Starnet Announces the 2025 Design Awards Winners
Showcasing Innovation in Commercial Flooring Design and Installation!
Starnet Commercial Flooring, the world’s largest network of full-service commercial flooring contractors, is pleased to announce the winners of the 2025 Starnet Design Awards. Now in its 27th year, the competition showcases excellence in flooring design and installation, celebrating the collaborative achievements of Starnet Members, architects, designers, and leading commercial flooring brands across North America.
This year’s entries set a new benchmark for creativity and technical execution, with projects completed in 2024 competing across eight categories: Corporate, Education, Healthcare, Hospitality & Public Space, Mixed-Use Developments, Single-Source Interior Contractor, Unique Installation, and Canadian Project of the Year. A panel of industry leaders specializing in flooring, architecture, and design evaluated the projects based on innovation, craftsmanship, and their overall contribution to the built environment.
Gold category winners advanced to consideration for the prestigious Starnet 2025 Grand Prize, awarded to the year’s most outstanding flooring project. The Grand Prize, along with all gold, silver, bronze, and honorable mention honorees, will be celebrated at the Starnet Design Awards gala on April 25, 2025.
Additionally, the competition featured the Rob Starr People’s Choice Award, where Starnet Members—highly skilled commercial flooring contractors—and their supporting Preferred Vendor Partners voted on standout peer projects that exemplify superior workmanship and design.
Grand Prize Winner:
Murrieta Hot Springs Resort – A Historic Revival with Modern Luxury
Universal Metro earned top honors at the 2025 Starnet Design Awards, taking home Gold in both the Hospitality and Public Space categories, along with the coveted Grand Prize, for its work at the revitalized Murrieta Hot Springs Resort.
Tucked into the hills of Southern California, the historic resort—originally established in 1902—has long been known for its natural hot springs and timeless Spanish-style architecture. The recent transformation required a sensitive approach, blending the site’s rich past with the comforts and aesthetics of contemporary wellness design.
Guided by the theme “California Nostalgic,” the interiors reflect a seamless fusion of rustic charm and coastal elegance. In the main building’s reception, café, and guestrooms, warm terracotta-toned tile echoes the resort’s Mediterranean-inspired roofs. In the bathhouse, materials were carefully selected for both resilience and refinement, with earthy matte mosaic tile paired against glossy off-white walls for a clean, modern contrast.
Behind the scenes, high-performance installation materials ensure long-term durability, moisture protection, and a flawless finish—critical to maintaining beauty and function in a hospitality environment.
“Murrieta Hot Springs Resort beautifully balances historic charm with modern luxury. The textures, materials, and overall execution seamlessly align with its design vision,” said Judge Sarah Joubert of Gensler.
Judge Megan Skaalen of Smith Group added, “The complexity of renovating a historic space brings unique challenges, and this project was exceptionally well executed to maintain its integrity while achieving a cohesive, refreshed look.”
The renewed Murrieta Hot Springs Resort is now poised to welcome a new generation of visitors, offering a restorative experience that bridges heritage and modern luxury.
Murrieta Hot Springs Resort, Santa Fe Springs, CA
- Starnet Member: Universal Metro
- Architect: Walter R. Allen Architect + Associates
- Designer: Omgivning | Jordan Johnson
- Starnet Preferred Vendors: Ardex, C/F Data Systems, Daltile, Mapei, Marazzi, Measure Square Corporation, RFMS Measure, Spec-ID
Category Winners:
Gold in Corporate
Consolidated Flooring; Confidential Law Firm
The firm’s office design integrates flexible workspaces with flooring that enhances acoustics and defines distinct areas. A bold red carpet feature in the boardroom adds a dynamic brand statement.
“The mix of materials and bold color choices make this law office stand out—sophisticated yet unexpected,” said Judge Megan Skaalen.
Confidential Law Firm, Chicago, IL
- Starnet Member: Consolidated Flooring
- Designer: geniant | Peter Randolph
- Starnet Preferred Vendors: Johnsonite By Tarkett, Roppe, Tarkett Collection, Uzin Utz North America
Gold in Healthcare
Antex Western; Ksyen Regional Hospital
“The seamless transition of colors and materials enhances the architecture and patient experience,” noted judge Sarah Joubert.
Designed to foster a calming and intuitive patient experience, the hospital’s flooring plan integrates materials that guide movement, enhance well-being, and support care environments.
Ksyen Regional Hospital, Winnipeg, Canada
- Starnet Member: Antex Western
- Designer: HDR Inc. | Jessica Carrillo
- Starnet Preferred Vendors: Altro, Ardex, Gerflor, Johnsonite By Tarkett, Mapei, Measure Square Corporation, RFMS Measure, Tarkett
Gold in Education
Commercial Flooring of Toledo; Owens Community College School of Nursing
With a focus on functionality and aesthetics, the nursing school’s flooring selection supports both rigorous healthcare training and a welcoming atmosphere.
“This project masterfully aligns flooring with the architecture, enhancing both functionality and design integrity,” said Judge Sarah Joubert.
Owens Community College School of Nursing, Toledo, OH
- Starnet Member: Commercial Flooring of Toledo
- Architect: The Buehrer Group | Jamie Tscherne
- Starnet Preferred Vendors: Ardex, Daltile, Futura Industries, Icon Protection, J+J Flooring, Johnsonite By Tarkett, Mapei, Measure Square Corporation, Quantify, Roppe, Tarkett Collection, XL North
Gold in Hospitality & Public Spaces
Universal Metro; Murrieta Hot Springs Resort
The Murrieta Hot Springs Resort renovation honors the site’s Spanish architectural roots while introducing contemporary materials that elevate its historic charm.
