This was the challenge design students from the U.S. and Canada were asked to take on for Steelcase\u2019s 6th annual NEXT Student Design Competition<\/a>. Five finalists chosen from 900 entries and 70 design programs traveled to Steelcase\u2019s Learning and Innovation Center in Michigan to present their design concepts to an esteemed panel of judges.<\/p>\n Each with a distinct vision, the finalists impressed industry experts from CannonDesign, DLR Group, Gensler, Perkins + Will and Steelcase. Kansas State University\u2019s Kanoa San Miguel emerged as the winner. \u201cThe connections we\u2019ve made with professionals and peers in the course of just a few days visiting Steelcase to present our projects has been amazing,\u201d said San Miguel. \u201cAcademically, we\u2019re limited to a room of about 30. Here, the investments Steelcase and other professionals have made in us raises us up as designers. It\u2019s an incredible opportunity.\u201d<\/p>\n The annual competition gives young designers and design programs the opportunity for exposure to world-class design firms. In addition to prizes, the designers receive mentorship, build lasting relationships and gain invaluable experience.<\/p>\n \u201cWe want to foster community between the students as peers, the judges as colleagues and between the judges and students. The judges tell us they\u2019ve been exposed to design programs they hadn\u2019t considered before, and the students have the chance to broaden their professional horizons and build potentially life-changing relationships,\u201d said Jerry Holmes, Steelcase Design Alliances principal and competition co-leader. \u201cThis competition allows us to cultivate multiple layers within the design community that spark relationships that will continue to grow.\u201d Despite the same customer, goals, space and city, all five finalists approached the project with a unique perspective. Here\u2019s a look at what they developed.<\/p>\n Kanoa San Miguel, Kansas State University<\/strong><\/p>\n Originally from Colorado, San Miguel drew on his personal knowledge of the state\u2019s history for his project. His design draws on the topography of Colorado, using the contours of NEXT\u2019s location to give the space identity.<\/p>\n San Miguel\u2019s design for a reception seating area reflects the moment of introduction and goodbyes, and provides a place of respite on a busy day.<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t This open office design is where traditional office benching meets the dynamic acoustic cloud for individual, heads down work.<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t The \u201cConnect Zone\u201d is a place of community within the office, where people can share their lives outside of work through pictures or their favorite book.<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t This WorkCaf\u00e9 Lounge is a gathering place for the office. It allows employees to connect, eat and meet in a casual, comfortable setting. <\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t San Miguel referenced this sketch throughout his process as he considered the atmosphere for the project. A campfire is a place of gathering, comfort, warmth, and connection. He designed around those ideals to create an environment that fit Colorado\u2019s culture. <\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n San Miguel said his father used to take him on tours of the old mines, military forts and settlements in Colorado when he was younger. Now, as a college student who drives from Colorado to Kansas, he has an intense familiarity with the progression of the landscape surrounding NEXT\u2019s location. \u201cThis competition has given me confidence to pursue my own path and methodology. Because of my roots, I made a significant emotional investment in this project. My past experiences inspired my final concept,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe loved Kanoa\u2019s calm presentation style. He did a great job drawing us in. The storytelling aspect of his project was wonderful and the hand sketching artfully supported his concept,\u201d said Audrey Koehn, Global Interiors leader, DLR Group.<\/p>\n Katie Godfrey, University of Manitoba<\/strong><\/p>\n Godfrey\u2019s design is reminiscent of the landscape both in and away from Denver\u2019s city center. It applies concepts inspired by the art and culture characteristic of downtown.<\/p>\n This reception desk includes integrated seating to welcome visitors and provides a glimpse into the dynamic office space. <\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t Hand-sketches in Godfrey\u2019s presentation emphasized the craft and detail of the furniture in the space. <\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t This gallery near the building's entrance includes a rotating selection of local artwork which can also be seen on display throughout the office. <\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t The variety in seating options range from less to more private, task-oriented to relaxed. <\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t The WorkCaf\u00e9 is a gathering space that looks out onto Denver's Main Street. <\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n \u201cThe culmination of this process felt like a celebration,\u201d said Godfrey. \u201cThe judges were genuinely interested in how we think and who we\u2019ll become. As we head toward the working world, the chance to receive serious attention from judges of this caliber was remarkable.\u201d Godfrey is one of two students from the University of Manitoba, the first time two NEXT finalists have come from the same program.<\/p>\n \u201cWe thought her storytelling was spoton. Her handwriting in her presentation connected to her concept of craft and materiality,\u201d said Kristen Ruch, Steelcase applications consultant. \u201cHer space had a great balance of public, private, social and collaborative spaces, and she tied her entire concept back to the client\u2019s needs.\u201d<\/p>\n Tessa Klarenbeek, South Dakota State University<\/strong><\/p>\n Klarenbeek\u2019s design reflects Denver by taking inspiration from its scenic views, culture and people \u2014 creating a seamless design between the indoor and outdoor environments.<\/p>\n The reception desk in Klarenbeek\u2019s design is angled directly toward the main entrance and creates a focal point within the space. The angular form and contrasting wood and concrete materials set the tone for how the entire space will feel. <\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t Klarenbeek also included sketches of her original concepts like this reception desk. <\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t The open office design is very bright and open, while taking advantage of the views out into the city of Denver.