The International Interior Design Association (IIDA) has announced its Student Design Competition (SDC) for 2026.
The IIDA Student Design Competition (SDC) celebrates the talent and fresh design ideas of design students throughout the world who are currently enrolled in an interior design or interior architecture program or institution. The competition provides emerging professionals the opportunity to showcase their work and gain exposure in the interior design industry.
The prize fund for 2026 is almost $5,000. First, second, and third place winners will be selected by a jury of interior design and business professionals who will judge entries based on innovation and creativity, coherence and functionality, human impact, fulfillment of program requirements, and presentation of the information.
The 2026 IIDA Student Design Competition invites you to space plan and design a primary care clinic in a rural community of Northwest Montana. The clinic is located on the second floor of a small rural hospital and should include all required programs as outlined in the Program Requirements.
The design should enable physicians to work efficiently while supporting a seamless, dignified patient experience through thoughtful spatial organization and architectural design. Emphasis should be placed on creating a welcoming atmosphere, drawing inspiration from hospitality environments to foster a sense of “home” and well-being. In addition, the space should accommodate a wide range of physical, sensory, and cognitive needs, supporting neurodiverse individuals through inclusive design strategies that offer flexibility and choice, reduce anxiety, support focus, and encourage comfort and autonomy.
At least 50% of the furniture products included in each submission must be from OFS, Carolina, and ROOM. Consider healthcare solutions such as: Element, Lasata, Offshore, Mile Marker, Elara, Noé, Stray, and Staks. OFS and Carolina, in addition to its standard product offering, provide clients with custom and modified solutions. The primary care clinic is an ideal setting to take advantage of those capabilities. Revit families and CAD blocks can be found on the ofs.com website within product web pages under “Product Resources” and “Related Typicals”.
Healthcare facilities such as this should take into consideration the ADA Standards for Accessible Design, the HIPAA Privacy Rule, make seating accommodations for the bariatric population, parents with small children, and design for neurodiversity.
The 2026 IIDA Student Design Competition is open to students around the world who are currently enrolled at an interior design program or institution.
Participants can enter individually or as a team with a maximum of five (5) people.
Please check the official website for further information.
IIDA Student Design Competition (SDC) 2026 – Entry Fees
- Individual Entries
- IIDA Student Members: $35
- Non-members: $60
- Team Entries
- IIDA Student Members: $50 (at least one student on the team must be an IIDA Student Member)
- Non-members: $90