HACKETTSTOWN, NJ – The National Kitchen & Bath Assn. (NKBA) announced that the 2009 NKBA Design Competition: Art of the Industry will be the largest ever.

Recognizing the importance of the competition in the industry, the NKBA has decided to more than double the cash prizes in 2009 to over $100,000. Of that amount, $25,000 will be presented to the winner of the Pinnacle of Design Award, which honors the year's top design. Two new categories have also been added to the competition for 2009: Best Sustainable Kitchen, sponsored by GE Monogram, and Best Sustainable Bath, sponsored by Rheem.

In addition, the NKBA welcomes This Old House as sponsor of the Best Before & After category and American Woodmark as sponsor for all of the competition's 3-D modeling.

The competition spans 10 categories, from small bathrooms to open-plan kitchens, and also includes showrooms and other rooms. Each category will have a first, second and third place winner, as well as an honorable mention.

The ten first place winners will each receive $2,000, while second place finalists will receive $1,000, and third-place finishers $500. In addition, larger cash prizes will be awarded to the six “Best of” award winners. Read more.