As one of six winners of the annual NKBA | KBIS Student Design Competition, Montgomery College student Kateryna Ponomarova was awarded a scholarship for her outstanding work, earning Third Place in the Bath Category for 2025. Notably, Ponomarova also earned Third Place in the Kitchen Category, making her a two-time winner of the prestigious competition.
NKBA | KBIS recognizes the industry’s most promising emerging designers through its annual Design + Industry Awards, which include honors for the six Student Design Competition winners. The competition is generously sponsored by Fisher & Paykel, with scholarships awarded as follows: $5,000 for First Place, $2,500 for Second Place, and $1,000 for Third Place. Winners will be celebrated on Monday, February 16, from 6:30 PM to 11:00 PM at the Rosen Centre Hotel in Orlando during KBIS 2026.
Ponomarova’s Third Place Bath project, Crossing Time, stood out for its thoughtful integration of accessibility, craftsmanship, and guest-centered hospitality. Inspired by the visionary spirit of American craftsmanship, the design reimagines a small, conventional bathroom as a functional and contemporary retreat—one that bridges past and present with care and intention.
The project is designed for Lydia Bachman, a retired anthropology professor living in a 1895 Craftsman bungalow in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Lydia values sincere materials, honest craftsmanship, and above all, the comfort of her guests—including those who use mobility aids.
A Bathroom Where Craft Meets Care
Guided by two core principles—prioritizing accessibility and enhancing user experience—Ponomarova transformed the compact footprint into a serene, welcoming space. The layout incorporates a zero-threshold shower, proper lavatory knee clearance, strategically placed assist bars, and a minimum 60-inch wheelchair turning radius, all while maintaining visual openness and warmth.
The design follows a concept of “compression and release.” A bold soffit canopy defines the shower and entry sequence, then opens into a light-filled bay window area. Generous ceiling height allows wall finishes to be broken into horizontal layers, reinforcing Craftsman proportions and helping the space feel balanced and inviting.
Material selections further support both function and atmosphere. A slip-resistant matte porcelain tile mosaic offers safety and durability, while its soft, natural stone tone reflects daylight to visually expand the space. Radiant floor heating adds comfort during Colorado’s colder months, reinforcing the bathroom’s spa-like sensibility.
Design Challenges Addressed
Ponomarova successfully navigated several constraints outlined in the competition scenario:
- Designing within an 82 sq ft footprint, expanded from the original 41 sq ft by incorporating adjacent closet and hallway space, while maintaining required accessibility clearances.
- Planning two 36-inch-wide entrances to serve both the guest bedroom and main living areas, meeting NKBA accessibility standards.
- Delivering a spa-like guest experience without compromising the integrity of the historic home.
- Introducing a north-facing bay window to gain approximately eight additional square feet, engineered to support fixtures and maintain privacy using innovative glass technology.
- Enhancing guest privacy and convenience by integrating Fisher & Paykel appliances, allowing guests to access refreshments without having to travel upstairs.
Special Features
Custom and high-performance details elevate the design, including:
- 48” compact laminate cabinet with integrated Fisher & Paykel appliances, dual-height toe kicks, and accessible controls positioned at 52” AFF.
- Handcrafted 60” soapstone lavatory with integrated basin, 29” knee clearance, and an 11” forward extension meeting NKBA accessibility standards.
- Brizo Frank Lloyd Wright® Collection rain showerhead and faucet, adding sculptural, mid-century character.
- An electrochromic smart glass mirror that transitions from transparent to reflective on demand.
- Kohler Eir® Smart Toilet, ADA-compliant with Comfort Height® seating, dual flush, and integrated personal cleansing.
- Custom teak shower bench, wall-mounted with sculpted support and a waterproof cushioned surface for added comfort.
The result is a bathroom where form evokes memory—a thoughtful intersection of history, innovation, and hospitality that reflects Lydia’s values while offering her guests restorative comfort.
About the NKBA | KBIS Student Design Competition
The NKBA Student Design Competition allows emerging designers to showcase their talent on an industry-wide stage and gain invaluable visibility. Winning entries are recognized at KBIS, featured in NKBA editorial content, and awarded scholarships.
How to Enter
- Open exclusively to NKBA Student Members enrolled in an educational institution at the time of submission.
- Students may enter the kitchen competition, the bath competition, or both.
- Entries must follow NKBA Graphics & Presentation Standards and include dimensioned drawings, renderings, a concept board, and a 500–1000-word design statement.
- Projects must be submitted through Award Force, where students can upload, edit, and finalize materials.
Submission Deadline:
June 5, 2026, at 5:00 PM ET
Incomplete entries will be disqualified.
Awards:
- First Place — $5,000
- Second Place — $2,500
- Third Place — $1,000
Winners also receive complimentary registration, airfare, hotel accommodations, and access to KBIS 2027 in Las Vegas.
Competition Scenario: 2025–2026 — “The Great Indoors: Texas Edition”
This year’s participants are tasked with reimagining the kitchen and primary bath of the Williams-Garcia family home in Dallas’s Preston Hollow neighborhood. The challenge invites students to design for a bustling household of five that values hospitality, family connection, and high-functioning spaces for cooking, gathering, and retreat.
Students must balance bold style, functionality, accessibility, and clever space-planning to create environments that support the family today—and adapt gracefully for years to come.
