Thank You for an Exceptional Competition
Since 2019, America's top designers have submitted their most exceptional, innovative, and inspired creations to the Kitchen Design Challenge. We have officially closed entries to the competition in order for our judges to begin the review process and the difficult task of selecting the recipients of $110,000 in total winnings.
Winner announcements will be made on this page
$110,000
IN TOTAL PRIZE WINNINGS
EXCEPTIONAL
KITCHEN
$25K
1 Grand Prize Exceptional
Kitchen Award
$15K
1 2nd Place Exceptional
Kitchen Award
$10K
1 3rd Place Exceptional
Kitchen Award
SPECIAL
CATEGORY
$5K
1 Compact Kitchen Suite Award
$5K
1 Original Innovator Award
$5K
1 Student Design
DETAILSELIGIBILITY
ELIGIBILTY REQUIREMENTS:
Open to professional designers, architects, builders, remodelers and kitchen dealers.
Individual, team and company entries will be accepted.
No limit to the number of eligible kitchen entries that can be submitted.
KITCHEN DESIGN REQUIREMENTS:
Kitchen design must include Thermador appliances.
(Eligibility details for each prize category listed within official rules.)
All design and construction must be fully completed within the contest period of
January 1, 2017 through February 28, 2022.
ENTRIES MUST INCLUDE ALL OF THE FOLLOWING:
A headshot of the entrant.
A minimum of three high-resolution photographs of the completed kitchen design in .jpg format.
A written narrative describing your kitchen design.
ENTRY CATEGORIES
Explore each category to learn about the unique requirements for each design.
There is no limit to the number of entries a contestant or team can submit.
EXCEPTIONAL
KITCHEN
Design a kitchen using only Thermador brand appliances or products with the exception of appliances not offered by Thermador.
- Include at least three (3) primary Thermador products
- A kitchen may utilize non-Thermador brand appliances or products only if Thermador does not offer a similar appliance or product
- Follow all official design guidelines
COMPACT
KITCHEN
SUITE
Craft a culinary space smaller than 200 square feet.
- Include at least three (3) primary Thermador products
- Follow all official design guidelines
ORIGINAL
INNOVATOR
Design a space that is outside of the kitchen.
- Use at least two (2) Thermador appliances
- The space cannot be designated as a primary kitchen
- Follow all official design guidelines
STUDENT
CONCEPT
KITCHEN
Design an exceptional kitchen space that is both functional and beautiful, for a hypothetical client.
- Kitchen should be a minimum of 200 square feet
- Project must have a maximum budget of $250,000
- Design must include at least three (3) primary Thermador appliances
- Follow all official design guidelines
COMPETITION TIMELINE
NOW
Register & Submit Entries
FEB
Last day for submissions is
February 28, 2022
MAR - AUG
Judging in progress
SEPT
Winners are selected
and notified
RULES & REGULATIONS
For a complete overview of the full official rules and regulations click below to download
Turnkey Challenge Solutions Powered by Skild®EXCEPTIONAL KITCHEN
REQUIREMENTS
To be eligible for an Exceptional Kitchen prize, the kitchen design must include at least three (3) primary Thermador appliances within the Cooking, Refrigeration & Dishwasher categories:
Cooking (1 of the following)
— Any Thermador Range
— A Thermador Cooking Package including either a Cooktop or Rangetop and a Built-in Wall Oven
Refrigeration (1 of the following as main food preservation unit)*
— Any Thermador Built-in or Freestanding Bottom Freezer Refrigerator
— 2 or more Thermador Freedom® Columns*
*Thermador Wine Storage units do not meet the primary food preservation unit requirement.
Dishwasher
— 1 or more Thermador Dishwashers
The following exceptions may be made:
— A kitchen may utilize non-Thermador brand appliances if Thermador does not offer a similar appliance or product (e.g. 36” dishwasher, dishwasher drawers, etc.).
— A kitchen may utilize non-Thermador brand appliances if the kitchen design includes at least six (6) Thermador appliances within the Cooking, Refrigeration & Dishwasher categories
*For details and complete Official Rules, click here.
