Design Competition

2026 Rules & Entry Guidelines

Entrant Qualifications

• Entrant and/or Co-Entrant(s) must be a design professional that completed a qualifying project within the established design period (January 1, 2022–April 1, 2026).

• Open to NKBA Members.

• Certification not required to enter

• Co-Entrants receive an award as well

Project Criteria

• Qualifying projects completed between Jan 1, 2022 & April 1, 2026

• Design Competition Entries must adhere to 2026 submittal requirements.

• Projects that have been awarded otherwise, outside of the Design Competition and/or the NKBA National Design Competition, are eligible for submittal.

Benefits

• Prizes will be awarded at the Design Competition Gala on Wednesday, September 24, 2026

• Showcase your design expertise and enjoy recognition from industry peers

• Leverage marketing opportunities to showcase design awards

• Chance to be featured in design publications

• Awarded projects will be featured on NKBA Nebraska Kansas social media channels

• Category winners earn a beautiful trophy to display in their place of business

Deadlines

• Early Bird Payment deadline: Sunday June 14, 2026

• Project entry and fee deadline: Wednesday, July 15, 2026 (Late entries will NOT be accepted and no extensions will be given).

• Design Board submission deadline for Peoples' Choice: Friday, September 18, 2026. (Peoples choice Award is determined by attendees at the Design Competition Gala; A Design Board is required to be eligible for People's Choice.) These submissions do not require as stringent of drafting standards--they are judged on a traditional board similar to the Symphony Designers' Showhouse, and based on overall appeal vs. having to adhere to technical NKBA Standards. More info on Peoples' Choice below.

Entry Fees

By June 14, 2026: (Project does not need to be submitted until the end of the competition. All fees must be paid during Early Bird Pricing dates to receive the discounted pricing.)

• Early Bird Pricing: May 14, 2026 - June 14, 2026. NKBA Members $135 for 1st entry and $125 for each additional entry. (Includes (1) free Gala Ticket only) for 1st project.)

• Co-Entrant (Member and Non-member) will pay an entry fee of $115 for each first project. (Includes (1) free Gala Ticket only), and $105 for each additional Project. Co-entrants will also receive a trophy.

June 15-July 15, 2026:

• Each NKBA entrant will pay an entry fee of $165 (Includes (1) free Gala Ticket only) for 1st project, and $155 for each additional project.)

• Co-Entrant (Member and Non-member) will pay an entry fee of $145 for each project. (Includes (1) free Gala Ticket only), and $135 for each additional Project. Co-entrants will also receive a trophy.

• Entry fees are non-refundable

• Entry fees are payable online ONLY

Not an NKBA Member? Click this link to join: https://nkba.org/signup/

Multiple Entry Benefit

• Receive an additional Gala Ticket for every 4 standard entries!

Best Before & After Category Option

• Best Before & After Kitchen or Best Before & After Bath will not be held to NKBA Presentation Standards. Drawings will still be scored on professionalism of drawing submission. Dimensions should be shown to give idea of space and clearances as well as clear notations of what changes were made to the space. Before & After Plans and photos are required for entry.

Design Categories

• 101 Small Kitchen: 200 SF or Less

• 102 Medium Kitchen: 201-350 SF

• 103 Large Kitchen: 351 SF or More

• 104 Powder Room (Must contain Sink & Toilet ONLY)

• 105 Secondary Bathroom

• 106 Primary Bathroom (Primary Bathrooms must be directly connect to and entered through the Primary Bedroom)

• 107 Specialty Room Entertainment: Bar, Wine Cellar, Outdoor Kitchen

• 108 Specialty Room Utility: Laundry, Mudroom, Office, Pantry, etc.

• 109 Best Before & After Kitchen--overall appeal, mechanical plans not required

• 110 Best Before & After Bath--overall appeal, mechanical plans not required

• 111 Peoples' Choice--Project Board Submission for real-time judging at the event

To Enter

• All projects must be submitted in digital format to the CPJ Association management website.

• Entry form must be complete and fees must be paid at time of entry.

• Uploaded files are to be named Project Name_Document Type (i.e.: Mountain Vista_Before Plan)

NOTE: NO IDENTIFYING INFORMATION REGARDING THE DESIGNER, CLIENT OR CONTRACTOR may be shown on any judged documents. This will result in disqualification.

The following documents are to be uploaded with no identifying information appearing anywhere on plans, photos, or Design Statement:

• Before Plan (PDF Only) (For NKBA categories only if New Construction, upload a document stating New Construction Project)

• After Plan 1/4" , 1/2" or 1:20 Metric Scale (PDF) (Required for All Categories)

• Elevations 1/4", 1/2" or 1:20 Metric Scale (Required for All Categories)

Note: After plan and Elevations may be combined into one PDF document. Additional renderings or perspectives are permitted but not required.

Note: All plans are to be detailed & dimensioned to 1/4", 1/2" or scale:20 Metric Scale

Note: Entrants must adhere to NKBA Graphics Presentation Guidelines. Please see https://nkba.org/planning-guidelines/ for more information or review the NKBA Graphics & Presentation Standards list in the documents section.

• Design Statement: Clearly, but briefly, outline design problems and client requirements, then concisely describe what was done to solve those problems and fulfill client needs. See Entry Documents for additional information on requirements for Design Statement & NKBA Graphic Standards.

Design Board for Peoples' Choice

• Create one design board per project (this is how the People's Choice Awards are voted on live during the Award Show).

• One board per project to be judged at the Gala may be submitted.

• Board Size: 22"w x 24"h with 1/2" border around the perimeter

• Board must be mounted on Foam core in portrait orientation.

• Mandatory: leave a 4" x 4" blank space in the upper left corner of the board. (This is where NKBA Nebraska Kansas Design Competition Committee will place your voting #)

• Plans &/or photos only may be on the board (No samples). Make this what you want to show your project the best to attendees at the Gala!

• Attach an envelope to the back of the board containing the Entrant Name, Project Name and Category Only (Failure to do this will result in ineligibility for the Design Board Competition)

• No names or identifying information may appear on the front of the design board.

• Please drop off your board by End of Day, Friday, September 18, 2026.

Board Drop off Location:

• Luxe Appliance Design & Installation11386 Strang Line Road Lenexa, KS 66215

Judging - NKBA Projects

• Judging will take place August 1–20, 2026

• All judges are selected by the Design Competition Committee and are experts in their field--either NKBA certified or experienced NKBA judges adhering to 2026 Standards.

• All judges reside and work outside the state.

• Judges reserve the right to determine if the category has a winning entry. There is no guarantee that each category will have a winning entry or that there will be more than 1 award. Best Before & After Kitchen & Bath will have (1) one winner for each category.

Entries in the NKBA Categories of the competition will be judged in the following categories: 100 total points possible.

1. Planning: 10 points each

• Design Statement: 300-400 words. Should include the needs of the client, design/project issues and how they were solved. Bullet points highly recommend. Recommended at least 5 bullet points with solutions.

• Design Solution: Were the client needs met and did the designer create the best solution?

2. Creativity and Visual Appeal 10 points each

• Creativity: This is the “WOW” factor and visual appeal.

• Innovative or creative use of materials: Were there any special materials used or materials used in a creative way to set it apart from other projects?

• Execution of space: Was the space used in the best possible way?

• Product and material usage: Were appropriate products and materials used within the space in regards to safety, wear/longevity and durability?

• Elements & Principles of design: Does the space illustrate a good use of the elements & principles of design?

3. Presentation: 10 points each

• NKBA Presentation Standards: Do the drawings submitted meet NKBA Presentation Standards? (See documents for details)

• NKBA Planning Guidelines: Does this project meet NKBA Planning standards for Kitchens & Baths? Note: New NKBA Planning Standards 4th Edition will be used in the 2026 Design Competition.

• Before & After Photos: Do the photos submitted tell a story about the project? Do the photos show any details to highlight special areas of interest? Are the After photos of good quality. Note: Professional photos are highly recommended but not required. If this is a new construction project, a PDF stating “New Construction” must be uploaded in the Before Photos File.

Automatic Disqualification for ANY identifying information on drawings, design statement or photos.

NOTE: 2pts will be deducted for missing centerlines or walkway dimensions.

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