Talents d’Archi: A New Interior Design Competition in France

In partnership with Ynov Campus and De Barros Concept | Paris, May 2025

Formica Group’s inaugural competition in France challenged students and aspiring designers to imagine the layout of a 20m² 4-star hotel room, using surfaces from the Formica^® Laminate, FENIX^®, and Homapal^® collections. The focus was on combining functionality and style within a compact space, demonstrating innovation, storytelling, and material expertise.

Out of more than 320 applications from across France, seven finalists were selected to present their projects at the Couvent des Récollets in Paris – a historic and inspiring venue known for hosting design events. The final presentation brought together students, teachers, professionals, and the press for a day filled with creativity, emotion, and high-level design thinking.

An expert jury made up of architects, hospitality specialists, and design professionals evaluated the entries based on aesthetic quality, material use, technical execution, and novelty.

Two standout talents received top honours at the final:

• Victoire Laoué, from the Ynov Bordeaux campus, was awarded the Talents Ynov Prize for her project “Hôtel Le Refuge, Chambre Tangara”. Her concept combined soft, organic shapes with a warm, enveloping colour palette, creating a cocoon-like retreat that balanced elegance and comfort. Her design will be brought to life at full scale by Formica Group and showcased during Paris Design Week 2025.
• Enzo Martin, a high school student from Charente-Maritime, won the Talents Lycéens Prize for his Provence-inspired concept blending contemporary lines with natural textures and light. His reward: a fully funded year of study on the Interior Architecture Bachelor’s course at Ynov Campus.

Talents d’Archi was more than a design challenge – it was a platform for bridging the gap between academic learning and real-world application. Through close engagement with materials and the chance to present in a professional setting, students experienced the process of designing for function and aesthetics.

“This competition perfectly embodies the alliance of innovation, educational engagement, and the showcasing of contemporary materials. The projects demonstrated impressive technical skill and an ability to tell a story through space.” Vanessa Zane, Specification & Sales Coordinator, Formica Group France

Formica Group continues to support design education across Europe. This interior design competition reinforces the versatility of Formica Laminate, FENIX, and Homapal surfaces in building elegant, functional, and sustainable spaces.

From bold colours to soft textures and high-performance finishes, the materials used in this competition are part of our core product offering for designers and specifiers.

Explore the Formica^® Laminate Collection, the ultra-matte world of FENIX^®, and the metallic elegance of Homapal^®, and bring your next interior concept to life.