Bienenstock Furniture Library Names 2025 Design Competition Winners

Furniture World News Desk on 3/10/2025

1st place winner, Peter Bonn, states "Stahl chair is heavily inspired by Scandinavian and Japanese architecture."

The Bienenstock Furniture Library (BFL) announces the 2025 winners of its annual student design competitions for furniture and interior design, awarding a total of $15,000 to the top performers and their schools.

For this year’s Dudley Moore Sr. Furniture Design Competition, students submitted an original design for a chair that is suitable for marketing to either or both residential and contract trade industry segments. The competition criteria states that designs should be aesthetically pleasing and also suitable for manufacturing within the financial and technical constraints of mass production.

In the furniture design competition, the library received 41 entries from 12 colleges: Appalachian State University, Baptist University of the Americas, Boston Architectural, Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), Kansas State University, Purdue University, Red Rocks Community College, Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD), University of Central Oklahoma, University of Houston, University of Oregon and Utah State.

Judges for this category included recognized furniture designers Dudley Moore, Jr., Otto & Moore Inc.; Scott Coley, D. Scott Coley Designs, LLC; Danny Davis, Davis Furniture; Catina Roscoe, Catina Unlimited; Royale Wiggin, Thayer Coggin, LTD.; and David Williams, WITS END Design Studio.

Peter Bonn, a furniture design student at Red Rocks Community College, received first place recognition and a $5,000 cash award for his chair design, STAHL. 

"The design of the Stahl chair is heavily inspired by Scandinavian and Japanese architecture,” Bonn said. “Following Scandinavian architectural influence, I focused my design to be efficient in its use of material and contemporary in its aesthetic. Inspired by technical and clever Japanese joinery, I designed this chair to bring attention to how each piece is connected." 

In honor of the first place winner’s home school, Red Rocks Community College furniture design professor Jeremy Cox will receive a prize of $1000.00 for his department.

University of Houston student Ruaraidh Ferrier was awarded second place and a $1500 cash prize for his project entitled Arthur’s Seat. 

For the 2025 Barbour Spangle Interior Design Competition, interior design students were tasked to design a holistic day spa specializing in therapeutic treatment for multiple sclerosis patients.  The spa is owned and managed by a doctor and physical therapist team, and the building is located at the base of a mountain which is surrounded by park-like settings, water features and abundant wildlife. The facility design should reduce stress and provide a tranquil, holistic environment.

The library received 50 entries from nine different colleges, including Forsyth Technical Community College, High Point University, Orange Coast College

Pittsburg State University, Randolph Community College, Saddleback College, Savannah College of Art & Design, University of Idaho and Utah State.

The seasoned professionals judging for this year’s interior design competition included Christi Spangle and Bri Verstat, Barbour Spangle Design; Holly Woodward, Woodward House of Design; Elizabeth Scruggs, Superior Construction and Design; Monika Nessbach, Design Bar;. Kara Cox, Kara Cox Designs; Stephanie Walker and Lisa Woods, Crimson Design Group; and Jessica Alpert, Gensler. 

The first place prize of $5,000 was awarded to Devin Reiman of Saddleback College for his design project, Sa Calma. 

“My project, Sa Calma, was inspired by the concept of a gentle path that guides spa patients toward physical and emotional healing,” said Reiman. “By incorporating natural materials and flowing shapes that evoke the movement of water, I aimed to create an environment that feels both inviting and restorative. I believe thoughtful design has the power to shape our lives, and I am passionate about crafting spaces that are not only functional but also foster comfort and connection.”

Reiman added that he would like to extend his appreciation to Professor Farida Gabdrakhmanova, and the faculty at Saddleback College, for their invaluable guidance and support.

On behalf of the school’s design department, Gabdrakhmanova accepted the award for $1,000.

Forsyth Technical Community College student Jennifer Koerner received second place recognition and a $1500 cash prize for her project, Kintsugi Spa. 

At the end of last year, participating students submitted their final projects for consideration in the 2025 Bienenstock Furniture Library’s Design Competition. Project work typically occurs in the fall semester of the junior or senior year leading up to the winter submission deadline for the annual event. Graduate students are also eligible for participation. 

Judging occurs on scores of one to five in the following categories: design brief, ideation thumbnails, design aesthetic, originality, functional aspect, feasibility and overall presentation.

About the Furniture Library
Founded in 1970, The Bernice Bienenstock Furniture Library located in High Point, NC,  is a world-class research facility for information on furniture, interiors, architecture, textiles, finishes and construction. Significant among the Library’s 5,000+ holdings are contemporary acquisitions and a rare books collection of international volumes published since 1640, including a complete collection of original works by 18th century furniture masters Chippendale, Sheraton, Hepplewhite, and a complete set of Diderot’s Encyclopedia. It is open to the public and devoted to the advancement of knowledge of furniture and design for members of the furniture industry, design professionals, scholars and students. Since 1984, The Library has awarded more than $400,000 in scholarships to students at 17 colleges throughout the US. It houses a specialty bookstore selling the latest books on design as well as out of print and hard to find texts. It is also used as a venue for professional meetings, seminars, conferences, lectures and art events. For more information visit www.furniturelibrary.com.