How it Works
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Supplying Your Material
Submissions to be entered through the online entry form below.
The online entry form allows you to upload content and save your entry for submission at a later date if you wish. Please note this doesn’t include images. These should be uploaded just prior to submission.
All entries must be submitted by 5pm on Monday 20 March 2023. No requests for additional information will be made after entries close. Please ensure you enter early and submit all relevant documentation at the time of entry.
Cost per entry is $380.
Entries are final once entry fee payment is processed and the “submit entry” button is clicked.
Entries must include:
- Images
- Plans and elevations
- Design Brief
- Design Statement
- Product specifications
- Designer headshot
- Logo
NB: Please ensure all files are labelled with the project name and the file description e.g. Coastal View, Floorplan or Coastal View, Hero Image Portrait.
NKBA takes no responsibility for files not being included in judging packs due to insufficient naming of files.
Photographs, Portrait & Logo
Great photography is the secret to the success of your entry. All entries will be featured in the new Annual NKBA Awards Entry Publication. Images will be selected based on the best layout for the publication, the order noted by the designer will be prioritised where possible. Winning projects have the opportunity to be featured in NZ Kitchens & Bathrooms Quarterly, NKBA’s preferred magazine, other NKBA marketing and promotional activity. Sponsors whose products have been used in the project are entitled to use images for promotional purposes in consultation with the entrant. Please make sure to style and dress your entry.
Project photography
Please supply up to 12 high resolution photographs of your entry. Allocation will be made for designers to specify hero shots in portrait and landscape formats.
- These must be no smaller than 300dpi at 210mm x 297mm
- Maximum size is 20Mb per image
- Acceptable file formats are JPG, JPEG, TIF, TIFF, PNG, PSD, EPS and RAW files
- Minimum recommended megapixel camera: 16MP
- For marketing purposes, allocation will be made on the entry form for designers to identify their hero images.
Designer headshot
1 x portrait/head shot photo of designer/member, to be no smaller than 300dpi at 50mm x 65mm.
Logo
Please supply the best quality version of your logo possible.
Photography service
If you require help finding a suitable photographer in your area, please contact the NKBA at 2023entries@nkba.org.nz
Floor plans, Elevations & Drawings
- Please supply floor plans, elevations and/or drawings.
- Floor plans and elevations submitted must meet with all aspects of design practices and standards.
- Plans, elevations and drawings (including details/cross sections) must be drawn to scale.
- All significant room dimensions and an indication of adjoining rooms must be shown.
- All working drawings, floor plans and elevations submitted must be no smaller than 300dpi at 210mm x 297mm.
- If anyone other than the entrant draws the plans, this must be disclosed. For the Designer of the Year Category the designer must have completed all the entry documentation themselves, including plans and elevations, brief and statement and all other entry documentation.
- Relevant electrical and plumbing detail is to be shown on the plans, ensure IP Ratings are noted where relevant.
- If the project is a renovation, please supply before and after photos of the project. Please supply existing plans of the space to show where the kitchen/bathroom was to provide context to the judges and also to show the complexity of the project. Please explain your role in the renovation project, was an architect involved?
- Plans must not contain any reference or provide any identification as to the name of the designer or project. No client or designer details included in the title block.
- Maximum size is 20Mb per image.
- Acceptable file formats are JPG, JPEG, TIF, TIFF, PDF, PNG and PSD files.
- Judges are looking for manufacturing ready plans.
- Hand-drawn plans are acceptable.
- Renders will not be viewed by the judges so please don’t include these with your entry documentation.
Design Brief – 150 words
This is your opportunity to communicate the client’s brief to you as the designer.
Please ensure that you keep it straightforward, clear and concise. Read, edit, and spell check your final brief before attaching.
Important points to include:
-
- Who is using the space?
- Family make up – how many children and their ages etc.
- How many people use the space at one time?
- How is the space used?
- Detailed wish list from client.
- Is the project a renovation or new build?
- How much of the project were you involved in? What was your role? When did you become involved?
Design Statement – 350 words
Please explain how the requirements of the brief were met, and how challenges associated with the client brief and site parameters were overcome.
