Armstrong World Industries announces “ideas 2 reality,” a professional design competition to showcase Armstrong commercial products in either an “idea” or a “reality” stage and to acknowledge talented and visionary design professionals.

For the idea portion of the contest, architects and interior designers can upload sketches or renderings created with Armstrong flooring or ceiling products in mind, providing them with an outlet to share creative concepts without having a finished installation. The reality portion is where specifiers can upload pictures of completed projects where Armstrong ceiling or flooring products were used.

Conducted in conjunction with the International Interior Design Association (IIDA), the competition has four categories: two “idea” categories, one for flooring and one for ceilings/walls, and two “reality” categories, one for flooring and one for ceilings/walls. There will be a winner in each category. The competition recognizes that the right floor and ceiling add immeasurably to the beauty and function of the education, healthcare, retail, corporate, or hospitality environment. Client satisfaction is key, and architects and designers recognize the value of specifying the highest quality materials along with the latest in design and technology.

Prizes Include Spa Vacations or Cash and Catered Events. Each of the two winners of the idea portion of the competition will receive a $2,500 Spa vacation or cash equivalent. The two winners of the reality portion will each receive a crystal trophy and an exclusive catered event for their firm. The prizes have an estimated value of $2,500. All winners also will receive an Apple iPad2.

Idea category winners will be determined by an online popular vote. Reality category winners will be determined by a panel of IIDA professionals that includes Anne-Marie Gianoudis, IIDA, LEED AP, Gresham Smith and Partners, Birmingham, Alabama; Susanne Molina, IIDA, CID, LEED AP, ID+C, Klawiter and Associates, Los Angeles, California; and Stacy Reed, IIDA, LEED AP, ID+C, Gensler, Austin, Texas.

Deadline for Submissions Is October 28th. To enter the idea category, entrants must submit an online entry with perspective sketches or renderings. For the reality category, entrants must enter online and upload photographs of the finished installation. Reality projects must have been completed in 2009 or later. If an idea or reality entry uses both flooring and ceilings/walls, the entrant may submit it in more than one category.

Submissions will be judged on the creativity of the design, the use of Armstrong products, originality of the design, and the successful incorporation of other interior products.

For more information and to submit entries for the Armstrong “ideas 2 reality” Design Competition, please click here.