Design Competition 2024

Entry Rules

1. Open to ALL Industry participants servicing Kitchen and Bath spaces, NKBA members and non-members.
2. All Design Competition Entrants will receive (2) tickets to the Diamond Awards Gala at a discounted rate.
3. Co-design entries are permitted (multiple designers from the same firm). Only one entry fee is required.
4. Team entries (one project completed by multiple firms) are permitted. A separate entry fee is required by each team member.
   • Team entry fees must be submitted through a separate payment link.
5. As design competition participants are included in our Annual Industry Directory, it is highly suggested that all entrants participate in advertising in the directory.
   *In the event of a non-member placement, a minimum quarter-page ad in the NKBA Industry Directory is required.
6. Each Designer of Record, Co-designer &/or Team member can enter one design per category.  Choose your best work.
7. The project must have been completed and installed during the period of September 20, 2021 – September 19, 2024.
8. All entries must be submitted according to the General Requirements, see below.
9. The same project may not be entered in more than one category per Design Competition but may be considered for a Judges Choice award in addition to the general category. 
10. Past entries that were not awarded may be re-entered but must adhere to the 2024 submittal requirements.
11. Fees must be paid with each entry form submitted on-line and are non-refundable.
12. NKBA Members: A $100.00 entry fee is required for the first project submitted and $75.00 for each subsequent project.
    Non- NKBA Members: A $150.00 entry fee is required for the first project submitted and $100.00 for each subsequent project.
13. A new entry form is required for each project submitted and is to be completed in full. Each entry requires a separate fee. 
14. Fees must be submitted individually for the Designer of Record (a design firm may not enter entries for all of its various designers).
15. In the case of team entries, each team member will submit a $100.00 (NKBA member and Non-Members) entry fee for each entry.
16. Submit all Entries by 11:59pm pst, Friday, September 27, 2024.
17. Entries failing to follow the rules will be disqualified and will be notified in writing within 7 days of project submission by Design Committee Chair.
18. The decision of the judges is final.  Winners to be announced at the Diamond Award Gala on November 22, 2024.
19. Please contact Christal Gress, designcomp@sacnkba.org, 916.606.8822, with any questions. 

A copy of the Design Competition Entry Packet can be found here: 2024 Design Competition Entry Packet

 

Team Entries

Why should you submit a team entry?

It’s teamwork that makes a project successful and each project includes many different partners to bring a designer's vision to life.

This is a great way to include and highlight your favorite contractor, architect, or other industry partners. Do you frequently collaborate with a specific plumbing supplier, tile vendor, or lighting specialist? Encourage them to enter a team entry.

We would love to highlight and celebrate the ENTIRE team!

How does it work?

The designer of the project submits the project including all related design plans and photographs.

• The designer may invite team mebers to participate.
• You can add as many team members as you like.
• There is a separate entry fee for each team member.
• In case of a placement, each team member will receive their own award with their name on it.
• Open to NKBA members and non-members.
• Winning entries will be highlighted on the NKBA CA Capital chapter’s website, social media, and directory.
• In the event of a non-member placement, a minimum quarter-page ad in the NKBA CCC Industry Directory is required.

Who is considered a team member?

• Architects
• Tile Suppliers
• Plumbing Showrooms
• Cabinetry Experts
• Contractors
• Lighting Specialists
• Vendors

 

Categories

The competition is divided into the following five (5)categories.  

Please note:  All categories are rooms - your plans should reflect this.

1. Large Kitchens (more than 300 square feet)
2. Small Kitchens (under 300 square feet)
3. Large Bathrooms (more than 70 square feet)
4. Small Bathrooms (under 70 square feet) – including Powder Rooms.
5. Specialty Rooms including live Showroom Displays:  Must have cabinetry AND plumbing or electrical/working appliances; includes wet bars, outdoor kitchens, laundry rooms, mud rooms, home offices, wine cellars, etc.
6. Kitchen Refresh or Remodel under $60,000

This category recognizes outstanding kitchen designs that achieve significant transformation with a budget of $60,000 or less. Entries should include cosmetic upgrades (painting, new countertops, backsplashes, lighting, hardware) or more extensive changes (reconfiguring layout, replacing cabinetry, updating appliances, improving storage solutions) that demonstrate creativity and functionality within budget constraints.

 

Kitchens should be entered into an appropriate kitchen category, based on square footage of the kitchen portion of the room.  While calculating square footage for kitchens, cook, prep and clean-up areas, family desk, built-in or island dining, and ‘eat-in areas’ (not formal dining) are to be included, where applicable.

Primary Suites should be entered into an appropriate bathroom category, based on square footage.  While calculating square footage for bathrooms, water closet, vanity, and areas for bathing, shower, closet and dressing should be included, where applicable.

