Meet the 3 students from the Faculty of Architecture who participated in the 13th Annual NEXT Steelcase student competition
The University of Manitoba Faculty of Architecture Master of Interior Design Studio 3 participated in the 13th Annual NEXT Steelcase Student Competition during the Fall 2025 term.
The international competition brought together more than 1,700+ interior design students from accredited programs across America, Canada, and Mexico, with each participating design studio permitted to submit up to two (2) student projects for consideration.
This year’s competition challenged students to design a workplace and company branding for a fictional creative law firm called NEXT, across the fourth floor of ROW DTLA located in downtown Los Angeles, CA. Measuring approximately 15,200 ft2. Students were asked to ground their designs in the company mantra of “rooted in law, driven by legacy,” which required a strong focus on creating community and inclusive design elements.
The students were judged by an esteemed panel of design leaders from some of the world’s most respected and well-known design and architecture firms. From over 1,700+ submissions from universities all over the Americas, projects are pared down to five (5) finalists, who are then invited to in-person pitch their presentations to the panel at Steelcase in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Both University of Manitoba’s two submissions advanced through the first and second rounds of professional jury review, earning placement among the “Final 68,” all students who participated.
Kleighton Burns, MID3 Sessional Instructor, shared the following:
“I cannot express how proud I am of the students’ hard work, creativity, and dedication throughout this competition. They have truly raised the bar for future students, and it has been an honour to watch their ideas develop into such thoughtful designs. I am equally proud of the entire Master of Interior Design Studio 3 cohort, each student developed new skills, and produced work that reflects the high standard of design education within this faculty.”
The Faculty of Architecture’s Interior Design Department extends its congratulations to all participating students! This achievement marks the 3rd consecutive year that University of Manitoba Master of Interior Design students have reached the NEXT Steelcase Top 5 Semi-Finals, and the 4th consecutive year that the program has placed among the ~Top 1% of competitors!
The Grand Prize Winner and top Semi-Finalists receive monetary cash prizes for both the student contribution to school’s design program or to a charity of their choice. An all-expenses paid trip to Steelcase University to present project to judges panel, meetings with Steelcase executives and other learning opportunities. Including: flights to Grand Rapids, MI, hotel accommodation, meals and transportation during the stay. One custom ordered Gesture, Karman, Think or SILQ chair. Aswell as, recognition as the grand prize winner in select Steelcase marketing.
Please note: The NEXT Steelcase Grand Finals will take place through in-person jury deliberations in February, with the final competition results to be announced on Friday, February 27, 2026. More information on the competition can be viewed here: https://www.steelcase.com/about/information/architects-designers/next-student-design-competition
Fingers crossed for more good news regarding the Grand Finals, and we look forward to competing once again next year!
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