Product Specifications & Brand Credits
Product specifications must be listed under the following categories:
Kitchen
- Cabinetry: brand, product name, colour, finish
- Benchtop and tapware: brand, product name, colour, finish
- Appliances: brand, product name, colour
- Hardware, lighting and accessories: brand, product name, colour
Bathroom
- Cabinetry: brand, product name, colour, finish
- Vanity top, floor and wall linings: brand, product name, colour, finish
- Fixtures and fittings: brand, product name, colour
- Hardware, lighting and accessories: brand, product name, colour
- Lighting – include IP rating for bathroom pendants
Please supply in either doc, docx or PDF formats.
Supplying Your Material
All submissions must be entered through the online entry form at awards.nkba.org.nz
If you experience any difficulty with file formats, please contact us at 2023entries@nkba.org.nz
Judging Criteria
Design Brief & Specification (20 points)
This is the written summary of the client’s needs, requirements and problems.
- Design Brief (150 words) – This is your opportunity to communicate the client’s brief to you as the designer. Bullet points are acceptable.
Important points to include:-
- Who is using the space?
- Family make up – how many children and their ages etc.
- How many people use the space at one time?
- How is the space used?
- Detailed wish list from client.
- Is the project a renovation or new build?
- How much or the project were you involved in? What was your role? When did you become involved?
-
- Design Statement – clear and concise explanation (not exceeding 350 words) how the requirements of the client brief were met, and how challenges associated with the client brief and site parameters were overcome.
- Detailed specification clearly and accurately outlining:
* Cabinetry: brand, product name, colour finish
* Benchtop and tapware: brand, product name, colour finish
* Vanity top, floor and wall linings: brand, product name, colour, finish
* Appliances: brand, product name, colour
* Hardware, lighting and accessories: brand, product name, colour
Design, Innovation & Style – Wow Factor (30 points)
The functional and practical success of the design, and the overall concept.
- Balance: sense of symmetry and balance in both layout and selection of finishes.
- Proportion and Scale: thoughtful consideration of proportion and scale with respect to the function of the space, architectural elements and finishes.
- Rhythm and Repetition: sensitive use of rhythm and repetition in line, texture and pattern.
- Emphasis: point of focus is successfully highlighted with considered use of design elements and principles.
- Unity and Harmony: effective and consistent use of all design elements to create cohesive, unified space.
- Design Innovation (Space Planning): the designer has presented a unique and innovative use of space.
- Material Innovation: the designer has used materials, processes and/or technology with originality and practicality, in a creative and professional manner.
- Design and Style Innovation (Wow Factor): does this entry convey creative excellence and unique character, does it create an emotional response?
Spatial Design, Workflow & Compliance with the NKBA Spatial Design Guidelines (20 points)
Kitchen
- Functional layout with grouping of specific zones – preparation, cooking, cleaning, serving and storage – creating logical, convenient workflow.
- Room layout is workable and convenient, enabling flow in and out of the kitchen to its associated space and adjoining rooms, without traffic conflict.
- Practical and ergonomic storage solutions allowed, including sufficient space and suitable location of waste area.
- Appropriate work triangle, with no traffic path crossing (excluding refrigerator leg). No more than one work triangle leg to be disrupted.
- Adequate space allowed between parallel benchtops.
- Adequate work area adjacent to any/all preparation sinks unless explained in the design brief.
- Suitable clearance at all entrances to kitchen; suitable cabinet and appliance door clearances within the kitchen and associated space unless explained in the design statement.
- Suitable bench landing space below or opposite appliance, excluding across a major walkway.
- Clearances from cooking surface to rangehood comply.
Bathroom
- Room layout is functional and convenient, enabling flow in and out of the bathroom to its associated space and adjoining rooms, without traffic conflict.
- Sufficient space allowed between and in front of fixtures for accessibility and washing/drying.
- Practical and ergonomic storage solutions allowed, including sufficient space and storage requirements.
- Electrical components are compliant in accordance with NZ Standards.
- Sufficient natural and/or mechanical ventilation in bathroom and adjoining space.
- General and task lighting appropriate to the use of space.
Plans, Elevations & Drawings (30 points)
Does this entry meet with all aspects of design practices and standards?
- Are the plans clear to understand?
