November 29, 2021

BlueStar, a manufacturer of high-performance residential kitchen appliances, announced Rasmussen/Su Architects of Philadelphia, Pa., has won the grand prize in its annual Kitchen Design Competition. The contest recognizes designers, architects, builders and remodelers from across the country and shows how performance, color and customization can come together to create a bespoke, highly functional and luxurious kitchen space.

View the gallery of the winning projects and finalists HERE.

“The BlueStar design competition celebrates talented kitchen designers who are pushing the boundaries of color and creativity to help their clients realize their dream kitchens,” said Eliza Sheffield, president, BlueStar. “With our distinctive combination of restaurant-grade performance and unrivaled customization options, including 1000+ colors and finishes, BlueStar offers trade professionals truly unique options for clients looking to create statement kitchens.”

Grand prize winner Rasmussen/Su is an award-winning architecture firm specializing in custom residential design. Working together since 1995, firm principals Kevin C. Rasmussen, AIA LEED, AP and Vivian M. Su, LEED AP, bring diverse backgrounds and a collaborative spirit to the design process. The winning eat-in transitional galley kitchen features wide-plank light oak floors, dark blue Shaker cabinets and a 60-in. BlueStar RNB range with a Manhattan kitchen hood.

“We often work on old townhomes in Philadelphia, and it’s always a dimensional challenge to maximize functionality, light and space and make it feel connected to the rest of the house,” said Su. “This kitchen is only a little over 14 feet wide, but by expanding the views and consolidating the closed storage, we made it feel like an expansive kitchen, with the gorgeous 60-in. BlueStar range as the centerpiece.”

In addition to Rasmussen/Su Architects, five finalists were also recognized:

• Angela Free and Lillian Byers, Angela Free Design, San Francisco, Calif.
• Steve Cooper, Cooper Pacific Kitchens, West Hollywood, Calif.
• Hillary Gilkey, HGC Design Build, Tampa, Fla.
• Carolyn Michaelson, Carolyn Michaelson, RA LEED AP, Covington, Ky.
• Karen Swanson, New England Design Works, Gloucester, Mass.

The judging panel included Regan Baker, Regan Baker Design, San Francisco; Caroline Smith, Caroline V. Smith Interiors, Memphis, Tenn., the 2019 Design Competition winner; and Lynn Kloythanomsup, Landed Interiors & Homes, Berkeley, Calif., and last year’s Grand Prize winner.

The 2022 competition is open for entries from now through July 20, 2022. There are no style restrictions. A minimum of one BlueStar cooking appliance as the primary cooking appliance is required. Ranges, rangetops, refrigerators, gas and electric ovens and cooktops meet this requirement. Rules and entry criteria can be found here.