“The flooring played a key role in achieving that timeless aesthetic—beautifully selected and expertly executed,” said Judge Sarah Joubert.
Murrieta Hot Springs Resort, Santa Fe Springs, CA
- Architect: Walter R. Allen
- Designer: Omgivning | Jordan Johnson
- Starnet Member: Universal Metro
- Starnet Preferred Vendors: Ardex, C/F Data Systems, Daltile, Mapei, Marazzi, Measure Square Corporation, RFMS Measure, Spec-ID
Gold in Unique Installation Challenge
Tri-State Carpet; Delaware Museum of Nature and Science
Using six distinct flooring colors to define exhibit zones, this installation required intricate hand-cut designs, bringing nature themes to life.
“Every intricate cut, from tree trunks to pond details, was meticulously hand-cut, demonstrating unparalleled craftsmanship,” praised Judge Robert Varden of UNITE.
Delaware Museum of Nature and Science, Wilmington, DE
- Starnet Member: Tri-State Carpet
- Starnet Preferred Vendors: C/F Data Systems, Johnsonite By Tarkett, Tarkett Collection, Uzin Utz North America
Gold in Single Source Interior Contractor
Couvre-Planchers Labrosse; Good News Chapel
The design and construction of the Good News Chapel, from material selection to installation, was carefully considered to create a space that fosters a sense of warmth, tranquility, and purpose.
Judge Sarah Joubert said, “This project is deserving of gold, because it is so well executed.” The judges also noted the stepped auditorium and how difficult it is to get the flooring in on such a project. “I appreciate the complexity and a job well done,” added Judge Megan Skaalen.
Good News Chapel, Laval, Quebec, Canada
- Starnet Member: Couvre-Planchers Labrosse
- Starnet Preferred Vendors: Mapei, Milliken Commercial, RFMS Measure, Tarkett
Gold in Mixed-Use Developments
Consolidated Flooring; Havas
A diverse palette of textures and patterns creates a rich, layered environment, while the strategic use of flooring materials helps define and differentiate key zones throughout the space, enhancing both functionality and visual appeal.
“Havas brought together a bold mix of flooring types in a way that felt cohesive and visually compelling,” said Judge Sarah Joubert. Judge Caitlin Turner added, “It’s a daring design that really stands out.” Judge Megan Skaalen summed it up: “I love it—it’s funky, dynamic, and full of energy.”
Havas, Chicago, IL
- Architect: geniant + Eastlake Studio
- Starnet Member: Consolidated Flooring
- Starnet Preferred Vendors: AHF, Chapco Adhesives/TEC, Futura Industries, Johnsonite By Tarkett, Küberit, Mapei, Mohawk Group, Tarkett, Tarkett Collection
Gold in Canadian Project of the Year
Maxwell Floors; Dogwood Care Home
A defining feature of the project is the hand-crafted in-floor native logo in the Sacred Room—an intricate, meaningful detail that highlights both technical skill and cultural respect. This thoughtful element reinforces the project’s commitment to creating a care environment that is not only functional but also deeply rooted in place and community.
“In Canadian healthcare design, it’s rare to see such refined details due to government funding,” said Judge Caitlin Turner. “This project stands out for honoring Indigenous culture in a way that’s especially important to Vancouver Island.”
Dogwood Care Home, Surrey, British Columbia, Canada
- Architect: DYS Architecture
- Starnet Member: Maxwell Floors
- Starnet Preferred Vendors: AHF, Altro, Johnsonite By Tarkett, Mapei, Measure Square Corporation, Tarkett, Tarkett Collection, Uzin Utz North America, Wagner Meters
The Rob Starr People’s Choice Award
Honoring the legacy of former Starnet Director of Marketing and Member Services Rob Starr, this award continues to recognize projects that resonate within the industry for their craftsmanship and impact. Starnet President & CEO Mark Bischoff reflected, “This award, renamed in Rob’s honor, celebrates the projects that bring our industry together through innovation and excellence.”
Capital Carpet & Flooring Specialists; Hingham Foster Elementary School
This year, the award was presented to Hingham Foster Elementary School by Capital Carpet & Flooring Specialists. The Hingham Foster Elementary School is a state-of-the-art, net-zero-ready facility serving over 600 students from Pre-K through 5th grade. Designed around collaborative learning neighborhoods and inclusive education spaces, the project integrates sustainable flooring materials that enhance comfort, safety, and acoustics. Selected for its innovation, functionality, and impact on the community, the school sets a new benchmark for educational design.
Hingham Foster Elementary School, Hingham, MA
- Architect: Raymond Design Associates
- Starnet Member: Capital Carpet & Flooring Specialists Starnet
- Starnet Preferred Vendors: Ardex, C/F Data Systems, CLīMIT, Johnsonite By Tarkett, Mapei, Tarkett
Meet the 2025 Judging Panel
- Sarah Joubert, AIA, LEED AP – Principal | Managing Director, Gensler
- Megan Skaalen, CID, IIDA – Senior Principal | Studio Lead, Smith Group
- Caitlin Turner, BAAID MDesign, ARIDO, NCIDQ, LEED GA – Senior Principal | Director of Design, Interiors, HOK
- Honorary Judge for Unique Installation: Robert Varden – President | CEO, UNITE
Submissions for 2026 are NOW OPEN!