Projects may be moved to an alternate category, if in the wrong category, by the judging panel, after prior notification to the entrant.

Specialty Awards           

No additional entry fee is required.  In addition to the six (6) categories, the following awards will be given:

1. Judges Choice Award (Kitchens, Bathrooms, and Specialty Rooms)
   • All entries are automatically eligible for the Judges Choice Award. 
   • The Judges will select their favorite entry in each category. The entry with the most votes receives the award. (Judges do not see the entrant's name.)

 

 

General Requirements

Entry Form: Complete the electronic entry form.  Company identification should appear only on the entry form.

Designer and Client Release Forms: Complete and include the required signatures - **See Downloadable Files**

Plans:  No company identification or individual identification is to appear anywhere on the design drawings. 
Plans must be drawn to 1/4", 3/8” or ½” scale according to NKBA Graphic Presentation Standards and must include, but not limited to the following:

1. 1. Dimensioned Floor Plan and Elevations
   2. Mechanical/Electrical and Construction Plans
   3. Before Plans, if applicable - This plan is encouraged but not mandatory.
   4. If these plans are part of a larger project, you may red-line the parts of the project that are not part of the entry.
   5. Plans CANNOT show any company identification.  If this information is on your submitted plans, please black out this information so it is not visible.
       

Design Statement:  The design statement is limited to one 8½ x 11” letter size page (200-400 maximum words suggested). 
Judges will be reviewing this as part of the presentation, check spelling and grammar, be clear and concise.

• • Describe client objectives and how they were met.
  • Explain any design challenges that were present and how they were solved.
  • Highlight design elements that are unique and memorable.
  • If client has refused any safety products or other design criteria, explain.

Download Design Statement Template HERE 

Photographs – Photographs are required and must be high resolution .jpg images suitable for print publication (e.g., 8” x 10” at 300dpi).

1. 1. Submit up to 10 photographs to describe your project.
   2. Limit each photograph to a maximum file size of 10 MB.
   3. Professional photography is helpful, but not required. Amateur photography including phone camera images will be accepted for the submission process. Judges, however, cannot help but be influenced by the quality of the photography.
   4. Winning entry’s photographs will be used in the chapter directory, chapter website and chapter events. Winning entries will be notified and asked to submit additional/professional photographs if necessary. Photographs must be high resolution .jpg images to be suitable for print publication (e.g., 8” x 10” at 300dpi).
   5. Include vertical, as well as horizontal photographs.
   6. No company identification or individual identification is to appear anywhere on the photos
   7. Photos cannot show people.

 

Judging Criteria

1. Projects submitted will be judged by an impartial panel of judges, comprised of NKBA certified members of an outside NKBA Chapter, Media & Industry Professionals. 
2. Votes from the certified members will account for 60% of the total score, votes from the Media and Industry Professionals (combined) will account for 40% of the total score.
3. The decision of the judges is final.
4. Projects will be evaluated by the judges using the following criteria:
   1. Presentation (25%): This area considers the design statement, dimensioned floor plans, interpretive drawings and mechanical plans, and quality of photographs.
   2. Basic Safety and Ergonomic Standards (30%): This area considers the compliance with NKBA Kitchen and Bath Planning Guidelines.
   3. Elements and Principles of Design (15%): Elements include space, line form and texture. Principles include balance, rhythm, emphasis, scale, proportion, harmony.
   4. Creativity and Visual Appeal (30%): ‘THE ‘WOW’.  This area considers the overall aesthetic appeal of the project and the use of innovative solutions, products, and materials.  For consideration: How will the project appear in publication, staging, quality of photography, lighting and color rendering.

Placement is based on points. The project receiving the highest score in each category receives the award.  Each category might not receive all possible awards. If there is only one entrant in a category, they are not guaranteed placement.   

To place in a category, an entry must have a minimum average score of 70 points.

 

Winner Recognition and Awards

 

Awarded projects will be announced at the Diamond Awards Gala on November 22, 2024 and will be showcased and included in the Annual NKBA Industry Directory, on the NKBA California Capital Chapter website and social media sites.

Competition Prizes - All Categories

a.     First Place - Diamond Award + $300

b.     Second Place - Diamond Award + $200

c.      Third Place - Diamond Award + $100

d.     Judges' Choice Award: First Place will receive a Diamond Award + an entire year of FREE chapter meetings for 2025!

 

Sponsorships

 Sponsorships are available!

a.     $350 per sponsorship, including one FREE entry ($100 Discount)!

b.    Your Logo in the Gala program!

c.  Sponsors will be promoted on the online platform as well as on our website.

Design Competition Sponsorship - $350