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The 2026 NAHB Student Competition?
Hi, everyone. I plan to join the 2026 NAHB Student Competition. I'm good at AutoCAD and other computer skills in interior design.
I would need some advice on where to start.
Thank you,
T
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4 answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Tantat !
Your enthusiasm is remarkable and I would like to offer some information for you to start with The National Association of Homebuilders Competition. Keep in mind that since you will be entering this competition with a group, you should be meeting with the other students in this group regularly so that you receive the most accurate information and how to apply. The 2026 NAHB Competition will be held in Orlando, Florida, so start making plans now.
So you've read the website and it's still not clear. I agree ! LOL ! My advice is to call Sarah Webber at (202) 266-8654. I suggest phoning for the quickest response. The e-mail is also at the website. Ask specifically how to apply but first make sure the application will or will not be done by your professor or one of the other students. Also ask if you need to attend the three day education that is offered and if the competition is part of that. If so, you'll have to also find out if your professor is going with you and the other students and if the college is paying for the hotel or not. I advise calling for all this information because it is not clear online how to apply.
If your professor had recommended this competition to you, the professor has determined that you are ready at this point to enter. You do not have to do anything special right now, just read the website. It's great that you have the computer skills end of it and keep in mind that this is a home builders competition and you'd be dealing with construction companies. In your spare time, you may want to practice some construction skills, even if it's on a small level, use tools and be advised by your professor. I believe that people enter this competition by submitting a proposal to various construction companies, so clarify this with your professor. Write all the information down so you can refer to it later.
I hope this advice is good for a start and once you call the competition office, they can tell you the exact procedure of applying. Best wishes in all you do !
WEBSITE FOR THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF HOME BUILDERS COMPETITION FOR 2026 https://www.nahb.org/why-nahb/types-of-membership/student-chapter-membership/student-competition
Your enthusiasm is remarkable and I would like to offer some information for you to start with The National Association of Homebuilders Competition. Keep in mind that since you will be entering this competition with a group, you should be meeting with the other students in this group regularly so that you receive the most accurate information and how to apply. The 2026 NAHB Competition will be held in Orlando, Florida, so start making plans now.
So you've read the website and it's still not clear. I agree ! LOL ! My advice is to call Sarah Webber at (202) 266-8654. I suggest phoning for the quickest response. The e-mail is also at the website. Ask specifically how to apply but first make sure the application will or will not be done by your professor or one of the other students. Also ask if you need to attend the three day education that is offered and if the competition is part of that. If so, you'll have to also find out if your professor is going with you and the other students and if the college is paying for the hotel or not. I advise calling for all this information because it is not clear online how to apply.
If your professor had recommended this competition to you, the professor has determined that you are ready at this point to enter. You do not have to do anything special right now, just read the website. It's great that you have the computer skills end of it and keep in mind that this is a home builders competition and you'd be dealing with construction companies. In your spare time, you may want to practice some construction skills, even if it's on a small level, use tools and be advised by your professor. I believe that people enter this competition by submitting a proposal to various construction companies, so clarify this with your professor. Write all the information down so you can refer to it later.
I hope this advice is good for a start and once you call the competition office, they can tell you the exact procedure of applying. Best wishes in all you do !
Michelle recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Jeffrey’s Answer
Hi Tantat,
I'm not an expert in Interior Design, but i have used autocad and use modeling tools with a focus on sustainability.
So, here are a few thoughts for your project:
You may want to focus your NAHB project on how the living environment affects daily life, sustainability, and user experience, then apply immersive AI tools to create high-impact presentations and visualizations. AI-powered platforms like Paintit.ai, InteriorAI, Arcadium 3D, and Spacely enable you to generate photorealistic renders, virtual staging, and interactive walkthroughs, showcasing design innovation far beyond static drawings.
Design Suggestions:
- Position your interior design ideas as essential to home functionality, wellness, and neighborhood identity within a compelling narrative.
- Incorporate universal design principles, flexible spaces, sustainable material selections, and technology integration (these are things that judges tend to place high in their grading)
- Highlight user personas and tailored room concepts (examples like aging in place is becoming increasingly important and flexible family spaces).
- Use immersive visuals (before and after) to drive impact
- Embed virtual tours or animated room transitions in your presentation
Showcasing your ability to incorporate AI will set you up for success in NAHB and future job opportunities.
Jeffrey
I'm not an expert in Interior Design, but i have used autocad and use modeling tools with a focus on sustainability.
So, here are a few thoughts for your project:
You may want to focus your NAHB project on how the living environment affects daily life, sustainability, and user experience, then apply immersive AI tools to create high-impact presentations and visualizations. AI-powered platforms like Paintit.ai, InteriorAI, Arcadium 3D, and Spacely enable you to generate photorealistic renders, virtual staging, and interactive walkthroughs, showcasing design innovation far beyond static drawings.
Design Suggestions:
- Position your interior design ideas as essential to home functionality, wellness, and neighborhood identity within a compelling narrative.
- Incorporate universal design principles, flexible spaces, sustainable material selections, and technology integration (these are things that judges tend to place high in their grading)
- Highlight user personas and tailored room concepts (examples like aging in place is becoming increasingly important and flexible family spaces).
