NEWH South Florida Chapter Golden Palms Design Challenge
Application Details
Application URL
Application Deadline
October 9, 2026
Scholarship Information
THE CONNECTED GUEST $5,000 SCHOLARSHIP CHALLENGE
Design a hospitality furniture piece that enhances how people connect with one another in shared spaces.
As hotels continue to blur the lines between social clubs, workplaces, and community hubs, furniture plays a critical role in shaping interaction. Design a piece for a lobby, lounge, restaurant, outdoor space, or guest room that encourages connection, conversation, collaboration, or gathering.
Your design should reflect:
- Human Connection & Experience – Encourages social interaction, engagement, collaboration, or community-building while creating a welcoming and
comfortable environment. - Functionality & Innovation – Thoughtfully responds to contemporary hospitality needs through adaptable, multifunctional, or unexpected design solutions.
- Aesthetic Impact – Demonstrates strong design sensibility, craftsmanship, materiality, and relevance to today’s hospitality environments.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Design Concept Statement (300– 500 words):
- Explain how your design fosters connection, the inspiration behind the concept, key functional features, and its relevance within the hospitality industry.
Design Documentation:
- Plan view and two elevations
- Material and construction details
- Four or more 3D renderings
- Materials schedule
- Optional exploded axonometric, diagrams, or user interaction studies
Format:
- PDF format only
- Maximum file size: 10 MB
- Include a cover page
- File name: firstnamelastname_connectedguest.pdf
Judging Criteria
- Concept and narrative strength
- Promotion of human connection
- Creativity and innovation
- Functionality and user experience
- Aesthetic quality
- Commercial viability
SCHOLARSHIP REQUIREMENTS
- Actively enrolled interior design or architecture students: 4-year sophomore/second year and above, or graduate level attending college in: Southern Florida
- The competition can be completed individually or as a team. Teams: The team can be composed of no more than (2) students who meet the criteria. If awarded, students will split the $5,000 scholarship.
- 3.0 GPA (cumulative) overall “B” average or grade percentage of 83% – 86% equivalent.
- Financial need through college for past/current/upcoming tuition or program approved books/supplies.
- Major and career objective within a hospitality related field.
- Winner(s) must be available to attend the awards event on Saturday, October 24th, 2026, at our Golden Palm Awards (attendance is mandatory for the winner(s), otherwise funds will not be transferred.
- Due date for all submittals: Friday, October 9th, 2026, at 11:59 pm EST
Scholarship Criteria
Scholarship Type
Based on Financial Need
Chapter or Region
South Florida (Miami)
Application Requirements
Area of Study
Interior Design