2025 Student Design Competition

ABOUT

This award is in honor of Clarellen Adams who was a champion of the interior design community. Her legacy to the profession was her dedication to helping student designers and the founding of The Showplace in 1971 with her husband Henry, later renamed the San Francisco Design Center. 

 

AWARD CATEGORIES

There are four awards categories: 

• Mood Board Charette Kitchen Design - Create a mood board consistent with the style of the home, and fulfills the clients’ wishes. Award: $150, and announcement on Northern California NKBA Chapter website and social media postings.

• Mood Board Charette Bath Design - Create a mood board consistent with the style of the home, and fulfills the clients’ wishes. Award: $150, and announcement on Northern California NKBA Chapter website and social media postings.

• Full Charette Kitchen Design Competition - Create a floor plan that addresses the design challenge, is consistent with the style of the home, fulfills the clients’ wishes, and aligns with NKBA’s Kitchen and Bath Planning Guidelines (Fourth Edition) and NKBA Graphic & Presentation Standards.  Award: $350 and announcement on Northern California NKBA Chapter website and social media postings.

• Full Charette Bath Design Competition - Create a floor plan that addresses the design challenge, is consistent with the style of the home, fulfills the clients’ wishes, and aligns with NKBA’s  Kitchen and Bath Planning Guidelines (Fourth Edition). Award: $350 and announcement on Northern California NKBA Chapter website and social media postings. 

Winners will be announced at the Annual Gala & Design Awards event.

 

WHO CAN ENTER:

Any student enrolled in an interior design program in the Northern California Chapter region who are also NKBA student members. Current graduates are eligible to enter the year they graduate. NKBA student membership is free, register here. 

 

ENTRY DETAILS:

Competition opens: June 1, 2025

Competition closes: September 1, 2025

• All entries need to be made in CPJam.

• Work must be legible and all rules must be followed to qualify. 

• Upload all files (Mood Board, Floor plan, Elevations, and Perspectives) in JPGs format.

• Incomplete submissions will not be considered.

• Please DO NOT include any identifying information on any aspect of the project itself, including file naming.  This is to avoid bias during the judging phase. Including any identifying information on any aspect of the project will result in disqualification. CPJam will assign each entry a unique number.  Please include this number on your entry materials.

• You’re welcome to submit in all categories, however the designs need to be distinctively unique from each other.

• Consider specifying products that are design solutions. Be creative!

We're looking forward to seeing your great ideas! If you have any questions please contact us.

 

PLEASE NOTE YOU MAY ONLY ENTER ONE CATEGORY:

Mood Board Charette Kitchen & Bath Design Requirements:

1. Your mood board can be designed in whatever program you choose or can be manually drafted. Submissions need to be in a format that can be uploaded to CPJam.

 

Full Charette Kitchen & Bath Design Requirements:

1. Design Statement (200 - 400 words)

2. A descriptive list of your selections (e.g., cabinets, countertops, appliances, fixtures, floor and wall finishes, hardware, etc.):

   1. The use of Riggs Distributing products, Wolf Sub-Zero Cove, MUST be specified in your design, as well as, two more Nor Cal Chapter sponsors Must be specified.  (see SPONSOR tab) 
      

   2. Include: 

      1. A floor plan of your vision.

      2. One elevation of a wall with a major appliance (range, stovetop, or ovens). 

      3. A perspective or a mood board. 

      4. Dimensions MUST be included on floor plans and elevations. 

3. Designs must align with NKBA’s Kitchen & Bath Planning Guidelines (Fourth Edition). The Kitchen & Bathroom Planning Guidelines are linked under Contest Files tab. 

4. Upload all files (Mood Board, Floor Plan, Elevations, Perspectives) in JPGs format.

5. Student Kitchen & Bath designs can be designed in whatever computer-assisted design program you choose or can be manually drafted. Submissions need to be in a format that can be uploaded to CPJam.  

