2024 Design Competition

ENTRANT QUALIFICATIONS:

Entrant and/or Co-Entrant must be a design professional that completed a qualifying project within the established design period (January 1, 2020 - September 20, 2024.)  

Open to NKBA Members and non-members. 

Certification is not required in order to enter.

Co-Entrants receive an award as well.

 

PROJECT CRITERIA:

Qualifying projects completed between January 1, 2020 and September 20, 2024

Past entries that were not awarded may be re-entered but must adhere to the 2024 submittal requirements.

Projects that have been awarded, outside of the NKBA Northern California Design Competition, are eligible for submittal.

 

BENEFITS:

Cash prizes and beautiful engraved trophies will be presented at the Annual Gala & Design Competition Awards event on November 7, 2024.

First Place:  $300; Second Place: $175; Third Place: $125;  Specialty Categories:  $200

Plus:  $1000 each for Judge's Choice Bathroom and Kitchen; Prizes each for People's Choice Bathroom and Kitchen

Awarded projects will be featured on The Northern California Chapter website and social media sites.

 

DEADLINES:  

Project entry deadline:  September 20, 2024 at 6:00 PM Pacific Time (Late entries OR incomplete entries will NOT be accepted) 

 

DESIGN CATEGORIES:

Standard Categories:   1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners will be selected for each of these categories:

KSM         Kitchen Small (200 sq. ft. or Less)

KMD         Kitchen Medium (201-275 sq. ft.)

KLG          Kitchen Large (276 sq. ft. or Over)

BSM         Bath Small (70 sq. ft. or Less)

BMD         Bath Medium (71-150 sq. ft)

BLG          Bath Large (151 sq. ft. or Over)

 

       Specialty Award Categories:  A single award will be given for each of these categories:

PRM          Powder Room: (Does not include tubs or showers)

LDRM       Laundry Room

KWBSP     Kitchenette, Wet Bar, or Service Pantry (Any Size)

BBAB        Best Before & After Bathroom

BBAK        Best Before & After Kitchen

 

ENTRY FEES:

Each NKBA Member Designer of Record/Entrant will pay $175 for first project and $125 for each additional project entry. Included with first entry (1) Annual Gala and Design Awards ticket at a discounted rate. In order to receive member pricing, you must show NKBA Northern California on your CPJ profile. To update your profile, click on your name in the top right corner of the platform, then click "My Account" . Then click "Members and Affiliations" and finally add NKBA Northern California. 

Each Non-Member Designer of Record/Entrant will pay $275 for first project and $225 for each additional project entry. Included with first entry (1) Annual Gala and Design Awards ticket at a discounted rate. To become an NKBA Member go to:    NKBA Membership

The Annual Gala and Design Awards event will be held on November 7, 2024.  The full price ticket TBD.  Gala tickets will be available at a later date.

All entry fees are paid online at the time of registering and are non-refundable.

 

COMPETITION PRIZES:

In addition to cash prizes, category and specialty winners will receive a beautiful award to display in their place of business. If submitting a team entry, the Designer of Record will receive a trophy and each Co-Designer can purchase an additional trophy if desired. 

Standard Categories:

- 1st Place: $300.00

- 2nd Place: $175.00

- 3rd Place: $125.00

Specialty Award Categories:

- $200.00 per Specialty Category

Judges' Choice Awards:   

          - $1,000 for Best Kitchen

          - $1,000 for Best Bathroom

 

AWARDS:

Awards will contain information taken directly from the data supplied online in the entry submission by the Designer of Record. 

• Awards will be given to the winning Designer of Record and the Co-Designer (if they pay the $85 trophy fee). Only the Designer of Record will receive the cash award.
• Be sure to proofread all Designer of Record and Co-Designer names, companies, and NKBA certifications.
• Awards engraved with the information submitted in CPJam, but deemed in need of correction/adjustment by the winner(s), will be re-made by the Design Committee. Any additional costs will be prepaid in advance by the Designer of Record.

 

COMPETITION GUIDELINES:

- The individual entrant must be the Designer of Record on each project. If the entrant is not the owner of the business that billed the project, business owner approval is required for eligibility. 

- All qualifying projects must have been completed within the established competition period:   January 1, 2020 - September 20, 2024. 

- Enter the project into the one category for which it is best suited, based on size. You may enter as many projects as you would like that fit into the eleven (11) different categories   but may only enter one project per category.

- A new entry form is required for each project submitted and is to be completed in full. Each entry requires a separate fee.

- Entries must be completed and fee paid by the close of the competition on SEPTEMBER 20, 2024,  at 6:00 PM (Pacific Time).  No refunds will be given for incomplete entries.

- All required materials must be received digitally and files labeled:

          Design Category_Project Name_Document Type     (i.e: KSM_Bay View_Drawings.pdf)

NOTE: NO IDENTIFYING INFORMATION FOR THE DESIGNER, CO-DESIGNER, CONTRACTOR, CLIENT, etc.  may be shown on any judged documents. Verify all file names have been renamed prior to uploading. 

