2011 NKBA/GE Charette

For the fifth year in a row, with the continuous support from GE Consumer & Industrial Appliances, more than 400 students from 29 colleges who participated in the 2011 NKBA/GE Charette were awarded more than $25,000 in scholarships. These NKBA Supported/Accredited Students have demonstrated excellence in the 2011 NKBA/GE Charette Design Competition.

80 student winners at the local competition level received $50 scholarships. Their winning designs were entered into the national competition for additional scholarship awards.

This challenge presents students with the opportunity to think quickly and apply their knowledge to a kitchen of their own design that features GE Monogram Professional Kitchen or GE Monogram Designer Kitchen appliances. As part of the challenge, students must produce a floor plan with specifications, a design statement, and one additional drawing, either a perspective or elevation, within the allotted three-hour time span. The National Kitchen & Bath Association and GE Consumer & Industrial Appliances is happy to present the following winners and their designs:

1st Place Winner: Kelsey Warren

School: Alexandria Technical and Community College, Alexandria, MN
College Advisor’s Name: Betty Ravnik, CMKBD
Hometown: Parkers Prairie, MN
Other Accomplishments: 3.96 GPA, Design Connection Board President, Student Tutor, Active Phi Theta Kappa member

About the Winning Design: Kelsey Warren designed a contemporary kitchen that had a simple design with room to entertain. Her design inspiration was to keep the room functional for everyday use, but open enough for Mrs. Temple to have a great area to demonstrate her cooking class. The focal point of the room is the outstanding GE range and pro hood. The unique peninsula design features a 1½-inch glass bar height countertop supported by stainless steel legs for a contemporary feel. Kelsey thinks that the client will like the amount of storage and a well-designed preparation area that allows the host to demonstrate her cooking classes and prepare the food in front of her guests. When asked which of the NKBA Planning Guidelines was the most important, she responded, “the work triangle is the most important guideline used in this design to make sure the kitchen functions well.”

Download 1st place drawing documents

2nd Place Winner: Katelyn Shipe

School: Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Blacksburg, VA
College Advisor’s Name: Kathleen Parrott, CKE
Hometown: Greenville, VA
Other Accomplishments: 4.00 GPA

About the Winning Design: This winning designer used rich and inviting dark cherry cabinets contrasted against sleek professional GE Monogram stainless appliances, stark simple white granite countertops, and dark gray polished concrete floors to establish the desired effect of a warm, yet contemporary kitchen. Katelyn wanted Mrs. Temple to have her main cooking center in the heart of the kitchen, so she placed the peninsula in the center of the room. This location has many advantages for observing cooking lessons and relaxing for an evening meal.  One creative idea was the location of the desk. Katelyn stated, “I wanted to camouflage the awkward nook that was in the kitchen and make it look like it was meant to be there, so I tucked the desk into that area.” Katelyn believes that the most important NKBA Planning Guideline she followed was those that related to space allowances for aisles, walkways, and landing space. She wanted the clients to have plenty of room when there were lots of people in the kitchen at one time. The designer feels that the clients will enjoy the peninsula best, because it encompasses the range as the focal point of the kitchen.

Download 2nd place drawing documents

3rd Place Winner: Ryan Laurin Young

School: East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
College Advisor’s Name: Nacmiye Yaprak Savut, CKE, CBE
Hometown: Hickory, NC
Other Accomplishments: 3.98 GPA, 2010-2011 Student Representative to the Board for the ASID Carolina’s Chapter, ASID Student Chapter Treasurer at East Carolina University, 2010 undergraduate research award granted by the Institute for Coastal Science and Policy (ICSP),  Chancellors List: Fall 2008, Spring 2009, Fall 2009, Fall 2010, Deans list: Fall 2007, Spring 2008, Spring 2010, Member of Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society for being ranked in the top 7.5% of senior class.

About the Winning Design: Ryan Laurin Young’s design was inspired by her personal design philosophy, which is “Where form and function join sophistication.” “I aimed to create a kitchen design that was organized well to enable efficient and practical work conditions, but that was also sleek, sophisticated, and welcoming. The variation of natural slate tile flooring and the polished Granite countertops give the kitchen an earthier feel, while the stainless steel GE Monogram kitchen appliances and the glass tile mosaic backsplash keep the space looking up to date and contemporary. The most important NKBA planning guideline I adhered to in the design were guidelines #3 through #5, which pertain to the kitchen work triangle. When designing a kitchen, functionality is every bit as important as the aesthetics of the space. The peninsula, which features a state-of-the-art GE cook top and hood, also serves as a great teaching space since there is ample room for seating and standing observation area behind the peninsula.”

Download 3rd place drawing documents

4th Place Winner: Courtney Simper

School: Brigham Young University – Idaho, Rexburg, ID
College Advisor’s Name: Wendy Harris, CKE
Hometown: Rexburg, ID
Other Accomplishments: 3.766 GPA, member of the NKBA Student Chapter

About the Winning Design: Courtney Simper stated she wanted to create a clean and contemporary kitchen that could accommodate many activities throughout the day while holding onto the classic look of the kitchen. To accomplish this, the designer chose the GE stainless steel appliances, white cabinetry, polished floors, neutral colors and natural materials to pull her design together. According to the designer, “the most unique feature is the peninsula that extends at a 45-degree angle that is mirrored in the shape of the desk behind it. By placing, the range in the peninsula makes it the focal part of the room to allow easy access and for cooking students to gather around.” The most important NKBA Planning Guidelines to the designer was “having ample landing space next to appliances and flowing, open walkways that would not interfere with the use of those appliances, especially the range. Her clients will like the unique peninsula with a bar top that seats four and allows for easy conversation with the Mrs. Temple while preparing meals and cooking demonstrations.”

Download 4th place drawing documents

5th Place Winner: Jennifer Ann McKell

School: Brigham Young University – Idaho, Rexburg, ID
College Advisor’s Name: Wendy Harris, CKE
Hometown: Federal Way, WA
Other Accomplishments: 3.574 GPA, Honorable Mention – 2010/2011 NKBA Student Bath Competition

About the Winning Design: Jennifer Ann McKell’s vision for her client’s kitchen was that it be functional as well as sleek. The designer stated, “I divided the kitchen into three functional areas: the presentation area, prep area, and desk area. The presentation area includes a peninsula with seating for four, a small work sink, and glass display shelves. The prep area is the work triangle that includes the GE Monogram Professional appliances with a 48-inch work area to accommodate more than one cook and space to move around the work area.  Finally, the desk area that includes a large open surface, connections for the internet and glass shelves for storage and displays.”  The NKBA Planning Guideline that the designer adhered to most was the work aisles. “For the main prep area, I found it important to exceed the 48 inches needed for more than one cook. Her countertops are Lavastone which gives the kitchen a luxurious look and create a one-of-a kind look.” By combining bamboo cabinets, glass shelves and polished concrete flooring, the designer pulls together an environmentally green kitchen.

Download 5th place drawing documents

Honorable Mention Winners:

  • Jennifer L. Murray-Huffman, Baker College of Clinton Township, Clinton Township, MI- Download Drawing Documents
  • Alexandria Van Nuys – Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Blacksburg, VA- Download Drawing Documents
  • Kevin Fields – Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Blacksburg, VA- Download Drawing Documents
  • Jenna Nibourg – Lakeland College, Vermillion, AB Canada- Download Drawing Documents
  • Nozomi Hirasawa Galloway – West Valley College, Saratoga, CA- Download Drawing Documents