LEESBURG, Va. REHAU announces the launch of its first student-focused furniture design competition, entitled “Leading Edge Design Challenge: Thinking Forward.” Targeted toward undergraduate college and university students in the U.S. and Canada, the competition invites participants to create furniture concepts for commercial, residential, kitchen or office applications that feature REHAU edgeband and tambour door products.

“The Leading Edge Design Challenge offers a compelling opportunity for students in architecture as well as interior and furniture design to extend their creative ideas into real-world settings,” said Dr. Thomas Troeger, North American director for REHAU’s furniture business unit. “REHAU is constantly innovating solutions to meet the dynamic and creative needs of designers, and is proud to be able to support the achievement of their ultimate design visions,” said Troeger. “The Leading Edge Design Challenge further facilitates this among future architects and designers, and provides them with a competitive advantage as they shift into their careers. We look forward to seeing this become a popular and successful annual competition across North America.”

The 2013 Leading Edge Design Challenge is sponsored by the Interior Designers of Canada (IDC), Canada’s national advocacy association for the interior design profession.

“We applaud REHAU in launching the Leading Edge Design Challenge for students,” said Susan Wiggins, CEO of IDC. “This contest allows students an opportunity to demonstrate their creativity and ingenuity at solving a problem.”

Registration is open to all students currently enrolled in an undergraduate architecture or design program in the U.S. or Canada, and will begin on Sept. 13, 2013. Students may enter the competition by completing the registration form at www.rehau.na.com/leadingedge until the registration deadline of Jan. 17, 2014. All submissions are due via email to [email protected] by Jan. 31, 2014, and must include a written description and supporting CAD, PDF and JPEG files. A more detailed list of specific submission guidelines is available on the competition website.

All entries will be reviewed by a panel of industry jurors, and one winner will be notified via email on Feb. 23, 2014. The winning student will receive a USD $1,000 prize, and the winning design will be posted to the REHAU North America web site. In addition, the design will be built by REHAU and displayed at industry design shows throughout 2014, including NeoCon ® and IWF ®.

Additional information on REHAU’s 2013 Leading Edge Design Challenge: Thinking Forward can be viewed by visiting www.na.rehau.com/leadingedge.

For more information on the complete line of edgeband solutions and tambour door systems, contact: REHAU, 1501 Edwards Ferry Rd., N.E., Leesburg, Va., 20176. Phone: 1.800.247.9445. Fax: 1.800.627.3428. E-mail: [email protected]. Web site: www.na.rehau.com/furniture.

REHAU delivers “Unlimited Polymer Solutions,” and is the premium worldwide brand for polymer-based innovations and systems in construction, automotive and industry. The company generates continuous growth through its expertise and innovative capabilities in materials development, systems design and surface technology. Approximately 15,000 employees at more than 170 locations around the world ensure success of the independent, privately held company.