Description:

The client wanted their kitchen with a sense of openness towards the lounge area, allowing for views of the surrounding bush. They required a large island bench that would accommodate at least four people and would serve as the heart of the home for socialising, dining, and food preparation. Clever and considered storage with wide, deep pull-out drawers and a centralised space for organic waste, recycling, and general waste were key elements. A lot of the food is prepared from scratch so one of the requirements was to have a dedicated area for pasta making with a bench surface to which a pasta maker could clamp.

We designed a kitchen that reflects the beauty of the surrounding native bush and the craft culture of Titirangi while being sympathetic to the clients' humble 1950s wooden-framed house. By removing the dividing wall between the kitchen and lounge and replacing it with structural steel, the design opened up the kitchen towards the lounge and created more vistas towards the bush. Embracing the structure of the steel beams, we were able to suspend the peninsula, pivot lights, and spice station. The result is a vibrant and productive bazaar-like atmosphere acting as the social hub of the house with scents, colours and rich, crafted textures stimulating the senses.

The kitchen design balances modernity and humility with a bold use of materials and textures. Oiled recycled rimu and hand-turned knobs contrast with the visual lightness of the steel framework. Folded steelwork was blackened through a chemical reaction to intensify its surface quality and increase water resistance. The colour palette is inspired by the bush with a soft lichen hue powder-coated on the steel cabinets and deep red accents on structural elements. Terracotta tiles were added to the kitchen flooring area, complementing the warmth of the recycled rimu. Additionally, three custom handcrafted lamp shades were created with black sand mixed into the clay as a nod to the West Coast beaches.

The design also integrates functional, user-specific elements such as a built-in sliding chopping board, an integrated compost collection, and drain grooves carved into the rimu benchtop next to the sink.