A Calgary designer was awarded first prize in a North American kitchen and bath student design competition.
Beatriz Hernandez, who graduated in December 2022 with a Kitchen and Bath Design Post-Diploma Certificate from Bow Valley College, was among dozens of applicants from both Canada and the United States.
Her entry into the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) Student Design Competition, locked up first place in the kitchen category. The competition task was to remodel a space for a fictional Oregon couple Shawn and Jalen Hill, who were moving from Portland to the Pacific coast. They needed room for their two golden retrievers and space to host family and friends. The plans required an open main floor and a separate soaking tub to bathe the dogs. It also must make use of the ocean views.
“I couldn’t believe it. It is an honour to be recognized for something that I’m passionate about and that I put a lot of passion into,” said Hernandez.
“I wanted to provide the clients with a beautiful and functional renovation that will work for them now and in the future. I put together a construction plan and design statement that offers a combination of meeting personal tastes and needs and timeless finishes that will add to the value of their home.”
Hernandez’s goal was to allow the views of the beach to penetrate into the room. It appears she achieved that.
“Opening the kitchen to the foyer was creative in addition to the creative use of wood as a decorative element on the ceiling, as well as the installation of the partition wall,” said competition judge Mark Haddad, president of Interiology Design Co. in Massachusetts.
Bow Valley proud of their grad
Hernandez is an international student from the Dominican Republic. She chose Bow Valley College to supplement her architecture degree. She also worked with Krista Hermanson Design in Calgary, where she now works as a full-time designer assistant.
“Beatriz’s award-winning achievement is an inspiration for all aspiring students in our program,” said Alison Anderson, dean of Business, Technology and the Centre for Entertainment Arts, Bow Valley College, in a prepared release.
“This post-diploma certificate is a great fit for people like Beatriz, looking for additional specialized credentials and an opportunity for experiential learning. We are thrilled to see her take top honours in this competition and look forward to her journey as an emerging professional in the design industry.”
The competition winners were announced in December 2022. Hernandez will be honoured with her award Jan. 26 during an NKBA lecture at Bow Valley College.
The award includes a $5,000 scholarship and an all-expenses paid trip to Las Vegas for the annual Kitchen and Bath Industry Show.
For more on this year’s competition, visit this site.
