Roca One Day Design challenge celebrates young Omani talent

The second edition of Roca’s One Day Design Challenge announced Mohammed Al Balushi as the winner

MUSCAT: Featuring over 120 talented participants from across the nation, the second edition of Roca’s One Day Design Challenge (ODDC) has announced Mohammed Al Balushi the winner.

Submitting his project ‘Hamam’ on behalf of the German University of Technology in Oman at the KR Infra Gala Campus, Mohammad’s concept was delivered amidst fierce competition under a tight nine hour submission deadline, earning the prize of OMR600.

The member of the jury Mr Masood Raza highlighted: “The jury was impressed by the simplicity of the design and the clarity of focus in meeting the needs of less mobile patients. The design addresses the first needs and improves the life of patients while addressing the privacy concerns.”

ODDC poses an attractive challenge for young designers and architects, pushing local talent as they race against the clock to submit innovative concepts inline with Roca’s bathroom product range. The brief sought designs that would improve the experience of hospital patients with reduced mobility to improve their quality of life with adequate privacy.

Expressing his delight at the output of local talent, M.G. Chengappa, Chief Operations Officer at Khimji Ramdas Infra, said: “We are delighted to partner with ROCA in a platform crafted for budding architects and designers. Enabling local talent to enhance their learning is important to the KR Group and a sturdy area of investment for us. ODDC not only delivers a unique learning experience but also provides students and professionals an exciting opportunity to challenge themselves as they work to reach greater heights, with the added bonus of some excellent prizes for just one day’s work”.

Second prize was awarded to Ibtihaj Al Hatmi for the ‘Smart Product’ project, earning the designer OMR400. Ar. Soumitra Chatterjee, a member of the Judging Panel, commented: “The design offers a high quality solution to patients’ use of the WC area and reflects our brief to improve their experience comprehensively.”

Walaa Al Balushi of Corduff Oman scooped third prize taking OMR200 for a project entitled ‘Gentle’. Ar. Hilal Al Balushi, an adjudicator for the competition, said” “Walaa’s design was outstanding and combines facilities to help patients cater to themselves, providing greater privacy, comfort, and self-sufficiency.”

In a commitment to innovative design, Roca organises the contest with the aim of supporting young talent in the early stages of their professional careers. The company took the platform global in 2015 to provide a space for designers and architects to develop their creativity and gain experience, in addition to exposure for the winning projects.

This year, the competition has grown internationally and entered four new markets, notably Portugal, Russia, Oman, United Kingdom and China. Joined by Brazil, Singapore, Poland, and Bulgaria, who also hosted the first edition of Roca’s One Day Design Challenge, the United Arab Emirates and Hong Kong recently celebrated their third and fourth editions respectively. Spain, the cradle of the Roca One Day Design Challenge, however, recently celebrated its 7th edition.

One Day Design Challenge is an annual design competition that takes place in various cities worldwide. Students and professionals under the age of 30 in the fields of design and architecture are challenged to create original and innovative concepts in-line with the companies bathroom product range.

With the high-pressure requirement of submission in just nine hours, the company aims to promote young talent by providing them with exposure, including their evaluation by a judging panel from the same country.

Roca is a company engaged in the design, production, and commercialization of bathroom products, including a range of ceramic floor and wall tiles used in architects and interior designers. Over 100 years have passed following Roca’s formation, which now employs over 23,600 workers at 78 production plants in 170 markets worldwide.