How it works

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 12 April 2021. 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 $350.
Entries are final once entry fee payment is processed and the “submit entry” button is clicked.

Entries must include:

Images
Plans and elevations
Client brief
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 and logo

Great photography is the secret to the success of your entry. Winning projects have the opportunity to be featured in NKBA’s preferred magazine and other NKBA marketing and promotional activity. 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, portrait and landscape.

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 2021entries@nkba.org.nz

Floor plans, Elevations & Drawings

Please supply between 3 and 6 floor plans, elevations and/or drawings. An additional lighting plan designed and drawn by the entrant is required for the Lighting Design Award.
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.
Floor plans and elevations submitted must meet with all aspects of design practices and standards.
Plans, elevations and drawings (including details/cross sections) should be drawn to scale.
All significant room dimensions and an indication of adjoining rooms must be shown.
Relevant electrical and plumbing detail is to be shown on the plans.
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.
Maximum size is 20Mb per image.
Acceptable file formats are JPG, JPEG, TIF, TIFF, PNG and PSD files.
Hand-drawn plans are acceptable.

Design brief

A 250 word brief is required to be used for all awards marketing. There is a further option for a 500 word brief that allows entrants to provide greater detail about their entry to the judges.

Condensed version (mandatory) – up to 250 word brief will be used for all awards marketing, this version will be used verbatim so please ensure accuracy at the time of submission.
Judges version (optional) – up to 500 words will be accepted. This is your opportunity to provide more details about your entry to the judges.

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

Please supply in either doc, docx or PDF formats.

(NB, no codes required – brand and product description only)

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 2021entries@nkba.org.nz

Judging Criteria

Design Brief, Design Statement and Specification (20 points)

This is the written summary of the client’s needs, requirements and problems.

Design Brief – Clear and concise explanation (not exceeding 250 words) of client brief and site parameters, bullet points will be acceptable.
Design Statement – Clear and concise explanation for the judges (not exceeding 500 words) of how the requirements of the client brief were met, and how challenges associated with the client brief and site parameters were overcome.
PLEASE NOTE: A condensed version including both the Design Brief & Design Statement of no more than 250 words is mandatory to be submitted for marketing purposes.
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 & 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 and 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 statement.
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.
Ensure 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 and 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.

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 2021entries@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 other 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 employers membership).
Employees, contractors, or immediate family of the judges are not permitted to enter.
Entrants (or a representative from the NKBA Member) are required to attend the NKBA Conference at their own expense (compassionate exclusions apply).
Non-attendance may result in prizes being withheld (at the discretion of the NKBA).
Prizes awarded belong to the entrant.
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 12 April 2021. 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, ie. fellow designer, architect, draughtsperson, interior designer, colour or lighting consultant.
Please note on the entry form if the design is the entrants own home, immediate family members home or if the entry is in a showhome; 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 2021 NKBA awards.

If you require clarification on any of these conditions, please contact us via email at 2021entries@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 will be acknowledged wherever possible.
Entry collateral showing images and submitted content will be produced using information supplied.
A1 award boards will only be made for entrants who opt for these on the entry form and there will be an additional cost of $160 + GST per board. Artwork will be supplied to individual entrants to sign off prior to their production. This will allow for one round of corrections where deemed appropriate before final sign off. Changes will only be made in the case of incorrect information or images being displayed. No PDF files of Awards Boards will be provided to entrants who do not order a board.
NKBA (NZ) Inc. reserves the right not to publish.
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. Publication in national lifestyle and home interest magazines, including online editions of these magazines, is not permitted until after Monday 9 August, 2021.
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 and the award category sponsor.

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.

Award categories

An entry can be submitted for more than one category.

All kitchen entries will be eligible for awards in the following categories:

Supreme Kitchen Design Award 2021
Chapter Recognition Kitchen Awards 2021
Creative Excellence Kitchen Award 2021
Visual Impact Award 2021

All bathroom entries will be eligible for awards in the following categories:

Supreme Bathroom Design Award 2021
Chapter Recognition Bathroom Awards 2021
Creative Excellence Bathroom Award 2021
Visual Impact Award 2021

The following categories need to be specified upon entry (maximum of four categories may be selected per entry):

Designer of the Year Award 2021
CDS Kitchen Design Excellence Award 2021 (CDS members only)
CDS Bathroom Design Excellence Award 2021 (CDS members only)
Outstanding Renovation Kitchen or Bathroom Award 2021
First Time Entrant Award 2021
Spatial Innovation Design Award 2021 – Residential
Spatial Innovation Design Award 2021 – Commercial
Kitchen Distinction Award 2021 up to $25k
Kitchen Distinction Award 2021 $25-$40k
Kitchen Distinction Award 2021 $40-$60k
Kitchen Distinction Award 2021 $60-$80k
Kitchen Distinction Award 2021 $80-$100k
Creative Small Space Design Award 2021
Lighting Design Award 2021
Manufacturer’s Craftsmanship Award 2021

Category Descriptions

Supreme Kitchen Design Award 2021
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 manufacturer of the Supreme Kitchen Design Award 2021 will also receive acknowledgement, providing they are an NKBA Member. The winner of this award may be invited to be a judge for 2022.
Supreme Bathroom Design Award 2021
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 manufacturer of the Supreme Bathroom Design Award 2021 will also receive acknowledgement, providing they are an NKBA Member. The winner of this award may be invited to be a judge for 2022.
CDS Kitchen Design Excellence Award 2021 (CDS members only)
This category is open to financial members of the Certified Designers Society that hold current OPD points.
CDS Bathroom Design Excellence Award 2021 (CDS members only)
This category is open to financial members of the Certified Designers Society that hold current OPD points.
Designer of the Year Award 2021
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. This award is to acknowledge the designer rather than the project/s.
Outstanding Renovation Kitchen or Bathroom Award 2021
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.
Creative Excellence Bathroom Award 2021
The judges will be looking for the entry with the best overall creative design.
Creative Excellence Kitchen Award 2021
The judges will be looking for the entry with the best overall creative design.
Creative Small Space Design Award 2021 – Kitchen or 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 2021 up to $25k
Kitchen Distinction Award 2021 $25-$40k
Kitchen Distinction Award 2021 $40-$60k
Kitchen Distinction Award 2021 $60-$80k
Kitchen Distinction Award 2021 $80-$100k
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 or bathrooms that is the entrant’s own home or immediate family members home are excluded from these award categories. Showrooms and showhomes are ineligible for these awards also, please see eligibility conditions.
Visual Impact Award 2021 – Kitchen or Bathroom
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 Award 2021
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 Award 2021 – 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 Award 2021 – 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.
Lighting Design Award 2021 – Kitchen or Bathroom
This category winners lighting design will enhance the kitchen or bathroom. Entrants must have completed the lighting design and submit a lighting plan.The lighting plan must be designed and drawn by the entrant. Evidence is required i.e. night image. Judges will be looking at lighting within joinery and feature lighting. NB: Please ensure contributors are disclosed.
Chapter Recognition Awards – Kitchen and Bathroom 2021
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 and Bathroom Recognition Award 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.
Manufacturer’s Craftsmanship Award 2021
The winning design for this category will highlight innovative product application and/or use of complex manufacturing technique. Both the designer and manufacturer will be acknowledged where relevant. The manufacturer involved in this project must be an NKBA member.

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.

Entry Form

Entries to the 2021 Excellence in Design Awards are now closed.

Good luck to all of the entrants.