Winners of the 2021-2022 Student Design Competition will be honored at KBIS this month.
By Dianne M. Pogoda
The finalists in the NKBA Student Design Competition for the kitchen category prove that the future of the industry is in good hands. They presented a mix of practical function and creativity in solving their clients’ needs, and their efforts earned top honors from a team of NKBA-certified judges.
The winners of NKBA’s student competition for the 2021-2022 school year will be honored at the highly anticipated Design Competition + Industry Awards on Jan. 30, marking the start of KBIS 2023 and the 60th anniversary celebrations for NKBA in Las Vegas. The event in the Encore Hotel’s Ballroom promises to be spectacular, hosted by NKBA CEO Bill Darcy and will feature a special surprise celebrity guest to kick off the Opening Night Party.
Prize and Ticket Information
This year’s student design assignment was to renovate a kitchen or guest bath for a fictional couple who love to entertain, and also live with their two golden retrievers on the Oregon coast. Three student winners will be recognized in both kitchen and bath categories, winning scholarships of $5,000 for first place, $2,500 for second, and $1,000 for third.
Be sure to reserve your seats for the Awards and Opening Party. Tickets to this semi-formal gala are $150 and include the ceremony and party with elaborate dinner buffet and open bar.
Design Nominees Preview
Here’s a glimpse of the three kitchen finalists, some of whom attended founding colleges in the NKBA Affiliated Schools program:
Beatrice Hernandez, Bow Valley College, Calgary, Alberta
Beatrice Hernandez wasn’t afraid to take some risks in her design. She moved walls to allow ocean vistas to be seen throughout the main floor, and extended others to provide abundant storage. She then opened the kitchen to the terrace by creating a bar area with an oversized folding door, and connected the two through a sliding window. A tall cabinet for dish storage is accessible from the dining room as well as the kitchen, and the generous new island has a dog station with drawers for food storage and a pot filler to easily refill the integrated water bowls. The rustic oak vinyl flooring resists scratches from the dogs and sandy feet in from the beach, and slim shaker cabinets in a light wood tone are accented by sky blue cabinets to mimic the colors of the seacoast.
Brea Holt, Lakeland College, Alberta, Canada
Oversized windows bring the coastline into Brea Holt’s modern kitchen, while white-oak cabinets in a light wood tone, exposed beams, a clean concrete floor and other natural elements set a mood of tranquility. The monochromatic, airy palette reflects the colors of sand, seashells, driftwood and clouds. The centerpiece of the space is a large multipurpose island that can accommodate working or entertaining, topped by a polished Calacatta Leon quartz slab. Custom cabinetry, drawers, and storage solutions make the area ideal for the clients’ cooking, baking and entertaining needs. Holt designed layers of lighting for ambience, task, and night safety, and specified integrated appliances for a sleek and contemporary feel.
Sarah Woosley, University of Tennessee Chattanooga
Sarah Woosley’s kitchen design skillfully caters to many facets of life, from entertaining to working from home to aging-in-place, and even dog care. Cabinets and drawers contain accessories for easy access and organization, including pull-down shelves, pull-out trays, and blind-corner cabinets. She tucked GFCI outlets into cabinets for easy access and storage of countertop appliances. The handles on the cabinets and appliances are easy to open, while the pull-out sink faucet includes a touchless function. Style wise, she created a biophilic palette, echoing muted tones with soft green cabinets, satin brass hardware, light wood tones on the floors, and complementary cabinets. The backsplash is a natural stacked pebble tile, and the island-attached dining table is a locally sourced light maple with a live edge.
Open Call for KBIS 2024
The 2022-2023 NKBA Student Design Competition is accepting entries through June 5, 2023. Entry is free, and winners will be honored at KBIS 2024 in Las Vegas. Click here for info.
The Student Design Competition is sponsored by Fisher & Paykel, with Chief Architect providing floor-plan specifications. Sub-Zero Wolf Cove underwrites the Student Chapter and Students of the Industry membership programs.
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