7th International Cosentino Design Challenge

Cosentino, the world leader in the production and distribution of quartz, natural stone and recycled surfacing, has opened the call for submissions for its 7th International Cosentino Design Challenge (CDC) for students in two categories: Architecture and Design.

The competition has fostered the talent of students in Europe for more than six years by offering an opportunity to showcase original concepts for innovative approaches to design and material integration featuring surfaces by Cosentino.  This year, the competition will extend its reach for the first time to include students from the US, UK, Asia, Brazil, and, Australia. For the US launch, Cosentino has partnered with the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) who will also hold a voting seat on the esteemed jury.

“Cosentino North America is thrilled to introduce our successful international student design competition to the talented pool of American architecture and design students for the first time this year,” said Lorenzo Marquez VP of Marketing for Cosentino North America. “We’re proud that an organization like ASID has offered its support and expertise to usher in this outstanding opportunity for students here in the United States and around the world.”

Added ASID CEO, Randy Fiser: “We have created a dynamic partnership with Cosentino over the past year that includes a number of national and regional opportunities to support our professionals and students at events such as Dwell on Design, RealWorld DesignWeek (RWDW) and Go Pro. Now, ASID is proud to offer its support to Cosentino’s student design competition. This is an opportunity that not only promotes professional design challenges for our student members, but also gives them exposure to conceptual work from around the world — that will undoubtedly challenge and inspire them. We look forward to seeing the submissions and being part of the selection process.”

 The full list of partner organizations and prestigious international schools includes:

• American Society of Interior Designers (ASID)— USA
• University of Technology Sydney — Australia
• Design Academy Eindhoven — Netherlands
• School of Design in Milan (NABA) — Italy
• Arts and Design Academy in Milan — Italy
• HTWK Leipzig School of Architecture —Germany
• IED School of Design — Italy
• The Superior Technical School of Architecture in Madrid (ETSAM) — Spain
• Barcelona School of Architecture (ETSAB) — Spain
• Seville School of Architecture (ETSAS) — Spain
• Almeria School of Art (EAA) — Spain
• Alicante School of Superior Art and Design — Spain

The CDC introduces participants to a broad array of global design trends and theories, enhancing their educational experience and knowledge as they prepare to enter a professional world with an increasingly international focus.  This year, students participating in the CDC Design category are tasked creating a concept for a dynamic office setting using any Cosentino material. In the Architecture category, submissions will focus on a new conceptual approach for an outdoor kitchen using any Cosentino material suitable for exterior use.

The conceptual submissions will be evaluated by a jury of prestigious architecture and design leaders based on a number of criteria including: Creativity, innovation, analytical research, product adaptation, feasibility, conceptual and technical quality, and presentation.

The CDC is open to all students enrolled in the 2012-2013 academic year, studying design or architecture at any college or university around the world. All CDC submissions require conceptual drawings and plans, and a report explaining the design solutions. The call for entries begins February 28, 2013 and runs until June 1, 2013. The CDC will award $1,500 to the top three submissions in both categories. Three second-place prizes will earn a cash prize in both categories and honorable mentions also will be issued. Additionally, winning designs from any ASID student members in the US are eligible for an additional cash prize and the opportunity for their design to be displayed at a leading industry trade show in 2013.


Complete submission requirements, additional contest information, and previous winners are detailed on the competition website: http://www.cosentinodesignchallenge.org