COMPACT KITCHEN SUITE
REQUIREMENTS
Kitchen space must be smaller than 200 square feet and must include at least 3 primary Thermador products within the Cooking, Refrigeration & Dishwasher categories. Additional Thermador appliances beyond these requirements may be added:
Cooking (1 of the following)
— Any 30" or 36" Thermador Range
— A Thermador Cooking Package including either a Cooktop or Rangetop and a Built-in Wall Oven
Refrigeration (1 of the following as main food preservation unit)*
— Any Thermador Built-in or Freestanding Bottom Freezer Refrigerator
— 2 or more Thermador Freedom® Columns*
— 2 or more Thermador Under-counter Units, and no full-size competitive refrigeration units*
*Thermador Wine Storage units do not meet the primary food preservation unit requirement.
Dishwasher
— Any Thermador Dishwasher
*For details and complete Official Rules, click here.
ORIGINAL INNOVATOR/OUT OF THE BOX
REQUIREMENTS
Design a space that is outside of the kitchen using Thermador appliances. The space cannot be designated as a primary kitchen.
Examples of qualifying spaces include, but are not limited to:
— Vanity, 'ClOffice' (Closet – Office), Wet Bar, Gym, Media Room, Master Suite, Bathroom, Guest House, Butler's Pantry, Wine Cellar, Game Room, 'Man-Cave', 'She-Den', Pool House, etc.
Entries must include the following in one room or designated space:
At least 2 Thermador products within the following categories:
— Refrigeration, Wine Preservation, Under-Counter Refrigeration, Coffee, Warming Drawer, MicroDrawer, Speed Oven, Dishwasher
*For details and complete Official Rules, click here.
STUDENT CONCEPT KITCHEN
REQUIREMENTS
Design an exceptional kitchen space, that is both functional and beautiful, for a hypothetical client. Kitchen should be a minimum of 200 square feet with a maximum budget of $250,000. Only individual students (no teams) may enter the Contest online during the Entry Period.
— The kitchen design must include at least three (3) primary Thermador appliances within the Cooking, Refrigeration & Dishwasher categories. Additional Thermador appliances are encouraged
— Renderings should be submitted as high-res .jpg files and can be no larger than 20 MB.
— Write a narrative (max 3,000 characters) to provide background information about your hypothetical client, objectives, design challenges, etc.
*For details and complete Official Rules, click here.
EXCEPTIONAL KITCHEN
NATIONAL WINNERS
$25K
1 Grand Prize Winner (Any Kitchen Style) chosen from 44 regional winners.
$15K
1 2nd Place Winner (Any Kitchen Style) chosen from 44 regional winners
$10K
1 3rd Place Winner (Any Kitchen Style) chosen from 44 regional winners
National prizes include a trip for two in 2022 and national print and digital coverage of the winning design.*
*For details and complete Official Rules, click here.
SELECTION OF WINNERS
The Judges will select six (6) Exceptional Kitchen Regional Prize Winners from each of the six regions (as defined by the Sponsor), and eight (8) Exceptional Kitchen Regional Honorable Mention Prize Winners. National Exceptional Kitchen winners will be chosen from the 44 regional winners. National winners will include one (1) Grand Prize Winner, one (1) Second Place Winner, and one (1) Third Prize Winner for Exceptional Kitchen. One (1) Designer’s Choice Winner, selected by winners via virtual awards celebration. The judges will also select one (1) winner from all entries (any region) for each of the following: Compact Kitchen Suite, Original Innovator/Out of the Box Space, and Student Concept Kitchen. Additional prizes will be awarded for Fan Favorites.
All Entries will be reviewed for compliance with the program parameters prior to being judged. Each eligible Entry will be judged based on the judging criteria set forth below (“Judging Criteria”). Winners will be required to certify, on information or belief, that their work is their original creation, and it has not won any other awards from Thermador. Decisions of the Judges and Sponsor are final for all matters relating to this Contest. Regional winners will be announced in the Spring of 2022 and National winners will be announced in the Summer of 2022 (dates to be determined by Sponsor).
JUDGING CRITERIA: Eligible entries will be judged based on adherence to assignment, best use of Thermador appliances which includes overall visual appeal, creativity and strong elements and principles of design.