 

JUDGING:

We realize students come from a range of abilities and experience in interior design, and may be either new to the interior design program or about to graduate.  Entries will not be judged on drafting abilities, but will be judged on visual appeal, space planning, creativity, and the ability to “tell the story.”  Much of design is selling the client on the ideas presented.  Oftentimes, the designer won’t have the technical skills, but should have an element of salesmanship.  Sell us your idea! 

 

PROJECT: 

The following story provides details about a fictional client and describes their requests for upgrading the kitchen and bathroom in their home.

Springing Into Retirement in Colorado

Lydia Bachman is a retired professor of anthropology who recently relocated to downtown Colorado Springs, Colorado. Brimming with shops, restaurants, culture, and beautiful historic homes, Lydia was delighted when the opportunity arose to purchase an attractive bungalow in a vibrant neighborhood. Looking forward to this next chapter in her life, Lydia plans to renovate the house. She wants to create a great space for pursuing hobbies and hosting guests. Her housemates include two Labrador Retrievers; her beloved pets that are always included in activities and gatherings.

Built in 1895, Lydia’s bungalow features a recently remodeled basement, which includes a beautiful primary bedroom and bathroom for Lydia. The first floor of the home presents great opportunity for renovation, especially as the owner desires to make the kitchen and bath areas more accommodating for guests. The kitchen is situated between a pantry and dining area. Lydia is interested in opening this space and creating a floor plan that’s more ideal for cooking and entertaining. Having space for an herb garden is a must as Lydia loves incorporating fresh ingredients in her cooking. She would also like to preserve the small built-in hutch located at the entrance of the dining room. Lydia finds this small space both functional and charming. She would like to preserve, relocate, or even expand this alcove.

From her years in academia, Lydia has created relationships with colleagues around the world, many of whom are now dear friends. She looks forward to hosting them for extended periods and wants to treat them to a touch of luxury in their guest accommodations. This includes the first-floor bathroom. Starting with the basics, a vanity and storage space are necessary, as well a larger shower. She seeks recommendations for other special touches for this space. Lydia also wants to ensure that the bathroom be comfortable for her
guests with mobility issues. When it comes to style, Lydia loves the craftsman look. She would prefer a historical feel to the space, keeping with the age of the home while also ensuring it has all the modern amenities.

Additional Property Information

• The new kitchen can incorporate the existing kitchen, pantry, and office space. The stairs must remain as they are.
• A built in hutch must be incorporated somewhere in the design.
• Seating for four is needed in the kitchen area for entertaining her friends, and a wine storage area is greatly desired.
• The closet in Bedroom 1 can be utilized as part of the bath as well as part of the hallway.
• The use of Riggs Wolf Sub-Zero Cove products is required.
• Please utilize the most recent standards in your submissions. An abbreviated version of the NKBA Kitchen & Bath planning Guidelines, 4th edition is available for reference.
• If you encounter a question not directly addressed here, please use your creativity to resolve the issue in your design. .

PROJECT FLOOR PLAN:

The floor plan for this project is shown in downloadable files.

REQUIRED APPLIANCES: Wolf Sub-Zero & Cove

         Refrigerator

         Dishwasher 

         Induction Cooktop or Range 

         Vent Hood

         Microwave 

 

NOTES:

• No structural changes to vaulted ceiling allowed

• Work within the footprint of the existing floor plan. Download floor plan from Contest Files tab.

• Exterior walls are 6 ½” thick, interior walls are 4 ½” thick

• Windows and doors can be added or moved 

• Plumbing can be added or moved 

• Additional appliances may be used such as ovens, warming drawers and wine/beverage refrigerators

• Cabinet and Appliance placement at designer’s discretion

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

1. Is there a budget?

   • No.

2. Is the mood board created by using a picture of real materials put together or can it be done digitally with examples of materials found over the internet?

   • The mood board can be ANY format as stated in the requirements. It can be a real material board that is photographed or materials found on the internet as long as you can submit it digitally in CPJam.

3. Is an elevation required for the Student Kitchen & Bath Design?

   • Yes. At least one elevation with a major appliance is required.

4. Does the Student Kitchen & Bath Design require a mood board?

   • No. Entries require either a mood board or perspective drawing.