Excellence in commercial flooring design has reached new heights, as evidenced by the winners of the 2025 Starnet Design Awards. Now in its 27th year, this prestigious competition continues to set the standard for what's possible when skilled contractors, visionary architects, and innovative manufacturers collaborate on commercial spaces across North America.

This year's entries pushed creative boundaries while demonstrating technical mastery, with projects completed in 2024 competing across eight distinct categories, including Corporate, Education, Healthcare, and Mixed-Use Developments. The competition culminated in the selection of a Grand Prize winner from among the gold category champions, recognizing the year's most outstanding flooring achievement.

The 2025 Starnet Design Awards were evaluated by a distinguished panel of industry leaders who brought diverse expertise in architecture, interior design, and commercial flooring to the judging process. Megan Skaalen, CID, IIDA, senior principal and studio lead at SmithGroup, provided insights from her extensive experience in integrated design solutions. Caitlin Turner, BAAID MDesign, ARIDO, NCIDQ, LEED GA, served as senior principal and director of design for interiors at HOK, contributing her expertise in sustainable and innovative interior environments. Sarah Joubert, AIA, LEED AP, brought her perspective as principal and managing director at Gensler, one of the world's leading architecture and design firms. Robert Varden, president and CEO of UNITE, a division of IFCTA, served as the specialized judge for the Unique Installation Challenge, offering his deep knowledge of commercial flooring installation techniques and industry standards. Together, this panel ensured that winning projects were recognized not only for their aesthetic appeal but also for their technical excellence, innovation, and contribution to the built environment.

The awards' peer-driven approach was further highlighted through the Rob Starr People's Choice Award, where Starnet Members and their Preferred Vendor Partners directly recognized projects demonstrating exceptional craftsmanship within their professional community. These results reflect more than outstanding flooring installations—they celebrate the collaborative partnerships that fuel innovation and excellence in commercial design.

Grand Prize Winner + Gold in Hospitality & Public Spaces
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.

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.

Gold in Healthcare
Antex Western; Ksyen Regional Hospital

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.

“The seamless transition of colors and materials enhances the architecture and patient experience,” noted judge Sarah Joubert.

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.

 

Gold in Unique Installation
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.

  

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.

  

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.”

 

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 and Canadians.”

The Rob Starr People’s Choice Award
Capital Carpet & Flooring Specialists; Hingham Foster Elementary School 

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.”

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 fifth 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.