- Use immersive visuals (before and after) to drive impact
- Embed virtual tours or animated room transitions in your presentation
Showcasing your ability to incorporate AI will set you up for success in NAHB and future job opportunities.
Jeffrey
James Constantine Frangos
SOFTWARE ENGINEER SINCE 1972; NUTRITIONIST SINCE 1976.
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Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Good Day Tantat!
Be a shining star in Interior Design with ingenious creations that shall highlight their expositions!
Advance even further in these studies! When you are very experienced, you can train young people. Start making an Interior Design App of your own for young children. Make a submission early to the IDI! See if you can't get a better app for interior design?
Develop your creativity and begin an inspiring journey to transform interior spaces. The Interior Design Institute (IDI) tries to provide an exceptional online Interior Design course tailored to the design market in the USA and specifically designed to align with your career or hobby ambitions.
SEE https://www.theinteriordesigninstitute.com/au/en/code/BN? ALSO https://connect.scad.edu/makeithere/mih-us-student-search/?https://www.theinteriordesigninstitute.com/us/en/ ALSO https://www.nahb.org/Why-NAHB/Types-of-Membership/Student-Chapter-Membership/Student-Competition
Please tell me how people make a tiny house 2 meters by 3 meters? I suppose they have to because who can afford a condominium? The cost of living demands that we seek exorbitant wages!
I volunteer to help USA homeless people with a nutritional rescue formula.
Housing the homeless is a noble pursuit! What are the principles of Interior Design if you have only 6 square meters to work with? People work over 30 years to procure a property!
CHEERS JCF
Be a shining star in Interior Design with ingenious creations that shall highlight their expositions!
Advance even further in these studies! When you are very experienced, you can train young people. Start making an Interior Design App of your own for young children. Make a submission early to the IDI! See if you can't get a better app for interior design?
Develop your creativity and begin an inspiring journey to transform interior spaces. The Interior Design Institute (IDI) tries to provide an exceptional online Interior Design course tailored to the design market in the USA and specifically designed to align with your career or hobby ambitions.
SEE https://www.theinteriordesigninstitute.com/au/en/code/BN? ALSO https://connect.scad.edu/makeithere/mih-us-student-search/?https://www.theinteriordesigninstitute.com/us/en/ ALSO https://www.nahb.org/Why-NAHB/Types-of-Membership/Student-Chapter-Membership/Student-Competition
Please tell me how people make a tiny house 2 meters by 3 meters? I suppose they have to because who can afford a condominium? The cost of living demands that we seek exorbitant wages!
I volunteer to help USA homeless people with a nutritional rescue formula.
Housing the homeless is a noble pursuit! What are the principles of Interior Design if you have only 6 square meters to work with? People work over 30 years to procure a property!
CHEERS JCF
Good day, sir
Thank you for the advice.
Now I'm studying for the Architectural Drafting Certificate at a community college in Colorado. My prof. told the class about this competition. We will compete as a group of 4-6 students. This is my first time. I just don't know where to start. T^T
I want to join this competition to learn how to work with these people, the working environment, and how to blend in, etc.
Thank you,
T
Tantat
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Tantat,
That sounds like an exciting project to work on. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) has two different streams for their student competition: Production Home Build and Custom/Small Home Build. It's a group competition, and you'll compete for your school.
You find the guidelines here:
https://www.nahb.org/why-nahb/types-of-membership/student-chapter-membership/student-competition/nahb-student-competition-four-year-programs-production
https://www.nahb.org/why-nahb/types-of-membership/student-chapter-membership/student-competition/nahb-student-competition-four-year-programs-custom
Have a look at the problem guidelines. I left some links for you below. You can also look up proposals and presentations of last year's winners on the websites above to get an idea what the final looks like.
Since your professor mentioned the program, they might guide and organize the process? I would assume that they are not doing this for the first time. You can ask for clarification. You can also find out if there is a group of students at your school who did this last year.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
Problem Statement Custom - https://drive.google.com/file/d/16msI3ShlqwmzZQ7QLbBpzi4sxDWkSFQy/view
Location: https://minerscovelakemartin.com/
Problem Statement Production Home Build - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1r4ijimwE_-hBa3NOGJvtoVtJ5HmnAYHW/view?pli=1
Materials: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1JGa0LTeqC_Q5BsUDzm0Vx_s9wCjmosWX
That sounds like an exciting project to work on. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) has two different streams for their student competition: Production Home Build and Custom/Small Home Build. It's a group competition, and you'll compete for your school.
You find the guidelines here:
https://www.nahb.org/why-nahb/types-of-membership/student-chapter-membership/student-competition/nahb-student-competition-four-year-programs-production
https://www.nahb.org/why-nahb/types-of-membership/student-chapter-membership/student-competition/nahb-student-competition-four-year-programs-custom
Have a look at the problem guidelines. I left some links for you below. You can also look up proposals and presentations of last year's winners on the websites above to get an idea what the final looks like.
Since your professor mentioned the program, they might guide and organize the process? I would assume that they are not doing this for the first time. You can ask for clarification. You can also find out if there is a group of students at your school who did this last year.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
Karin recommends the following next steps: