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The Best of the 2006/2007 NKBA Student Design Competition

Top row, from left to right, J. Robert Call, Allison Marie Bradshaw, Michelle Wilcher, Kara Lynn Eastham. Bottom row, SuChin Coutre and Honorable Mention Kitchen recipient Antonina Kennedy.
The National Kitchen & Bath Association is proud to portray the winning designs of the 2006/2007 Student Design Competition. This year, we had the highest number of entries ever in the bathroom portion of competition. Students could submit kitchen and/or bathroom entries for the second year. The results of the nearly 300 entries were outstanding. We wish to congratulate and commend everyone who entered the competition and we look forward to an even more exciting 2007/2008 competition.

Following is a peek at the very challenging kitchen and bathroom projects students overwhelming responded to. The clients David and Carmen Lambert are a couple in their mid-40s, Carmen is 5’2” and David is 6’0”. Of their three children, only the youngest, a 9-year-old son, is still at home. Their home was built in 1880, they both love to cook, with David being the primary cook. Their son uses the kitchen to reheat food and study. The two-story converted barn will house the bathroom.

The Challenges

Kitchen Project

SuChin Coutre, 1st place Kitchen Design winner with the 2007 President of NKBA, Bob Garner, CMKBD.
The Lamberts feel that the kitchen is too small and cramped for their lifestyle. David complains about the dark feel and hopes renovation will lighten things up. Carmen loves to entertain and likes the ability to engage in conversation with guests while cooking, but would prefer they are not in the work area.

For day-to-day meals they need a small three-person eating area preferably at a 30” height. A television must be included and would ideally be viewable from the eating area.

The recently purchased 48” professional range must be placed between the two existing windows. For a polished look, they have requested a built-in coffee maker, a double sink, and professional appliances which will require larger dimensions.

With the option of removing a winding stairs and pantry on the western outside wall of the kitchen, designers could extend the space and create a bump-out. This bump-out must be cantilevered and could not exceed 24” in depth.

The existing cabinetry is oak, this could be altered, moved, added or eliminated. The doors and windows could not be altered or removed, but more could be added. The ceiling height in the kitchen space could not be altered. The existing floors throughout the home are hardwood in very good condition.

Bathroom Project

J. Robert Call, 1st Place Bathroom Design Winner with the 2007 President of NKBA, Bob Garner, CMKBD.
The detached barn was the space given to provide a spa-like bathroom within the open second floor. The couple was very interested in a relaxing, carefree spa that would provide a soothing serene adult retreat.

The bathroom portion was not to exceed 160 square feet, and could be placed anywhere within the second floor. Doors, windows and the skylights were to remain without alterations or removal. The overall spa needs included a television, beverage center, dressing area and limited linen, paper, and medicine storage. The space must be equipped with handrails and a roll-in-shower for two, to accommodate visitors. Also a space would be designated for a workout area with exercise equipment and seasonal storage. They would like a lumen and aroma therapy area, with storage for personal pampering items. With a 5-car garage underneath and newly installed HVAC, the air ducts could be moved anywhere with the space. The space would be used mostly between 4-7 p.m. for 30-60 minutes each day.

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The Winners

Kitchens
1st Place Kitchen
SuChin Coutre
College of Dupage
Glen Ellyn, Ill.
2nd Place Kitchen
Michelle Wilcher
University of Georgia
Athens, Ga.
3rd Place Kitchen
Allison Marie Bradshaw
Lakeland College
Vermilion, Ab., Canada
Honorable Mention Kitchen
Alan Gilmer
University of Georgia,
Athens, Ga.
Honorable Mention Kitchen
Antonina Kennedy
Seminole Community College
Sanford, Fla.

Bathrooms
1st Place Bathroom
J. Robert Call
Weber State University
Ogden, Utah
2nd Place Bathroom
Kara Lynn Eastham
Weber State University
Ogden, Utah
3rd Place Bathroom
Allison Marie Bradshaw
Lakeland College
Vermilion, Ab., Canada
Honorable Mention Bathroom
Coleby Joyner
University of Georgia
Athens, Ga.
Honorable Mention Bathroom
Brittany Gardner
East Carolina University
Greenville, N.C.

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The Partners

American Woodmark®

For those of us that have a real passion for the kitchen and bath design industry, nothing is more exciting than to see a newcomer filled with enthusiasm for the work we love. Enthusiasm is never enough though, is it? The design work required by our industry, while highly creative, is complex and technical at its core. In order to be successful, today’s designers need not only the ability to see a space in a different and better way, but a good solid education. Because of this, we applaud NKBA’s endorsed college program and the winners we honor here at KBIS 2007.

American Woodmark Corporation is pleased to sponsor the NKBA Student Design Competition for the third year in a row. We are committed to support the education of the design super stars of tomorrow. We encourage each of you to support this educational process by starting an endorsed program in your area, hiring an intern or becoming a mentor. Our industry will only be better and richer for your effort.

The NKBA Student Design Competition as well as its Endorsed College Programs, offer unique opportunities for training and advancement of student kitchen & bath professionals. Please join me in congratulating this year’s winners for their accomplishments. Their creativity, problem solving ability and technical skills are truly amazing.

Sincerely,

Connie Edwards, CKD, CBD
Director of Design,
American Woodmark Corporation


Sub-Zero®

On behalf of Sub-Zero Freezer Company and Wolf Appliance Company, we congratulate the winners of this year’s NKBA Student Design Competition. Your selection as the best of the best is very significant and something you can be very proud to have achieved. The ability to create beautiful designs on a blank sheet of paper takes dedication, skill, training, and self confidence.

At Sub-Zero and Wolf we admire these attributes and we are proud to recognize them through this competition. It is only through developing skilled professionals that we can jointly raise the profession of kitchen and bath design in the eyes of your peers and allied associations as well as with the general public.

As leaders in manufacturing residential appliances, we understand what it takes to succeed in a competitive market. Those are the skills you have demonstrated in achieving the winning kitchens and baths and the determination you have put forth in pursuing your education.

A student’s passion for fine design, similar to our commitment to excellence, separates those individuals from others while ensuring a great future for the kitchen and bath design industry.

We look forward to seeing more beautiful student work using our award-winning products. Keep up the excellent work and if there is anything we can do for you, please let us know. Congratulations, again, and best of luck in the future.

Sincerely,

Paul G. Leuthe
Corporate Marketing Manager,
Sub-Zero Freezer Company
Wolf Appliance Company

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