2026 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. 

The 2026 Clarellen Adams Student Design Awards is sponsored by Riggs Distributing Wolf Sub-Zero Cove.

AWARD CATEGORIES

There are four award categories: 

• Mood Board Charette Kitchen Design - Create a mood board consistent with the style of the home, and fulfill the clients’ wishes. Prize: $150, Award Certificate, 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 fulfill the clients’ wishes. Prize: $150, Award Certificate, 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, fulfill the clients’ wishes, and aligns with NKBA’s Kitchen and Bath Planning Guidelines (Fourth Edition) and NKBA Graphic & Presentation Standards.  Prize: $350, Award Certificate 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, fulfill the clients’ wishes, and aligns with NKBA’s  Kitchen and Bath Planning Guidelines (Fourth Edition). Prize: $350, Award Certificate and announcement on Northern California NKBA Chapter website and social media postings. 

Winners will be announced at the Annual Gala & Design Awards event on August 27, 2026.

 

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: February 1, 2026

Competition closes: March 31, 2026

• 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 can submit in one category only.

• 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 Lilley Yee lilleyyeeinteriors99@gmail.com (650) 400-4011.

 

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.

      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. Sell us your idea! 

 

PROJECT: 

This year’s competition invites you to reimagine the kitchen and primary bath for Camila and Mateo Williams-Garcia and their vibrant family of five. Residing in the lively Dallas-area neighborhood of Preston Hollow, the Williams-Garcias are deeply rooted in their community and envision their home as the heart of family, friendship, and function. With three active children, plus a rotating door of friends, neighbors, and relatives, this household regularly hosts gatherings of all sizes. Your challenge is to design spaces that support their lifestyle now and into the future, with bold style, thoughtful organization, and warm hospitality at the forefront.

Meet the Williams-Garcias

Camila is the CFO of a successful Dallas-based law firm, while Mateo works as a nurse at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. Outside of his career, Mateo is a board member of their neighborhood HOA and co-chairs the quarterly block party. Camila and Mateo have three active children, ranging from middle school to high school. Their eldest daughter, Elena, is a high school junior who enjoys playing soccer and competing in her school’s annual robotics competition. Emilio, their son, is an eighth-grader who plays football and participates on the debate team. Their youngest, Gabriela, is in sixth grade and loves tennis and theater. Each of the kids enjoys cooking and frequently initiates baking projects or helps their parents in the kitchen.

With one child already thinking about college, Camila and Mateo are thoughtfully preparing their forever home to grow with their family. They know how quickly time passes and want to create a space that not only supports their kids into adulthood but also welcomes them back with open arms. For them, this home is a foundation for every chapter to come.

THE GREAT INDOORS: TEXAS EDITION

Kitchen Remodel:
The kitchen is the epicenter of the Williams-Garcia home, and they are seeking a design that enhances both everyday living and frequent entertaining. The new kitchen must accommodate dual cooks with induction cooking, expanded fresh food storage, and a discrete “back of house” scullery area equipped with an additional sink and dishwasher to manage cleanup behind the scenes. A designated beverage station outside of the main fridge is essential, and the layout should support casual weekday breakfasts with at least three counter-height seats, while also offering flexibility for larger table gatherings. The design should celebrate Camila’s love of maximalist style, with curated color and pattern combinations, and use Mateo’s passion for biophilic design, ensuring a seamless visual and spatial connection to their well-used backyard and patio.

Primary Bath Remodel:
The couple’s primary suite must offer a serene escape from their bustling household. Think spa-like sanctuary with a cozy, sophisticated atmosphere. Camila and Mateo envision a spacious, dual-temperature shower, two vanities (together or separate), and a layout that allows for some commode privacy without the need for a separate room. While reconfiguring the closet space is optional, maintaining equivalent storage is key. Enhancements such as a small built-in fridge for sparkling water and skincare, and access to warm towels, will elevate their daily routine. Walls within the primary suite may be relocated freely, offering flexibility to design a retreat that truly reflects their needs and personalities.

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 

 

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 a prospective drawing.