Registrations to enter Salão Design Casa Brasil 2013, scheduled to finish this Friday, Feb 22, were put off until March 3. This extension was requested by the participants who were unable to complete their projects by the deadline. The competition, organized by Sindmóveis for 25 years, aims to integrate creativity and technological innovation with furniture and design through design. The prizes in this edition will total R$ 175,000 for the student, professional and industry classes.    So far, there are 490 participants, foreign competitors account for 21.5% of the entries coming from the following countries: Argentina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Spain, USA, France, India, Italy, Mexico, Peru, Syria, Uruguay and Venezuela. The Cuban and Argentinean projects represent the majority of foreign entries.   As in previous years, there is a sharp increase in registrations just before the deadline. According to the director of Salão Design, Cristiano Gallina, despite the large number of projects entered, our priority is the quality of the proposals submitted, their degree of innovation and design. "Every year, the award takes on the characteristics of the fair it is connected to. In relation to Casa  Brasil, our proposal is the creation of high-end contemporary products," he says.   The projects participating in the competition will be evaluated in two phases, the first one will be held on March 12,13 and 14 in Bento Gonçalves. During the first evaluation the judging panel selects the projects that have to be sent in full size. The judging panel consists of renowned professionals and representatives of national and international organizations. The group includes journalist Maria Helena Estrada, the curator of Casa Brasil, and the professors who took part in the judging panel of Salão Design Movelsul 2012, Ivens Fontoura (PUC-PR) and Gabriel Simón Sol (Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana – Mexico). Designer Leonardo Lattavo from Rio de Janeiro and architect Ilse Lang from Rio Grande do Sul are also part of the panel.   In addition to the cash prizes given to the seven categories, the products also compete for other traditional Salão Design trophies: Master Teacher Award, Alternative Woods Award and the new Ecodesign Award, a trophy added for this year’s competition. The award winners will be announced in July 2013. All products selected for the second phase will take part in the Salão Design exhibition together with the award winners during Casa Brasil 2013 fair – August 13 – 16. For more information and the regulations, visit www.salaodesign.com.br.   Salão Design Casa Brasil 2013 – categories   Furniture for Bedrooms Furniture for Dining and Living Rooms Furniture for Kitchens, Laundry Rooms and Bathrooms Outdoor Furniture Home-Office and Office Furniture (including furniture for commercial and public areas) Home Utensils  Lighting