2012 NKBA/GE Charette

For the sixth year in a row, with continuous support from GE Consumer & Industrial Appliances, more than 390 students from 31 colleges participated in the 2012 NKBA/GE Charette, which awarded more than $25,000 in scholarships. These NKBA Supported/Accredited Students have demonstrated excellence in the 2012 NKBA/GE Charette Design Competition.

There were 81 student winners at the local competition level, each receiving $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 featuring 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 proud to present the following winners and their designs:

1^st Place Winner: Alicia Meeker – $5,000

School: Vancouver Community College, Vancouver, BC
College Advisor’s Name: Bernie Lyon
Hometown: Abbotsford, BC, Canada
Other Accomplishments: 3.55 GPA, Student Tutor

About the Winning Design: Alicia Meeker’s inspiration was to create a clean and classic kitchen with contemporary accents that were efficient and timeless. With this in mind, she chose polished slate tile for the floor and sleek GE Monogram Professional stainless steel appliances and shelving to give the kitchen a contemporary kitchen that suits the needs of the clients. The designer used white maple Shaker cabinetry to contrast with the dark gray flooring and blue and black toned quartz glass tile accents to allow for a timeless backdrop. The designer believes the most important NKBA planning guideline is to utilize a true work triangle and to make sure there are proper clearances around the appliances. Alicia believes the clients are pleased with requested seating, and the desk area for their daughter where they can monitor her internet use.

Download 1st place drawing documents

2^nd Place Winner: Valene Edwards – $4,000

School: Brigham Young University – Idaho, Rexburg, ID
College Advisor’s Name: Wendy Harris, CKE
Hometown: Lakeside, CA
Other Accomplishments: 3.72 GPA, 2011 ASID Intermountain Chapter 2^nd Place in Student Design Competition, NKBA Student Chapter Secretary

About the Winning Design: Valene Edwards’ design was to create a dramatic, impressive, harmonious contemporary kitchen. She used a blend of white, black, and a splash of red throughout the kitchen to give the kitchen a contemporary design. The focal point of the kitchen was to a tulip chair designed by Eero Saarinen. This classic white chair with red cushions influenced the design of the entire kitchen with its clean curved lines in the seating area and kitchen peninsula. Using the GE Monogram series in her design gave the kitchen the contemporary look the clients were looking for. The NKBA planning guideline most important to Valene was to adhere to space allowances for walkways and landing spaces. The proper use of the landing space gave the family plenty of room to cook without any obstructions. The designer believes the Hendersons will enjoy the overall layout of the kitchen. Valene provided banquet seating for six, giving Taylor with an area where she can relax with her friends.

Download 2nd place drawing documents

3^rd Place Winner: Julie Arthurs – $3,000

School: Lakeland College, Vermillion, AB, Canada
College Advisor’s Name: Cynthia Plant
Hometown: Burstall, SK, Canada
Other Accomplishments: 3.56 GPA, graduated high school on honor roll, Dean’s List for two semesters at Lakeland College, Vice President of the Interior Design Travel Club

About the Winning Design: Julie Arthur had a unique concept to split the kitchen into two separate, but connected areas. She planned a one-wall layout using GE Monogram Professional appliances to allow for an adequate cooking area and interaction between family and friends in the dining area. The clients requested an under counter beverage center where Taylor and her friends could have easy access to their favorite drinks and snacks, which she included in her design. The designer wanted traffic to pass with ease from one room to another by not placing any core kitchen components in the way and kept the walkway areas clear of obstructions. To keep the contemporary theme, Julie included cabinetry doors with a high gloss lacquer finish to complete her design. Julie believes the most important NKBA planning guideline was #6 –Work Aisle clearance, which ensured adequate space for both a functioning kitchen and good traffic flow. The clients would appreciate Julie’s layout of the kitchen with separate areas for eating, cooking and computer work. The Hendersons like the friendly atmosphere of the kitchen where the entire family and Taylor’s friends can come and enjoy the time together in a fun, safe, supervised environment.

Download 3rd place drawing documents

4^th Place Winner: Rebecca Johnston – $2,500

School: Lakeland College, Vermillion, AB Canada
College Advisor’s Name: Cynthia Plant
Hometown: Macklin, SK Canada
Other Accomplishments: 3.727 GPA, 2011 Lakeland College Board of Governors Award, 2011 Lakeland College; Whitney Interior Design Scholarship, 2010 & 2011 Lakeland College Dean’s List, 2010 Lakeland College Fund for the Future Entrance Scholarship

About the Winning Design: Rebecca Johnston was inspired to keep her design straightforward and free of complications. She strategically incorporated the needs of the Hendersons into her plan and gave the kitchen a contemporary feel. The designer’s choice of the GE Monogram Professional series of appliances worked well with distressed 6” plank black American walnut hardwood flooring, white cabinetry, colored glass tiles, and custom floating shelving. Her final use of a neutral color scheme pulled the whole room together. The most important NKBA planning guideline that Rebecca adhered to was pertaining to traffic flow. She felt with three doorways in the space, the flow of traffic should be free and clear of obstacles. The client would enjoy having the beverage center close to the main entry for easy access to drinks.

Download 4th place drawing documents

5^th Place Winner: Alexandra Williams – $2,000

School: Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Blacksburg, VA
College Advisor’s Name: Kathleen Parrott, CKE
Hometown: Roanoke, VA
Other Accomplishments: 3.87 GPA, graduated from Virginia Tech Suma Cum Laude, Dean’s List every semester of college, receiving job offers prior to graduation

About the Winning Design: Alexandra Williams fulfilled the client’s wish list with her vision of a sleek and cool kitchen. She chose GE Monogram Professional appliances and GE Monogram Designer Kitchen’s undercounter beverage center for a contemporary look requested by the clients. The designer chose frameless black veneer cabinets with a grey granite countertop that kept the look of the kitchen sleek. She painted the walls a cool contemporary teal and used medium cork flooring to complete the details of her cool and sleek kitchen. She chose a counter height table with bar seats and bench for a seating of six. Alexandra created the perfect computer area for Taylor to do her homework and search the internet with parental supervision. The most important NKBA planning guidelines for Alexandra was the landing area and walkway clearances because she believes that landing areas are necessary for prepping, cooking, and cleaning and having enough clear space to walk around and work. She believes what the clients liked best about her design was the sleek contemporary simplicity with all the feel of a fully equipped traditional kitchen.

Download 5th place drawing documents

Honorable Mention Winners – $1,000 each:

Ellen Peterson, Alexandria Technical & Community College, Alexandria, MN- Download Drawing Documents

Jill Gladden-Garibaldi, Cañada College, Redwood City, CA- Download Drawing Documents

Karen Klavuhn, Santa Fe Community College, Santa Fe, NM- Download Drawing Documents

Kent Schumacher, University of Nebraska @ Kearney, Kearney, NE- Download Drawing Documents

Nozomi Galloway, West Valley College, Saratoga, CA- Download Drawing Documents

Local Finalist Winners – $50 Scholarships: