The prestigious AD New Wave Awards 2026 were presented on 14 May 2026 in Bengaluru, celebrating emerging talents in the fields of architecture, interiors and design. The winners were selected by four distinguished juries comprising leaders from top agencies, brands and production companies. Over three weeks in February, followed by four discussion sessions in March, the juries carefully evaluated the entries before finalizing an impressive list of winners.
This year, AD New Wave 2026 recognized 25 emerging Indian design practices whose work seamlessly moves across disciplines, scales and material languages.
Bringing pride to Northeast India, two design firms from Nagaland — Urra Enterprise and TRIBOLT — were among the award recipients.
For Aku Zeliang, founder of Urra Enterprise, craft is deeply connected with community, ecology and cultural memory. Since establishing the firm in Nagaland in 2014, Zeliang has developed a design practice that integrates indigenous materials and artisan knowledge from Northeast India into contemporary furniture and spatial design.
Working extensively with bamboo, cane and regional weaving traditions, Urra Enterprise approaches sustainability not only through material choices but also through long-term collaborations that support local livelihoods and preserve traditional craftsmanship. Collections such as Tekirak, which transform wild bamboo and rattan into sculptural collectible pieces, reflect a design philosophy that balances vernacular craft traditions with contemporary aesthetics rooted in research, storytelling and material experimentation.
Speaking after receiving the award, Aku Zeliang said: “Receiving the Architectural Digest New Wave recognition is a big moment for our firm and for the growing design footprint of Northeast India. This recognition for a Nagaland-based multidisciplinary architecture and interior design studio is a testimony to the creative voices emerging from the region onto a larger national platform.
Our approach has always been deeply rooted in the culture, materials, craftsmanship and the incredible work of Northeastern artisans, while creating spaces that feel honest, contemporary and timeless. Above all, this recognition reflects the trust our clients, collaborators and community have placed in us over the years.