Otto Zenke Student Design Awards

Otto Zenke Design Awards Showcase Interior Design Creativity!

Each year, the Otto Zenke Student Design competition asks students to design an awe-inspiring project based on certain criteria for the judges to consider. This award gives both scholars and their programs the opportunity to showcase their creativity, professionalism, and the chance to win scholarship money along with recognition throughout the Carolinas.

Thank you to all of our participants, and congratulations to our 2025 Otto Zenke Design Competition winners, who were announced at this year's 2025 Spring Meeting in Charlotte, NC. 

The 2026 Otto Zenke Student Competition is now open for entries. This year's awards event will take place on February 6th in Charlotte. Click here for our submission instructions packet and click here to apply!

Recent Winners

2024-25

• Cheryl Ellington - FIRST PLACE COMMERICAL
• Seth Ward - SECOND PLACE COMMERCIAL
• Rose Shandra  – FIRST PLACE RESIDENTIAL
• Jake Andrews  – SECOND PLACE RESIDENTIAL

2023-24

• Caite Nunes – FIRST PLACE
• Henry Vera Morales – SECOND PLACE
• Iva Morgann Owens – THIRD PLACE
• Emmy Saltzman – HONORABLE MENTION

2022-23

• Nathan Mooney – FIRST PLACE
• Alli Cullen – SECOND PLACE
• Ariana Gomez – THIRD PLACE
• Timothy Cowie – HONORABLE MENTION

2020-21

• Naomi Lytle – FIRST PLACE
• Libby Montgomery – SECOND PLACE
• Molly Terra – THIRD PLACE
• Leslie Webb – HONORABLE MENTION

2025 Otto Zenke Design Competition Winners

Click on their names below to view their winning projects.

First Place Commericial

CHERYL ELLINGTON

Wake Technical College

First Place Residential

ROSE SHANDRA

App State

Second Place Commercial

SETH WARD

Forsyth Tech

Second Place Residential

JAKE ANDREWS

App State

2024 Otto Zenke Event Photos

Click here to view photos from the awards presentation event.