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IIDA Will Ching Design Competition

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Competitions Awards Overview

The Will Ching Design Competition honors originality and excellence in commercial design from firms with ten (10) or fewer employees. Established in 1993, this annual competition offers smaller firms the recognition and acclaim that is often reserved for larger firms and corporations.

Who Should Submit

This competition is open to participants worldwide, for projects completed within the last two (2) calendar years.

Why Should I Submit?
Enter for the chance to have your work evaluated by world-renowned interior designers and architects like Leyden Lewis, Alessandro Munge, Krista Ninivaggi. 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 will be honored at Revel in Design, IIDA’s annual design celebration kicking off Chicago Design Week (NeoCon and Fulton Market Design Days), on June 7, 2026! Winners will be featured on IIDA.org, published in Interior Design magazine, and in an official press release distributed to leading industry outlets and media partners.

When
This competition is open annually December through February—check back in December for more information about next year’s competition.

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

2026 Winner’s Celebration at REVEL

Dinner table with vibrant red poppy centerpieces, glowing votive candles, wine glasses, plates and award cards beneath warm ambient lights.
IIDA 2026 Revel in Design

Christ Stilts

Woman in a sleeveless bright blue dress stands confidently before a hot pink stage curtain, hands clasped, awards on a small table beside her.
IIDA 2026 Revel in Design

Christ Stilts

Black-and-white IIDA 52nd award labeled 2026 Best of Competition on an orange velvet table, with blurred plates, glasses and red bokeh.
IIDA 2026 Revel in Design

Christ Stilts

Two presenters stand at a clear podium with a pink curtain backdrop; a woman smiles while a man with gray hair and glasses raises an award.
IDC 2026 Best of Competition Winner One Plus Partnership Limited

Christ Stilts

A man with gray hair and sunglasses and a smiling woman in a black dress stand at a podium, holding an award against pink curtains.
IDC 2026 Best of Competition Winner One Plus Partnership Limited

Christ Stilts

Tall black award plaque labeled IIDA Will Ching Design Competition stands on an orange tablecloth amid colorful bokeh and tableware.
IIDA 2026 Revel in Design

Christ Stilts

Smiling man in a black tuxedo and bow tie accepts a triangular award at a podium, red curtains and projection screen behind him.
IIDA 2026 Will Ching Best of Competition Winner STUDIO THO

Christ Stilts

Tall matte black wood award engraved 'IIDA Best of Chicago Design Week 2026' standing on an orange velvet tablecloth with blurred bokeh.
IIDA 2026 Revel in Design

Christ Stilts

Two smiling men pose before a red curtain, one in a navy blazer holding a black award while the other rests a hand on his shoulder.
IIDA 2026 Best of Chicago Design Week Winner Takeform

Christ Stilts

Woman in a black sleeveless dress smiles while holding an award plaque before a bright fuchsia curtain beside a small draped table.
IIDA 2026 IDC Category Winner Perkins&Will

Christ Stilts

Two smiling women stand before a red curtain; one in a floral dress cradles an award plaque, the other wears a sleeveless turquoise gown.
IIDA 2026 IDC Category Winner Allison Burke Interior Design

Christ Stilts

Smiling brunette woman in an olive sleeveless dress holds a framed award booklet labeled WINNER, standing before a bright pink curtain.
IIDA 2026 IDC Category Winner Meyer Davis

Christ Stilts

Bearded man in a black suit and tie speaks at a clear lectern with dual microphones, colorful projection and red curtains in background.
IIDA 2026 IDC Category Winner SCB

Christ Stilts

Smiling red-haired woman in a cream satin blouse stands with a bearded man in a black suit holding a framed 'Winner' award, red curtain.
IIDA 2026 IDC Category Winner SCB

Christ Stilts

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2026 Will Ching Design Competition Winner

A stylish bathroom features a vintage sink with a curtain, ornate mirror, and warm lighting, complemented by floral arrangements.
Fishbar by STUDIO THO

Photo by Aman Shakya

Elegant restaurant interior featuring wooden furniture, soft lighting, and decorative wall textures, creating a warm atmosphere.
Fishbar by STUDIO THO

Photo by Aman Shakya

Warmly lit dining area featuring wooden tables adorned with small plants and elegant candle holders against dark walls.
Fishbar by STUDIO THO

Photo by Aman Shakya

Soft, warm lighting casts a cozy glow over a bar with elegant decor, featuring round lamps, wooden shelves, and inviting seating.
Fishbar by STUDIO THO

Photo by Aman Shakya

A stylish restaurant interior features softly lit tables with elegant lamps, creating a cozy atmosphere for dining. Decorative plants add charm.
Fishbar by STUDIO THO

Photo by Aman Shakya

A lavish restaurant interior features a large, woven fish lantern hanging above a stylish bar, with dim lighting and elegant decor.
Fishbar by STUDIO THO

Photo by Aman Shakya

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2026 Jurors

Smiling woman with shoulder-length platinum blonde hair, wearing a black turtleneck, neutral background and a warm expression.
Mari Balestrazzi
Former Global Director of Architecture and Interior Design
Airbnb
Bald, bespectacled smiling man in navy button-up and white tee sits by a tall black-framed window, warm natural light on his face.
David Galullo
CEO and Chief Creative Officer
RAPT
Smiling older woman with slicked-back gray hair and black glasses, wearing gold earrings and a high-collared black jacket, arms crossed.
Patricia Rotondo, IIDA
Founder and Design Lead
Archiflux

View the 2025 Winners Gallery
View the 2024 Winners Gallery

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