Asem Bhakta
Special Correspondent North East
SEOUL: In a landmark moment for Indian architecture, Babina Wellness Centre, envisioned and brought to life by Huidrom Design Studio (Manipur, India), has been crowned the Best Civic Building Architecture Design at the Asia Architecture Design Awards (AADA) 2025. The award ceremony, themed “Vibrant Asia”, was held at the illustrious Shilla Hotel in Seoul, blending heritage with cutting-edge design, an apt venue for a visionary winner.
A SANCTUARY OF HEALING AND HARMONY, set amid the verdant landscapes of Manipur, Babina Wellness Centre is more than a civic space, it is a haven for mental well-being, offering serenity, sustainability, and cultural depth. Designed around the principles of biophilic architecture, the Centre uses local flora such as bamboo, olive, and neem, symbols of healing and spiritual calm to establish an immersive natural experience. DESIGN ROOTED IN SUSTAINABILITY, The building features: • Passive ventilation and sunlit interiors that dissolve barriers between indoors and nature. • Lightweight, sustainable materials like glass-fibre-reinforced concrete. • Advanced energy and water conservation systems. • Detailed craftsmanship inspired by indigenous traditions and biodiversity. A TRIPLE TRIUMPH FOR HUIDROM DESIGN STUDIO, this milestone marks Huidrom Design Studio’s third consecutive win at AADA, making it the first Indian architectural firm to hold three winning projects at Asia’s most prestigious design platform. Their accolades extend beyond AADA to global stages like the World Architecture Festival, IDEA Awards, iFDesign Awards, German Design Awards, and the Red Dot Design Awards. A BLUEPRINT FOR FUTURE CIVIC SPACES, Babina Wellness Centre exemplifies what civic architecture can aspire to be: a fusion of form, function, and cultural ethos. By focusing on mental wellness, environmental harmony, and community upliftment, the Centre sets a new benchmark for purpose-driven public architecture. “We envisioned a space where architecture heals – where the built environment becomes a bridge to inner peace and community resilience,” said Suresh Huidrom – Principal Designer, Huidrom Design Studio. With this resounding win, the Babina Wellness Centre proves that buildings can do more than stand tall, they can uplift, nurture, and transform entire communities.
