Entrant Qualifications

Entrant and/or Co-Entrant (s) must be a design professional that completed a qualifying project within the established design period (January 1, 2023-April 1, 2027). Open to NKBA Members and non-members.

Certification not required to enter.

Co-Entrants receive an award as well.

Project Criteria

Qualifying projects completed between Jan 1, 2023 & April 1, 2027

Past Peak Entries that were not awarded may be re-entered but must adhere to 2027 submittal requirements.

Projects that have been awarded, outside of Peak and/or the NKBA National Design Competition, are eligible for submittal.

Benefits

Cash Prizes will be awarded at the Peak Awards Gala on Thursday, June 18, 2026

First Place: $150 Second Place $100 Third place $50 Best Before & After: $150

Plus more for Colorado Homes & Lifestyles Most Dramatic Makeover & Peoples Choice

Note: Not all categories will have a 1st, 2nd & 3rd place winner.

Showcase your design expertise and enjoy recognition from industry peers

Leverage marketing opportunities to showcase design awards

Chance to be featured in a design publication.

Awarded projects will be featured on NKBA Rocky Mountain social media channels.

Category winners earn a beautiful trophy to display in their place of business.

Deadlines

Early Bird Payment deadline: SUNDAY March 15, 2026

Project entry and fee deadline: Sunday, April 26, 2026 (Late entries will NOT be accepted and no extensions will be given).

Design Board submission deadline: Friday, June 12, 2026. (Peoples choice Award is determined by attendees at the Peak Awards Gala, A Design Board is required to be eligible for People's Choice)

Entry Fees - Double Check on Fees

Before March 14, 2026: (Project does not need to be submitted until the end of the competition. All fees must be paid during Early Bird Pricing dates to receive the discounted pricing.)

Early Bird Pricing: January 1, 2026 - March 14, 2026. NKBA Members $135 for 1st entry and $125 for each additional entry.

Non-Members $185 for 1st entry and $135 for each additional entry.

After March 14, 2026:

Each NKBA entrant will pay an entry fee of $185 (Includes (1) free Gala Ticket only) for 1st project , and $135 for each additional project.

Non-member entrants will pay an entry fee of $285 (Includes (1) free Gala Ticket only) for 1st project, and $235 for each additional project.

Co-Entrant (Member and Non-member) will pay an entry fee of $150 for 1st project. (Includes (1) free Gala Ticket only) , and $125 for each additional Project. Co-entrants will receive a trophy.

Entry fees are non-refundable

Entry fees are payable online ONLY

Not an NKBA Member? Click this link to join: https://nkba.org/signup/

New for 2027!

< Enter Newness Here >

Returning for 2027!

Members & Non- Members: Recieve an additional Gala Ticket for every 4 standard entries! NOTE: THIS PROMOTION DOES NOT APPLY TO DISOUNTED ENTRIES IN BEST BEFORE & AFTER KITCHEN, BEST BEFORE & AFTER BATH OR DESIGN DETAIL ENTRIES.

Enter a remodel project in a Kitchen or Bath category & receive a refund for $100 off if the same project is entered in Best Before & After Kitchen or Best Before & After Bath (Valid on entry fee for Best Before & After Kitchen or Bath ONLY). Refunds will be issued after the competition ends.

Email Jenni Russell once your entries are paid for your refund : jrdesigninperspective@gmail.com

New Specialty Room Categories! Simplified bath categories to align better with the National NKBA Competition. Mechanical Plans are NOT required.

Kitchen or Bath Refresh: Best Kitchen or Bath Refresh will not be held to NKBA Presentation Standards. Drawings will be scored on professionalism of drawing submission. Dimensions should be shown to give idea of space and clearances as well as clear notations of what changes were made to the space. Before & After Plans and photos are required for entry.

Design Categories - RECODE & POSSIBLE DETAILS

00A Small Kitchen: 200 SF or Less

00B Medium Kitchen: 201-350 SF

00C Large Kitchen: 351 SF or More

00D Powder Room (Must contain Sink & Toilet ONLY)

00E Secondary Bathroom

00F Primary Bathroom (Primary Bathrooms must be directly connect to and entered through the Primary Bedroom)

00G Specialty Room Entertainment: Bar, Wine Cellar, Outdoor Kitchen

00H Specialty Room Utility: Laundry, Mudroom, Office, Pantry, etc.

00I Best Before & After Kitchen

00J Best Before & After Bath

00N Design Detail

00O Kitchen or Bath Refresh: Majority of the kitchen or bath is existing and in same location. These projects include minor changes that make a big impact. Example: Changing or adding lighting & a backsplash, painting cabinets with new backsplash and flooring or tile surround, adding an island. NOTE: Kitchen or Bath Refresh does NOT need to meet NKBA Guidelines or Presentation Standards. New Construction projects are not eligible for this category.