- Are the drawings supplied of high quality and professional standard? Hand-drawn plans are acceptable.
- If anyone other than the entrant draws the plans, this must be disclosed.
- Judges will be referencing the NKBA Spatial Design Guidelines when judging plans.
- Judges are looking for manufacturing ready plans.
Important Notes
- The judges’ decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
- The judges may determine at their discretion, in accordance with the ‘Conditions of Entry’, whether any award will be issued within any category.
- Failure to adhere to the Conditions of Entry and the competition rules will result in disqualification.
- No entry fees will be refunded for disqualified entries.
- Please contact the NKBA directly with any queries: 2023entries@nkba.org.nz
Official processing and acceptance of entry submission is only undertaken once the online entry form is completed, payment processed and the “submit entry” button clicked.
Conditions of Entry
Eligibility
- Open to all current financial NKBA (NZ) members or employees of that member who have designed a Kitchen, Bathroom or Alternative Space installed in a domestic or commercial dwelling within New Zealand, including self-owned dwellings. NKBA Associate and Student Members are not eligible to enter (students employed by a financial NKBA member may enter under their employer’s membership).
- Employees, contractors, colleagues or immediate family of the judges are not permitted to enter.
- Kitchens and bathrooms within showrooms or commercial spaces are eligible only for entry in the Spatial Innovation Award – Commercial Category.
Conditions
- All entries must be fully submitted (including completion of payment) by 5pm on Monday 20 March 2023. No late entries will be accepted.
- All designs submitted into this competition must be the work of the designer/member entering.
- Please note on the entry form ANY involvement in the project by a contributor, i.e. fellow designer, architect, draughtsperson, interior designer, colour or lighting consultant.
- Please note on the entry form if the design is the entrant’s own home, immediate family member’s home or if the entry is in a show home; these are eligible for entry (excluding the Kitchen Distinction Award Category), however disclosure is necessary.
- All entrants are free to use their entries in any printed material produced for promotion by their own company/group e.g. local newspapers, brochures, in-house printed materials, publication on their own company/group website and social media activity as long as no reference is made to the entry being submitted into the 2023 NKBA Excellence in Design Awards. Publication in national lifestyle and home interest magazines, including online editions of these magazines, is not permitted until after Monday 3 July, 2023.
- The design entry cannot have been previously entered into any other awards programme. Entry into any other awards programme is not permitted until after Monday 3 July, 2023.
- Entrants (or a representative from the NKBA Member) are required to attend the NKBA Awards at their own expense (compassionate exclusions apply).
- Non-attendance may result in prizes being withheld (at the discretion of the NKBA).
If you require clarification on any of these conditions, please contact us via email at 2023entries@nkba.org.nz
Ownership/Publication/Media
- All entry material including, but not limited to, photos, product specifications, plans and design briefs may be used by the NKBA (NZ) Inc for ongoing marketing and promotional activity. Designers and photographers will be acknowledged wherever possible.
- Sponsors whose products have been used in an entry are entitled to use images for promotional purposes in consultation with the entrant. Designers and photographers will be acknowledged wherever possible.
- Entry collateral showing images and submitted content will be produced using information supplied.
- All entries will be featured in an NKBA awards publication. Images will be selected based on the best layout for the publication, the order noted by the designer will be prioritised where possible.
- NKBA (NZ) Inc. reserves the right not to publish.
- Non-member names will be excluded in any publication of awards.
- Award winners may be required to speak briefly, pose for photographs and/or conduct media interviews both on the awards night and post awards. This activity will be to promote the designer and support the awards category.
- Prizes and trophies awarded belong to the entrant. Certificates awarded belong to the business.
Judging
- The judging process is anonymous with judges seeing all submitted awards entry content.
- Judges’ decisions are final, and no correspondence will be entered into.
- As outlined in the ‘Judging Criteria’, whether an award is presented in any category is at the judges’ discretion.
Prizes
The total prize pool is valued at over $17K.
All entrants will receive:
- a double page spread in NKBA 2023 Awards Publication.
- exposure on NKBA social media including Facebook and Instagram.
Designer of the Year Winner will also receive:
- $2000 cash
- a double page winners feature in NKBA 2024 Awards Publication.
