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IIDA Student Design Competition

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Competitions Awards Overview

Submission Information

Submissions are now closed.

Important Dates

Submissions Open Monday, January 04, 2027
Submissions Close Monday, February 08, 2027

Sponsored by OFS and Carolina, the IIDA Student Design Competitions honors design concepts from students throughout the world who are currently enrolled in an interior design or interior architecture program or institution. Established in 2013, this competition has become an essential part of interior design curriculum for college or university professors worldwide, as they include the project in their courses, or encourage their students to apply as independent study.

Who Should Submit?
This competition is open to current interior design and architecture students.

Why Should I Submit?
Enter for the chance to have your work evaluated by world-renowned interior designers and architects like Lilliana Alvarado, IIDA, Alexandra Bonner, IIDA, and Corey Cappello. Projects are judged on excellence in aesthetics, design, creativity, and function as well as the suitability of the design solution to the project challenge and the successful integration of the elements of design.

Winners are featured on IIDA.org, recognized in the spring issues of the QUAD and Design Matters newsletters, and in an official press release distributed to leading industry outlets and media partners. OFS provides the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners with a financial prize of $2,500, $1,500, and $750 respectively.

When
This competition is open annually, January through February —

The 2026 IIDA Student Design Competition design brief is now available here.

You can view the 2026 Student Competition FAQ/Clarifying Questions here.

To be notified directly when this competition opens, contact IIDA Design Competitions Manager Veronica Whitaker at competitions@iida.org.

2026 First Place Winner

A modern staff lounge features calming colors, a sleek kitchen area, and comfortable seating, promoting relaxation and collaboration.

Uplift Primary Care Clinic by Deborah Wroblewsk, George Washington University

A modern care team station features soft lighting, a sleek reception desk, and a welcoming environment for healthcare staff and patients.
A modern exam room featuring transom windows, a patient chair, and custom cabinetry that separates patient and provider areas.
A modern sensory room featuring calming colors, cozy seating, and natural light, designed to promote comfort and sensory well-being.
A modern waiting area featuring abstract ceiling designs inspired by eagle migration, with thin-legged furniture enhancing openness.
A modern reception area features a custom wall design inspired by birds in flight, soothing lighting, and elegant privacy screens.
A collection of materials featuring various textures and colors, including wood, fabrics, and stone, arranged in a cohesive design layout.
Floor plan illustration of a staff area, featuring workstations, a kitchen space, meeting areas, and seating arrangements.
Detailed floor plan of a clinic layout, showcasing examination rooms, waiting areas, and administrative spaces in an organized design.
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2026 Jurors

A woman with short, spiked hair and oversized black glasses smiles warmly, wearing a black top against a soft blue backdrop.

Viveca Bissonnette, FIIDA
CEO, Founder, Design Principal
Hollander Design Group

A woman with curly hair smiles while wearing a blue dress with ruffled sleeves, seated in a bright, modern office space.

Kelley Dorsett, IIDA
Senior Designer, Interiors, HDR

A woman with long, dark, dreadlocked hair smiles warmly while wearing large glasses and a floral black and yellow blouse against a plain background.
Tara Headley, IIDA
Senior Designer, Hendrick
A smiling woman with long, layered brown hair stands in an indoor setting, wearing an olive green shirt. Natural light brightens the background.
Lauren Morgan
Director of Marketing and Healthcare, Carolina (an OFS company)
A man with gray hair and a slight smile stands confidently, wearing a dark button-up shirt against a neutral background.
Jim Thompson, IIDA, AIA
Design Partner, Little Diversified Architectural Consulting

View the 2025 Student Design Competitions winning projects here
View the 2024 Student Design Competitions winning projects here

Sign up for Designed for Excellence, the bi-weekly newsletter dedicated to IIDA competitions and awards updates, plus news on events, celebrations, and award-winning design projects.

For questions and more information regarding IIDA Design Awards and Competitions, please contact competitions@iida.org.

With 11 annual and one biennial competitions, IIDA awards projects spanning global regions, firm size, categories/types, student work, and product and showroom design. Interior design and architecture firms of all sizes, including women and minority-owned businesses are welcome to apply.

2026 Winners Announced