To Enter

All projects must be submitted in digital format to the CPJ Association management website.

Entry form must be complete and fees must be paid at time of entry.

Uploaded files are to be named Project Name_Document Type (i.e.: Mountain Vista_Before Plan)

NOTE: NO IDENTIFYING INFORMATION REGARDING THE DESIGNER, CLIENT OR CONTRACTOR may be shown on any judged documents. This will result in disqualification.

The following documents are to be uploaded with no identifying information appearing anywhere on plans, photos, or Design Statement

Before Plan (PDF Only) (If New Construction, upload a document stating New Construction Project)

After Plan 1/4" , 1/2" or 1:20 Metric Scale (PDF) (Required for All Categories)

Elevations 1/4", 1/2" or 1:20 Metric Scale

Before & After Photos: Min. 1 Before & 1 After (If new construction upload a PDF stating New Construction.)

Note: After plan and Elevations may be combined into one PDF document. Additional renderings or perspectives are permitted but not required.

Note: All plans are to be detailed & dimensioned to 1/4", 1/2" or scale:20 Metric Scale

Note: Entrants must adhere to NKBA Graphics Presentation Guidelines. Please see https://nkba.org/planning-guidelines/ for more information or review the NKBA Graphics & Presentation Standards list in the documents section.

Design Statement: Clearly, but briefly, outline design problems and client requirements, then concisely describe what was done to solve those problems and fulfill client needs.

See Entry Documents for additional information on requirements for Design Statement & NKBA Graphic Standards.

Design Board

Create one design board per project (while not required this is highly encouraged and how the People's Choice Awards are voted on).

One board per project to be judged at the Gala may be submitted.

Board Size: 22"w x 24"h with 1/2" boarder around the perimeter

Board must be mounted on Foam core in portrait orientation. (IS THERE A COLOR REQUIREMENT?)

Mandatory: leave a 4" x 4" blank space in the upper left corner of the board. (This is where NKBA Peak Committee will place your voting #)

Plans &/or photos only may be on the board (No samples). Make this what you want to show your project the best to attendees at that Gala!

Attach an evelope to the back of the board containing the Entrant Name, Project Name and Category Only (Failure to do this will result in ineligibility for the Design Board Competition)

No names or identiying information may appear on the front of the design board.

Please drop off your board by End of Day, Friday, June 12th.

Board Drop off Locations:

Specialty Appliance: Drop Off Mon. - Fri. 9am - 5pm

8775 E. Orchard Rd. Unit 805, Greenwood Village, CO 8011

Judging - NKBA Projects

Judging will take place early-May

All judges are selected by the Peak Competition Committee and are experts in their field.

All judges reside and work outside the state of Colorado.

Judges reserve the right to determine if the category has a winning entry. There is no guarantee that each category will have a winning entry or that there will be more than 1 award. Best Before & After Kitchen & Bath will have (1) one winner.

Entries will be judged in the following categories: 100 total points possible.

Planning: 10 points each
1. Design Statement: 300-400 words. Should include the needs of the client, design/project issues and how they were solved. Bullet points highly recommend. Recommended at least 5 bullet points with solutions.
2. Design Solution: Were the client needs met and did the designer create the best solution?
Creativity and Visual Appeal 10 points each
1. Creativity: This is the "WOW" factor and visual appeal.
2. Innovative or creative use of materials: Were there any special materials used or materials used in a creative way to set it apart from other projects?
3. Execution of space: Was the space used in the best possible way?
4. Product and material usage: Were appropriate products and materials used within the space in regards to safety, wear/longevity and durability?
5. Elements & Principles of design: Does the space illustrate a good use of the elements & principles of design?
Presentation: 10 points each
1. NKBA Presentation Standards: Do the drawings submitted meet NKBA Presentation Standards? (See documents for details)
2. NKBA Planning Guidelines: Does this project meet NKBA Planning standards for Kitchens & Baths? Note: New NKBA Planning Standards 4th Edition will be used in the 2027 Peak Awards.
3. Before & After Photos: Do the photos submitted tell a story about the project? Do the photos show any details to highlight special areas of interest? Are the After photos of good quality. Note: Professional photos are highly recommended but not required. If this is a new construction project, a PDF stating "New Construction" must be uploaded in the Before Photos File.

Automatic Disqualification for ANY identifying information on drawings, design statement or photos.

2pts will be deducted for missing centerlines or walkway dimensions

Note: Professional photos are highly recommended but not required. If this is a new construction project, a PDF stating "New Construction" must be uploaded in the Before Photos File.

Want to become a Peak Awards Sponsor? Click https://sites.google.com/nkbarockymountain.org/nkbachaptersponsorships/peak-awards

NKBA Rocky Mountain

2027 Peak Awards

Category List