Lighting the Future: K-State Students Showcase Innovation in the 2026 Design Competition With RensenHouse of Lights

At Kansas State University’s College of Architecture, Planning & Design (APDesign), innovation is more than a classroom concept—it’s a hands-on experience. That spirit was on full display during the 2026 Rensen House of Lights Student Design Competition, where more than 60 third-year students demonstrated how thoughtful lighting can transform the way people interact with products and spaces. (Kansas State University)

Where Creativity Meets Real-World Design

Hosted by APDesign’s Department of Interior Architecture & Industrial Design, the annual competition challenged students in Interior Design, Interior Architecture, and Industrial Design to use lighting as a central design element. From immersive retail environments to community-focused spaces and innovative lighting products, each project explored how light can shape atmosphere, improve functionality, and enhance the human experience. (Kansas State University)

Made possible through the support of Tom Rensenhouse and Rensen House of Lights in Lenexa, Kansas, the competition provides students with a valuable opportunity to present their work before experienced design professionals and receive meaningful industry feedback. (Kansas State University)

Learning Beyond the Classroom

One of the competition’s greatest strengths is its focus on experiential learning. Students not only develop creative concepts but also gain experience presenting their ideas to professional jurors, refining their communication skills, and responding to constructive critiques.

Faculty members emphasized that opportunities like this bridge the gap between academic learning and professional practice. By tackling real-world design challenges, students build confidence while developing the technical and conceptual skills needed for successful careers in architecture, interior design, and industrial design. (Kansas State University)

Industry Professionals Recognize Outstanding Talent

Judges from across the design and lighting industries praised the students’ creativity, professionalism, and ability to balance aesthetics with function. Their feedback reinforced the quality of education and innovation taking place within APDesign.

The competition concluded with awards recognizing exceptional student work across all three disciplines.

Congratulations to all of the students whose creativity and dedication earned recognition in this year’s competition. (Kansas State University)

Building the Next Generation of Designers

Competitions like the Rensen House of Lights Student Design Competition do more than recognize outstanding student work—they prepare future design professionals for careers that demand creativity, collaboration, and innovation. By partnering with industry leaders, APDesign continues to provide students with opportunities to test ideas, solve meaningful design challenges, and build connections that extend beyond the classroom.

As these emerging designers continue to push the boundaries of lighting, architecture, and product design, they are helping shape environments that are not only beautiful but also functional, engaging, and centered on the people who use them.

The 2026 competition serves as another example of how Kansas State University is empowering students to turn bold ideas into impactful designs—one light at a time. (Kansas State University)

Thank you Kansas State University for letting us get to experience the creative magic with you!