 

ENTRY REQUIREMENT CHECKLIST: 

The following documents are to be uploaded with NO identifying information appearing anywhere on Drawings, Design Statement, Project Statement, Vendor List or in file name.

1.  Photographs:  

• Up to 10 high-resolution color photos. At least one “before” picture is required (unless the project is new construction, this should be included in your Design Statement.) 
• Professional photography is highly recommended, but not required. 
• Avoid using photos that identify the project location, clients, children, pet, or site workers.

2.  Design Statement:  

• Project Name:
1. Give your project a name, your entry will be tracked, judged and presented by that name
2. The Project Name must be noted on EVERY document submitted
3. Do not include any identifying designer, co-designer, company, contractor, or client information

• • Project Overview Statement: 
    1. 100 word maximum statement “in your own words” in a narrative essay or bulleted format. 
    2. Describe the project as you would like it to be announced at the Gala, if it is a winner.
    3. Highlight your favorite design details

• • Design Statement Narrative: 
    1. 200 to 400 word statement explaining your project in a descriptive or bulleted statement
    2. This clearly, but briefly, outlines the client needs, objectives, design philosophy, challenges, solution and special features (think of the design statement as you would your pitch to a magazine). 

3.  Drawings: 

• • MUST include the following:       
    1. 1. Before Floor Plan
       2. After Floor Plans
       3. Wall Elevations
  • Upload all drawings as one file (PDF)
  • MUST be scaled to 1/4”,  3/8”, or 1/2”
  • MUST be clearly labeled including dimensions (dimensions not required on Before Floor Plan)
  • Identifying designer, co-designer, company, contractor, or client information MUST be removed/omitted. Rename all file names prior to uploading.
  • Abide by NKBA Kitchen and Bath Planning Guidelines with Support Spaces and Accessibility, Fourth Edition. A link to the Planning Guidelines will be emailed to you after you register.

4.  Vendor/Products List:

• • List of products and manufacturers used in your project (PDF File)

4. Headshot 

• • High resolution (300 dpi)
  • For Designer of Record and each Co-Designer on the entry. 

5. Release Forms:   *SEE DOWNLOADABLE FORMS*

• • Designer of Record/Co-Designer Release Form/Client Property Release Form  (REQUIRED for each entry)
  • Photography Release Form (REQUIRED for each entry)
  • Business Release Form (REQUIRED ONLY for Designers who are NOT self-employed)

 

JUDGING: 

All judges are selected by The Northern California Chapter Design Committee, are experts in their field, and are not members of the Chapter. Judging is online via CPJam by a panel of impartial judges evaluating the entries. A point system is used for scoring. Actual scoring results will not be released. Judges reserve the option to move a project to another category if they feel it is appropriate. Judges reserve the right to determine if the category has a winning entry. There is no guarantee that each category will have a winning entry. 

      *All decisions of the judges are final*

 

Entries for all categories will be judged by the following questions. (10 points each)

 

1.   How well did the Design Statement describe the design and acknowledge any obstacles addressed?  To what degree where the wants and needs of the client met?

2.    How well does the design appropriately address practical and unique solutions for any challenges faced?

3.   How well are the Elements and Principles of Design used?  Elements:  line, form, shape, texture, pattern, color.  Principles:  balance, rhythm, scale, proportion, harmony.

4.    Do the Floor Plans and Elevations appropriately showcase the design as it was installed?

5.    To what degree were the NKBA Graphic & Presentation Standards accurately used? Dimensioned Drawings (before & after floor plans, construction changes, elevations):  

       Scale MUST be 1/4”, 3/8", 1/2”. CLEANLY & CLEARLY labeled including dimensions AND LARGE ENOUGH TO READ. 

6.    To what degree were the NKBA Kitchen & Bathroom Planning Guidelines followed? 

7.   How would you rate the visual appeal of the project? Were there any special materials used in a creative way to set if apart from other projects?  Wow Factor/visual appeal.

 

 

REASONS FOR DISQUALIFICATION:

If any materials are omitted or if required criteria are not met, the entry will be disqualified. Notification will be given prior to the awards ceremony. Entry fees will not be refunded.

Your membership in the NKBA Northern California Chapter will be verified!  Certification is not required in order to enter.  Non-members must gain membership prior to entering competition as a NKBA Member.

To become an NKBA Member go to:    NKBA MEMBERSHIP

Your submission must be received by 6:00 PM (Pacific Time) on SEPTEMBER 20, 2024, final date. Incomplete entries will be disqualified.  No refunds will be offered.

 

QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS COMPETITION:

For any and all questions about this year's design competition, send an email to:      

              lilleyyeeinteriors99@gmail.com or call/text Lilley Yee at (650) 400-4011

              mollyanne@macdesignstudio.com or call/text Mollyanne Sherman (408)394-8664