged by another jury, also online.” She went on to add, “Even in these times, we have received 816 nominations this year across all categories!”FIRST Construction Council, a non-profit trust and infrastructure thinktank set up in 2003, has been working with CW to facilitate such awards and recognition for the industry.Distinguished speakersIn his welcome address, Pratap Padode, Founder & President, FIRST Construction Council, highlighted the distinguishing features of the winners, saying: “A brand that commands trust, quality, design and value is the brand to aspire to be.” And on the need to encourage digital technologies in building design and construction, he emphasised, “Indian private companies are spearheading the BIM adoption revolution but it is mostly being used for overseas clients.” (Read his full speech in the pages to follow.)During these times of COVID-19, Chief Guest Shri Bhagat Singh Koshyari, Governor of Maharashtra, and Governor of Goa, in his keynote address, congratulated CONSTRUCTION WORLD for conducting this virtual event. He said, “This event is quite useful, and I hope that post this event, the construction group, all architects and those concerned will hopefully give a new initiative to the Indian construction industry.” (Read his full speech in the pages to follow.)Guest of Honour Shri Ved Parkash Dudeja, Vice-Chairman, Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA), thanked ASAPP Info Global Group for giving him the opportunity to interact with some of the brightest minds in India. “The CWAB Awards have emerged as a flagship event and a one-stop platform for the construction and architecture industry for the past 14 years,” he said. “This event is an opportunity for developers, investors, consumers and the real estate eco-system. It provides greater prospect for them to converge on a common platform and it recognises their exemplary contribution in building a futuristic India.” He further added that real-estate players and leading architects have a great responsibility in shaping India’s development story. (Read his full speech in the pages to follow.)In the winners’ words“The whole world has virtually stopped, but FIRST Construction Council’s CWAB awards and functions are still going on!” remarked renowned Architect and Padma Bhushan awardee Hafeez Contractor. “I really congratulate you and thank you for the positive work you are doing for our building industry.”Dr Niranjan Hiranandani, Founder & Managing Director, Hiranandani Group, too, thanked CONSTRUCTION WORLD for once again recognising his firm among India’s Top Builders 2020. “Even in these COVID times, it is wonderful to know that CONSTRUCTION WORLD continues to hold award ceremonies. The COVID situation is difficult and yet many of us can continue with construction activities even in this difficult time. Thank you, CONSTRUCTION WORLD, for recognising this activity of the construction industry, the developers and the building industry.”“It is great that technology has progressed to a point that allows us to congregate in the virtual space this evening to celebrate this grand occasion,” added SP Patki, Principal Architect, PG Patki Architects. “Coming especially in these trying times, this award, which is the most coveted in the construction industry, is certainly an immense morale booster to us. I express my gratitude for recognising our talent and our contribution to quality architecture.”Partners, panellists and more..The CWAB Awards 2020 was powered by BKT (Balkrishna Industries); Gold Partner KONE Elevators; Silver Partner Katerra; and Design Dialogue Partner Orientbell Tiles.What’s more, the virtual event also witnessed the unveiling of the 15th CWAB SPECIAL ISSUE that features all the winners, jury, noteworthy projects, and images for the past 15 years: over 50 winners across all categories, over 100 jury members, over 36 noteworthy projects, and over 28 regional award winners over the years!Part of the glamorous event was a power-packed CW virtual panel discussion on the subject: ‘How Will Real Estate Grow despite COVID-19?’ Moderated by Shriyal Sethumadhavan, Features Editor, CW, the esteemed panellists included Harshavardhan Neotia, Chairman, Ambuja Neotia Group; JC Sharma, Vice-Chairman & Managing Director, Sobha; Ar Manit Rastogi, Founding Partner, Morphogenesis; Mohit Malhotra, Managing Director & CEO, Godrej Properties; Niranjan Hiranandani, Founder & Managing Director, Hiranandani Constructions; and Ar Rahul Kadri, Principal Architect, IMK Architects.Read on to know more about our winning architects, builders and projects....