SPECIAL CATEGORY
NATIONAL WINNERS
$5K
1 Compact Kitchen Suite Winner (Any Kitchen Style)
$5K
1 Original Innovator/Out of the Box Winner
$5K
1 Student Winner (Kitchen Concept)
National prizes include a trip for two in 2022 and national print and digital coverage of the winning design.*
*For details and complete Official Rules, click here.
SELECTION OF WINNERS
The Judges will select six (6) Exceptional Kitchen Regional Prize Winners from each of the six regions (as defined by the Sponsor), and eight (8) Exceptional Kitchen Regional Honorable Mention Prize Winners. National Exceptional Kitchen winners will be chosen from the 44 regional winners. National winners will include one (1) Grand Prize Winner, one (1) Second Place Winner, and one (1) Third Prize Winner for Exceptional Kitchen. One (1) Designer’s Choice Winner, selected by winners via virtual awards celebration. The judges will also select one (1) winner from all entries (any region) for each of the following: Compact Kitchen Suite, Original Innovator/Out of the Box Space, and Student Concept Kitchen. Additional prizes will be awarded for Fan Favorites.
All Entries will be reviewed for compliance with the program parameters prior to being judged. Each eligible Entry will be judged based on the judging criteria set forth below (“Judging Criteria”). Winners will be required to certify, on information or belief, that their work is their original creation, and it has not won any other awards from Thermador. Decisions of the Judges and Sponsor are final for all matters relating to this Contest. Regional winners will be announced in the Spring of 2022 and National winners will be announced in the Summer of 2022 (dates to be determined by Sponsor).
JUDGING CRITERIA: Eligible entries will be judged based on adherence to assignment, best use of Thermador appliances which includes overall visual appeal, creativity and strong elements and principles of design.
EXCEPTIONAL KITCHEN
REGIONAL WINNERS
$1K
6 Winners from each of the Defined Regions (36) (Any Kitchen Style)
$500
8 Honorable Mention Winners (Any Style, Any Region)
Regional prizes include a trip for two in 2022 and national print and digital coverage of the winning design.*
*For details and complete Official Rules, click here.
SELECTION OF WINNERS
The Judges will select six (6) Exceptional Kitchen Regional Prize Winners from each of the six regions (as defined by the Sponsor), and eight (8) Exceptional Kitchen Regional Honorable Mention Prize Winners. National Exceptional Kitchen winners will be chosen from the 44 regional winners. National winners will include one (1) Grand Prize Winner, one (1) Second Place Winner, and one (1) Third Prize Winner for Exceptional Kitchen. One (1) Designer’s Choice Winner, selected by winners via virtual awards celebration. The judges will also select one (1) winner from all entries (any region) for each of the following: Compact Kitchen Suite, Original Innovator/Out of the Box Space, and Student Concept Kitchen. Additional prizes will be awarded for Fan Favorites.
All Entries will be reviewed for compliance with the program parameters prior to being judged. Each eligible Entry will be judged based on the judging criteria set forth below (“Judging Criteria”). Winners will be required to certify, on information or belief, that their work is their original creation, and it has not won any other awards from Thermador. Decisions of the Judges and Sponsor are final for all matters relating to this Contest. Regional winners will be announced in the Spring of 2022 and National winners will be announced in the Summer of 2022 (dates to be determined by Sponsor).
JUDGING CRITERIA: Eligible entries will be judged based on adherence to assignment, best use of Thermador appliances which includes overall visual appeal, creativity and strong elements and principles of design.
DESIGNER'S CHOICE
WINNER
$5K
1 Designer’s Choice winner chosen from 44 regional winners
National prizes include a trip for two in 2022 and national print and digital coverage of the winning design.*
*For details and complete Official Rules, click here.
SELECTION OF WINNERS
The Judges will select six (6) Exceptional Kitchen Regional Prize Winners from each of the six regions (as defined by the Sponsor), and eight (8) Exceptional Kitchen Regional Honorable Mention Prize Winners. National Exceptional Kitchen winners will be chosen from the 44 regional winners. National winners will include one (1) Grand Prize Winner, one (1) Second Place Winner, and one (1) Third Prize Winner for Exceptional Kitchen. One (1) Designer’s Choice Winner, selected by winners via virtual awards celebration. The judges will also select one (1) winner from all entries (any region) for each of the following: Compact Kitchen Suite, Original Innovator/Out of the Box Space, and Student Concept Kitchen. Additional prizes will be awarded for Fan Favorites.
