Date: September 26, 2024
No fewer than 10 individuals and businesses have won the 2024 Global Recognition Award for excellence and achievement in areas such as leadership, service, research, innovation, teaching, mentoring, or artistic accomplishment.
The Global Recognition Awards are one of the most esteemed business award programs in the world, honoring extraordinary accomplishments in entrepreneurship, innovation, and corporate social responsibility. Ranked by Forbes as one of the top 10 business award competitions globally, it gives individuals and companies the opportunity to be recognized for their exceptional work.
Among this year's individual awardees were Smart Construction chief engineer Vasilii Maslov, entrepreneur Pierre Subeh, AWS senior data engineer Nithin Desani, MassWork founder Dalton Wong, cybersecurity expert Sailesh Oduri, utility sector innovator Abdullah Al-Sadi, Welspun Tubular senior production planning and tooling engineer Dipak Banerjee, and Zenwork vice president of sales Brittany Scott.
These individuals make up only about 120 recipients of the prestigious Global Recognition Awards from the over 12,000 entries so far shortlisted since the inception of the award program about five years ago. This is due to a very selective process involved in choosing awardees, where only the best of the best in their field are chosen to receive the award, which uses a grading system from 1 to 5, where 1 is graded as minimal and 5 is graded as exceptional or world-class.
The awardees were selected by a prestigious panel of judges made up of top industry professionals. Figures like Guirang Zhang, CEO of Henan Shunxiang Construction Subcontracting Co., and Anthony Spon-Smith, Creative Director of Coco Republic, are just a few examples of the high-caliber individuals on the panel.
Maslov, a figure who has played an important role in shaping some of Russia’s most significant construction projects, received the award for his outstanding contributions to the field. His journey started in his hometown, where he worked his way from an average designer to the head of a small design firm. His architectural skills soon attracted attention, leading to an invitation to work with a leading company in Moscow, specializing in the design of medical facilities. Over the years, his contributions to Russia’s infrastructure included the design and construction of vital medical centers, many of which were completed under the auspices of the ministry of health. These projects did not only serve their purpose but were also acclaimed for their architectural ingenuity, combining functionality with beauty.
“Vasilii Maslov's recognition with a 2024 Global Recognition Award reflects his exceptional contributions to the construction industry,” according to the organizers of the award. “His journey from entry-level positions to managing large-scale projects showcases his dedication, expertise, and leadership skills, which have significantly impacted the successful execution of complex construction projects.”
Maslov’s most recent and noteworthy achievement has been his role in the construction of the Sberbank Mega Data Center, the largest data processing center in Russia. As the chief engineer of Smart Construction, the contractor handling the project, he oversaw the planning of this monumental complex, a colossal marriage of architectural imagination and engineering exactitude. He has successfully overseen the completion of the first phase of a 30 MW power facility for the data center, with two more phases still under construction. When completed, it will have a total of 82 MW and a supercomputer, as well as boost regional development of the Saratov region and computing power in the country.
Sberbank Mega Data Center is not just a working computer center but a monument of modern design, with sustainable and innovative architectural features that will see it serve as both a paragon of data infrastructure and of architecture for future generations.
Given his expertise in both design and large-scale infrastructure projects, it is no surprise that Maslov's work has garnered national and international recognition. His contributions to architecture and construction extend beyond aesthetics—they influence the very infrastructure that supports Russia’s economy and its technological advancements. Maslov himself notes, “I’ve worked hard; I put a lot of hard work into my projects, and I’m glad it’s appreciated.”
The architectural significance of Maslov’s projects, particularly the Sberbank Mega Data Center, is what makes his recognition with the Global Recognition Award 2024 especially relevant to the architectural community. This data center, while focused on advanced technological infrastructure, showcases the importance of design in ensuring that large-scale projects not only function efficiently but also contribute to the built environment in meaningful ways.
Moreover, the award recognizes professionals who demonstrate an exceptional ability to foresee and mitigate challenges throughout the entire project lifecycle—qualities that are essential in both architecture and construction. As highlighted by the Global Recognition Awards jury, “His expertise in interacting with interested companies at all project stages, from initial design to final operation approval, has been pivotal.”
Maslov’s work continues to set benchmarks in Russia’s construction industry, where the design of socially important infrastructure, such as medical centers and data processing facilities, requires a blend of architectural vision and engineering acumen. His journey from a local designer to a national leader in design and construction is an inspiring example of how dedication to one’s craft can impact the built environment and elevate the standards of an entire industry. His recognition on a global stage reinforces the importance of integrating innovative design in the creation of infrastructure that both serves practical needs and showcases architectural excellence.