- PR in local and national publications including print, online and radio.
Supreme Kitchen Winner will also receive:
- $1500 cash
- front Cover of Digital NKBA Awards Publication.
- PR in local and national publications including print, online and radio.
Supreme Bathroom Winner will also receive:
- $1500 cash
- PR in local and national publications including print, online and radio.
NKBA Sponsors no longer sponsor specific awards or offer prizes for winners.
Award Categories
An entry can be submitted for more than one category.
All entries will be eligible for awards in the following categories:
- DNKBA Kitchen Design – in the relevant tier
- DNKBA Bathroom Design – in the relevant tier
- Visual Impact
All kitchen entries will be eligible for awards in the following categories:
- Supreme Kitchen Design
- Creative Excellence Kitchen Design
- People’s Choice Kitchen
All bathroom entries will be eligible for awards in the following categories:
- Supreme Bathroom Design
- Creative Excellence Bathroom Design
- People’s Choice Bathroom
Designer of the Year Category:
- Entrants who enter more than one entry are eligible for inclusion in the Designer of the Year Category.
For the Designer of the Year Category the designer must have completed all the entry documentation themselves, including plans and elevations, brief and statement and all other entry documentation. The two winning entries of the Designer of the Year award are ineligible to win any other award, other than Supreme Bathroom and/or Supreme Kitchen.
Note: this is additional to the limit of four additional categories below.
The following categories need to be specified upon entry (maximum of four categories may be selected per entry):
- Outstanding Renovation Kitchen/Bathroom
- First Time Entrant
- Spatial Innovation Design – Residential
- Spatial Innovation Design – Commercial
- Kitchen Distinction Award – under $30
- Kitchen Distinction Award – $30-$60k
- Kitchen Distinction Award – $60-$90k
- Kitchen Distinction Award – $90-$120k
- Kitchen Distinction Award – $120k+
- Bathroom Distinction Award – under $50k
- Bathroom Distinction Award – $50k+
- Creative Small Space Design
- Character Kitchen Design
Category Descriptions
- Supreme Kitchen Design
This category winner will have displayed overall exceptional design processes – outstanding brief, design and concept, style, plans and specifications. This is the entry judged to be the overall ultimate winning entry from all valid kitchen entries. The designer who wins this category is ineligible to win the Chapter Recognition category with any entry. The winning entry of this category is ineligible to win any other award, other than Designer of the Year. The manufacturer of the Supreme Kitchen Design Award will also receive acknowledgement, providing they are an NKBA Member. The winner of this award may be invited to be a judge for 2024. - Supreme Bathroom Design
This category winner will have displayed overall exceptional design processes – outstanding brief, design and concept, style, plans and specifications. This is the entry judged to be the overall ultimate winning entry from all valid bathroom entries. The designer who wins this category is ineligible to win the Chapter Recognition category with any entry. The winning entry of this category is ineligible to win any other award, other than Designer of the Year. The manufacturer of the Supreme Bathroom Design Award will also receive acknowledgement, providing they are an NKBA Member. The winner of this award may be invited to be a judge for 2024. - DNKBA Kitchen Design (Elite, Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze)
This category is open to Designers of NKBA that hold current CPD points. - DNKBA Bathroom Design (Elite, Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze)
This category is open to Designers of NKBA that hold current CPD points. - Designer of the Year
This category winner will have entered a minimum of two design entries and received the highest points in sum total (of their top two entries only) by the judges. For the Designer of the Year Category the designer must have completed all the entry documentation themselves, including plans and elevations, brief and statement and all other entry documentation. The two winning entries of the Designer of the Year award are ineligible to win any other award, other than Supreme Bathroom and/or Supreme Kitchen. This award is to acknowledge the designer rather than the project/s. - Outstanding Renovation Kitchen/Bathroom
The category winner will be either a kitchen or a bathroom. This is your opportunity to showcase the difference that can be made by a kitchen or bathroom transformation. The judging criteria will stand for this entry for brief, design & concept, style and plans, plus your entry will epitomise the art of recreating the space. NB To be eligible for this category before and after photos must be included with your entry. Please supply existing plans of the space to show where the kitchen/bathroom was to provide context to the judges and also to show the complexity of the project. - Creative Excellence Bathroom
The judges will be looking for the entry with the best overall creative design. - Creative Excellence Kitchen
The judges will be looking for the entry with the best overall creative design. - Creative Small Space Design – Kitchen/Bathroom
Measurements must be taken from finished wall to finished wall and include island space if applicable. If the island or breakfast bar return has seating, then 700mm must be added to the room depth at this point. Bathroom size must not exceed 6m2. Kitchen size must not exceed 10m2. - Kitchen Distinction Award – under $30k
- Kitchen Distinction Award – $30-$60k
- Kitchen Distinction Award – $60-$90k
- Kitchen Distinction Award – $90-$120k
- Kitchen Distinction Award – $120k+
The price must represent the entire value of the kitchen including GST, materials, cabinetry and benchtop materials, manufacturing and installation. Excluding the design fee, appliances and other sub trades, for example plumber, builder and electrician.
