The International Interior Design Association (IIDA) is thrilled to announce the 12th annual Student Design Competition (SDC) for 2025! Sponsored by OFS and Carolina, this globally recognized competition is your chance to showcase your innovative design talents and gain exposure within the interior design industry.

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About the Competition

The IIDA Student Design Competition celebrates the creativity and fresh perspectives of design students worldwide. Open to both undergraduate and graduate students currently enrolled in interior design or interior architecture programs, the competition provides emerging professionals with an opportunity to make their mark.

For the 2025 edition, participants are tasked with designing critical areas within a new adult inpatient behavioral unit located in Denver, Colorado. This newly constructed facility, set to open in Fall 2025, will offer comprehensive care for adults aged 18 and above, focusing on healing, safety, and optimized interactions among patients, families, and staff.

Design Scope

Your design will include a variety of spaces that are integral to behavioral care, such as:

• Lobby & Reception Area
• Patient Rooms and Toilet Rooms
• Exam Room
• Milieu Space
• Quiet Room
• Medication Room
• Group Therapy/Quiet Activity Room
• Visitor/Consult Room
• Staff Work Charting Area
• Courtyard Area, among others

Design Objectives

The design should focus on creating a therapeutic care environment that integrates modern principles of behavioral care, including:

• Healing-focused spaces with positive distractions and sensory interventions.
• Family-centered design to foster comfort and collaboration.
• Safety and adaptability for staff, patients, and families.
• Intuitive wayfinding and seamless interaction.
• Supportive staff spaces to promote collaboration and well-being.

Prizes

The competition boasts a prize pool of nearly $5,000:

• First Place: $2,500
• Second Place: $1,500
• Third Place: $750

Winners will be selected by a jury of interior design and business professionals, who will evaluate entries based on:

• Innovation and creativity
• Coherence and functionality
• Human impact
• Fulfillment of program requirements
• Presentation quality

Eligibility

• Open to students currently enrolled in an interior design or interior architecture program worldwide.
• Participants may enter individually or as a team (up to 5 members).

Key Dates

• Submission Opens: January 7, 2025
• Submission Deadline: February 14, 2025

Entry Fees

• Individual Entries:
  • $35 for IIDA Student Members
  • $60 for Non-members
• Team Entries:
  • $50 for teams with at least one IIDA Student Member
  • $90 for Non-members

Submission Requirements

Entries must be submitted electronically and include:

• Written Component:
  • Participant(s) contact information
  • Project title and description (up to 500 words) explaining how your design meets the competition brief

• Digital Presentation Board:
  • One 24” x 36” PDF (3MB–10MB) including:
    • Dimensioned floor plan
    • Furniture and materials plan
    • Reflected ceiling plan
    • 2–4 renderings of the space
    • Additional drawings (e.g., elevations, perspectives)
    • Any other elements to convey your design concept

Note: The board must not include any identifying information.

Why Participate?

This competition is an invaluable opportunity for students to:

• Gain international recognition for their work.
• Enhance their professional portfolios.
• Receive feedback from seasoned professionals in the design industry.

Whether you’re passionate about innovation in healthcare design or looking for a platform to launch your career, the IIDA Student Design Competition is your stage.

Get Started

Ready to make your mark? Visit the official IIDA website for the full competition guidelines and to submit your entry.

Don’t miss your chance to redefine the future of behavioral healthcare design!