LEESBURG, VA, — REHAU announces Laurah Boogaard as the winner of its first student-focused furniture design competition, entitled “Leading Edge Design Challenge: Thinking Forward.”

Boogaard’s award-winning reception desk design impressed the judges with its modern, clean lines, its creative use of edgebanding as an accent and its ability to be customized.

“The modern aesthetic of the REHAU brand and the term ‘Leading Edge’ represent forward thinking and innovation, which led to the angular form of the desk,” said Boogaard.  “As designers, we are constantly asking ourselves the same question: How do we balance form with function?  In this design, REHAU edgebanding provides both form and function creating angular shapes, horizontal slatting and the red accent band that becomes a functional shelf. While being a functional place to work, this desk also beautifully integrates universal design principles.”

 REHAU’s annual competition is targeted toward undergraduate college and university students in the U.S. and Canada and invites participates to create furniture concepts that feature REHAU edgeband and tambour door products.

In her design, Boogaard was able to leverage her exposure during a previous internship with a kitchen design studio to edgeband, and specifically how it works into laminate and thermofoil cabinetry.

“The great thing about my design is that it can be easily customized for different brands by simply switching out the accent band color, while the wood and white materials keep the piece modern and fresh,” Boogaard explained.

“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, director of the furniture business unit at REHAU.  “We are proud to recognize new and inventive talent like Laurah. REHAU understands the need to constantly look toward the future and always strives to support the achievements and visions of young designers.” 

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.

“This contest is an opportunity for students to demonstrate their creativity and ideas,” said Susan Wiggin, CEO of IDC.  “We congratulate Laurah and applaud REHAU in their continued effort to embrace the new visions of students interested in studying design.” 

Boogaard is a senior majoring in interior design at Kendall College. She is passionate about custom millwork design and hopes to continue to work in the kitchen and bath industry. Boogaard is also very interested in luxury hotel design.

Leading Edge Design Challenge 2014-15

REHAU’s second annual furniture design competition for students, entitled “Leading Edge Design Challenge: Thinking Forward,” opens on Sept. 2, 2014.  Targeted toward undergraduate college and university students, the competition invites participants to create furniture concepts for retail and hospitality applications that feature REHAU edgeband, high-gloss surface and tambour door products.

“For the second annual contest, we’ve decided to zero in on furniture designs for retail and hospitality,” said Troeger. “We’ve also added a new dimension to the judging criteria – manufacturability – so that the students get a better understanding of the practical constraints they may be faced with as their designs move from concept into production.” 

Registration is open to all students currently enrolled in an undergraduate architecture or design program in the U.S. or Canada. Students may enter the competition by completing the registration form at http://na.rehau.com/leadingedge until the registration deadline of Feb. 23, 2015.

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: http://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 18,000 employees at more than 170 locations around the world ensure success of the independent, privately held company.

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