Validation of cost must include either a signed quotation from the kitchen designer or manufacturer or a copy of the final invoice costs, verified on a signed declaration. Invoice needs to include all major components itemised. NB: any kitchens that are in the entrant’s own home or immediate family member’s home are excluded from these award categories. Showrooms and show homes are ineligible for these awards also, please see eligibility conditions. - Bathroom Distinction Award – under $50k
- Bathroom Distinction Award – $50k+
The price must represent the entire value of the bathroom including GST, all materials, all fixtures and fittings (basin, shower head, bath filler, toilet, mixers), tiles and tiling, lighting materials, cabinetry and benchtop materials (where applicable), manufacturing and installation. Excluding the design fee, other sub trades for example plumber, builder and electrician. Validation of cost must include either a signed quotation from the bathroom designer or manufacturer or a copy of the final invoice costs, verified on a signed declaration. Invoice needs to include all major components itemised. NB: any bathrooms that are in the entrant’s own home or immediate family member’s home are excluded from these award categories. Showrooms and show homes are ineligible for these awards also, please see eligibility conditions. - Visual Impact
The winner of this category is the entry judged to have used the most effective application of colour or the most creative use of colour from all valid entries. - First Time Entrant
You must tick and opt-in to be included in this category. It is open to designers who are entering for the first time. - Spatial Innovation Design – Residential
The winning design for this category will be a laundry, outdoor kitchen, powder room, bar, media room, pool room or other space. Any space excluding interior kitchens or bathrooms. - Spatial Innovation Design – Commercial
The winning design for this category will be a kitchen, bathroom, laundry, outdoor kitchen, powder room, bar, media room, pool room or other space within a showroom or commercial space.
- Character Kitchen Design
This category winner will be a kitchen and the winning design will consistently reflect the character of the home where the design features, honouring the style of the property. Judges will be looking for attention to detail.
- Chapter Recognition – Kitchen/Bathroom/Alternative Space
This category is to acknowledge the top entry in each of the nine NKBA Chapters (Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Hawke’s Bay, Taranaki, Wellington, Top of the South, Canterbury and Southern). A separate Kitchen/Bathroom/Alternative Space Recognition may be awarded within each Chapter. This will depend on entries received and points allocated. Points need to be attained to be eligible for an award. Any chapter with over 15 entries is eligible for a second award. All entries from the winning designer(s) of the Supreme Kitchen, Supreme Bathroom and Designer of the Year awards are ineligible to win Chapter Recognition. - People’s Choice Kitchen/Bathroom
This category provides the opportunity for the public to decide their favourite kitchen and bathroom. The winners of this award will be decided by public vote only. All entries submitted into the NKBA Excellence in Design Awards are eligible for this award. NKBA will confirm with all entrants prior to the public vote commencing for this award.
The conditions of this entry form the rules of the competition and failure to follow these will mean disqualification – no entry fees will be refunded for disqualified entries.
If any NKBA member considers that a design entered may be in breach of Awards Entry Terms and Conditions, this must be notified to an NKBA Board member in writing no later than two weeks prior to the awards being announced. Any decision to include or exclude the entry will be assessed, including whether the judging process was unduly influenced, and ruled on by the Executive Committee. All decisions will be final, and no further correspondence entered into.