<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t The corridor area is more enclosed and intimate to represent the valleys within the Rocky Mountains.<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t Within the WorkCaf\u00e9, there are various sitting arrangements to accommodate all work modes. The booth area and kitchen area feature angular forms to represent the mountains.<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t Klarenbeek\u2019s sketch of her WorkCaf\u00e9 shows how the booths began to take shape.<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n Before presenting her final project to the judges, Klarenbeek\u2019s instructor at SDSU spoke to the Brookings Register<\/a>. \u201cI\u2019ve seen that our work competes against any other school out there,\u201d said Tammy Bashore. \u201cStudents and other places just don\u2019t know about us, and I believe our students don\u2019t know how good they are because they haven\u2019t seen much work from other students or programs. I like to enter these competitions because they show we can compete against other schools and make people take notice.\u201d Shayna Krizan, University of Wisconsin<\/strong><\/p>\n Trail Ridge at Colorado\u2019s Rocky Mountain State Park is part of the highest paved road in the country, making it the perfect example of connectivity. Krizan\u2019s design aims to capture connectivity as a core element of the design, fostering a space that invites collaboration, cohesion and cooperation.<\/p>\n The reception area is the first impression of the space. It is the introduction and sets the tone for what is to come. It draws people into the space with the usage of linear elements. The display of the mountain in the Reception shows the network of lines coming together to form a whole, just as people come together to form a community.<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t The client zone is the living room for the clients that immerses them into the workplace. The ceiling grid acts as a backbone or solid foundation of NEXT Real Estate.<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t The architectural elements in this open, collaborative and functional space ground the workspaces and symbolize strength, which is a recurring theme throughout the design. The paths relate back to Krizan\u2019s concept and idea of forging new paths and connectivity. <\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t The \u201cConnect Zone\u201d space ultimately provides a sense or feeling of community, belonging, togetherness, a sense of something larger than oneself.<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t![\"NEXT](\"https:\/\/steelcase-res.cloudinary.com\/image\/upload\/c_limit,dpr_auto,q_70,h_1024,w_1024\/v1550867390\/www.steelcase.com\/2019\/02\/22\/19-0116317.jpg\")
\n\u201cEvery year, as we craft this program, we create conditions that each of these students will encounter on day one of their first job at a firm. We want them to be ready for what clients will expect. They all exceeded our expectations. These young people aren\u2019t only great designers and storytellers, they know how to use technology to present their concepts in unique ways,\u201d added Denise Calehuff, Steelcase Design Alliances principal and competition co-leader.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/images.steelcase.com\/image\/upload\/c_fill,dpr_auto,q_70,h_656,w_1166\/v1550867444\/www.steelcase.com\/2019\/02\/22\/19-0116886.jpg\")
Kanoa San Miguel\u2019s Design<\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
Kanoa San Miguel\u2019s Design<\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
Kanoa San Miguel\u2019s Design<\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
Kanoa San Miguel\u2019s Design<\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
Kanoa San Miguel\u2019s Design<\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/images.steelcase.com\/image\/upload\/c_fill,dpr_auto,q_70,h_656,w_1166\/v1550867685\/www.steelcase.com\/2019\/02\/22\/19-0116510.jpg\")
Katie Godfrey\u2019s Design<\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
Katie Godfrey\u2019s Design<\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
Katie Godfrey\u2019s Design<\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
Katie Godfrey\u2019s Design<\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
Katie Godfrey\u2019s Design<\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/images.steelcase.com\/image\/upload\/c_fill,dpr_auto,q_70,h_656,w_1166\/v1550867849\/www.steelcase.com\/2019\/02\/22\/19-0116910.jpg\")
Tessa Klarenbeek\u2019s Design<\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
Tessa Klarenbeek\u2019s Design<\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
Tessa Klarenbeek\u2019s Design<\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
Tessa Klarenbeek\u2019s Design<\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
Tessa Klarenbeek\u2019s Design<\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
Tessa Klarenbeek\u2019s Design<\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\u201cHer project was a standout from the beginning. It was striking and we loved how she handled bold architectural movements,\u201d said Randy Malone, Steelcase Workplace Consultant. \u201cShe has a great grasp on how to be dramatic without being overwhelming.\u201d
\n\u201cIt was eye-opening to see how other students and programs approached the project. Everyone works differently,\u201d said Klarenbeek. \u201cBeing able to build connections with those students and the judges will be a resource I\u2019ll be able to draw on now in school and years down the road.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/images.steelcase.com\/image\/upload\/c_fill,dpr_auto,q_70,h_656,w_1166\/v1550868030\/www.steelcase.com\/2019\/02\/22\/19-0116881.jpg\")
Shayna Krizan\u2019s Design<\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
Shayna Krizan\u2019s Design<\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
Shayna Krizan\u2019s Design<\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
Shayna Krizan\u2019s Design<\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/images.steelcase.com\/image\/upload\/c_fill,dpr_auto,q_70,h_656,w_1166\/v1550868192\/www.steelcase.com\/2019\/02\/22\/19-0116514.jpg\")