All Entries will be reviewed for compliance with the program parameters prior to being judged. Each eligible Entry will be judged based on the judging criteria set forth below (“Judging Criteria”). Winners will be required to certify, on information or belief, that their work is their original creation, and it has not won any other awards from Thermador. Decisions of the Judges and Sponsor are final for all matters relating to this Contest. Regional winners will be announced in the Spring of 2022 and National winners will be announced in the Summer of 2022 (dates to be determined by Sponsor).
JUDGING CRITERIA: Eligible entries will be judged based on adherence to assignment, best use of Thermador appliances which includes overall visual appeal, creativity and strong elements and principles of design.
JOIN THE 2019-2021
KITCHEN DESIGN CHALLENGE
ELIGIBILITY
NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. For all Professional categories, entrants must be professional designers, architects, builders, remodelers or kitchen dealers (i.e., persons who are paid for residential kitchen design services). The design and construction of all entries must have been completed in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 or 2021. The Student category is open to students who completed the kitchen design project while enrolled at an accredited college or university and/or an NKBA program in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, or 2021. There is no limit to the number of entries. All entrants must be legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia and must meet the eligibility criteria set forth below. Sponsor reserves the sole right to determine eligibility.
Open to individual legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia, who are 18 years of age or older at the time of entry. Not open to the general public. Employees, contractors, directors and officers of BSH Home Appliances Corporation (“Sponsor”), its parent, subsidiary and affiliated companies, distributors, web design, advertising, fulfillment, judging and contest agencies involved in the administration, development, fulfillment and execution of this Contest (collectively, “Contest Parties”), and the immediate family members (spouse, parent, child, sibling, grandparent, and spouse or “step” of each) and those living in the same households of each such individuals (those persons whether related or not who live in the same residence for at least three months during the twelve-month period preceding the start date of the Contest) are not eligible to participate. Sponsor reserves the sole right to determine eligibility. Void where prohibited.
Entry Requirements – Professional Categories
ALL PROFESSIONAL CATEGORIES: Design and build a fully functional kitchen or “Original Innovator/Out of the Box Space (“Space”)” featuring Thermador brand appliances or products (“Kitchen Design”). The Kitchen/Space must be designed, and the construction fully completed within the Contest Period. Individuals, Companies and Teams may enter the Contest online during the Entry Period.
- A Kitchen Design may be entered into multiple professional categories (Exceptional Kitchen, Compact Kitchen, and Original Innovator/Out of the Box Space), providing it meets the criteria for each category.
- A minimum of three (3) digital photographs must be submitted and a maximum of ten (10) digital photographs will be accepted. Do not submit CGI images or renderings. Only digital photographs are allowed.
- Professional photography is encouraged, but not required. Entrants can meet the photo requirements using a DSLR camera, a point and shoot digital camera or a mobile device, such as iPhone.
- If you choose to shoot your own photography or ask your client to shoot the photography, keep these tips in mind to showcase your completed design:
- Photos should be taken at the highest resolution possible on your device
- Shoot when the kitchen has lots of natural light
- Make sure the photos are clear and focused
- Watch out for harsh shadows, reflections and light flares
- Make sure no people are included in the shots
- Remove clutter from the countertops
- Arrange props and accessories in a pleasing way
- If appliances have custom panels, shoot at least one image with the appliance door(s) open
- Primary images should be overall shots of the kitchen or “original innovator” space (rather than close-ups of the appliances)
- Shoot a lot of photos at various perspectives, then choose the best images for your entry
- Elevations or CAD drawings will not be accepted without photographs of the kitchen. However, elevations and CAD drawings may be included in addition to photographs of the completed design.
- Photographs and supporting CAD drawings must be submitted as high-res .jpg files and can be no larger than 20 MB.
- Write a narrative (max 3,000 characters) which provides background information on the project. Narratives must be written in English.
*For details and complete Official Rules, click here.