January 29, 2025
K-State students shine in National Steelcase NEXT Design Competition
Interior architecture and interior design students from Kansas State University's College of Architecture, Planning & Design, or APDesign, department of interior architecture and industrial design, have achieved remarkable success in the prestigious 12th annual Steelcase NEXT Student Design Competition.
This year's challenge tasked students to design a cutting-edge, inclusive workplace environment for the Chicago advertising agency. Supporting diverse work behaviors from focused individual tasks to collaborative, hybrid teamwork was a key component in the design for the 16,000-square-foot space.
Out of nearly 1,600 entries nationwide, three K-State students distinguished themselves on the national stage. Ella Beth, '26 interior architecture, earned a coveted spot in the Top 5 and will travel to Steelcase headquarters in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to present her innovative project to a panel of professional judges. This milestone puts her in contention for top honors, including cash and product prizes.
Hanna Scheck, '26 interior architecture, and Sammie Skinner, '26 interior design, also made an impressive showing, ranking in the Top 28 — a testament to their exceptional talents and design acumen.
The students' success reflects the strength of APDesign's interior architecture and interior design programs and their commitment to preparing students for real-world challenges in workplace design. A key component of this year's interior architecture program was the support and mentorship from APDesign alumni Kanoa San Miguel, Juliana Schwartz and Henry Hammes. As former Top 5 finalists themselves, their insights and critiques provided invaluable guidance throughout the design process.
"We are incredibly proud of Ella and Hanna for their hard work and creativity," said Michelle Wempe, professor of practice at APDesign. "Their achievements highlight the exceptional talent within our program and the dedication of our faculty and alumni to fostering student success."
According to Skinner's instructors Michael Dudek and Hyungchan Kim, "As a third-year design student, we are extremely proud of Sammie placing in the top 1.75% of all submissions. Her achievement reflects the high-level of real-world preparation which is a hallmark of the Kansas State University interior design program."
The Steelcase NEXT competition encourages students to reimagine the workplace of the future, integrating innovative design principles and emerging workplace trends. By incorporating the competition into its 2024 fall curriculum, APDesign continues to challenge its students to think critically and creatively about the evolving demands of workplace design.
For more information about APDesign and its programs, visit apdesign.k-state.edu.