Family functionality was at the heart of the design of a new open plan kitchen in this North Caulfield home, reflected in the perfectly planned space as well as the materiality.
Designed for a young family of five by Mckimm Design, this new two-storey home in Brighton, VIC incorporated a request from the clients that it was to exude a distinctive holiday resort feeling at home. In addition, the home was to be a space to share with their three young children and entertain family and friends.
Little did the homeowners know when they put their plans into motion that their kitchen would be an award winner, winning the Best Freestanding Home Kitchen category in the 2019 Zip Water Kitchen Design Awards – thanks to the inclusion of a Zip HydroTap Elite BCS boiling, chilled, sparkling filtered water tap in Matte Black.
Intelligent spatiality and engaging materiality were displayed through the considered approach of form and texture with subtle curves, natural materials and rigorous architectural values. From the stunning sweep of the benchtop to that incredible pendant light, everything about this kitchen is breath-taking.
The beautifully balanced design is light and bright, yet deep and moody all at once, enhancing the symmetrical aspects of the kitchen while grounding it within the large open plan area.
Keeping in mind the need for family functionality, the designers prioritised durability of materials and flexibility of zones. Hence, the kitchen combines sleek polished concrete floors with warm timber cabinetry, in response to the clients’ preference for a restrained colour palette.
Meanwhile, for a seamless look, the fridge has been integrated into the cabinetry. Generous in size, the kitchen is flooded with light, thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows that look out over a green wall, which brings a touch of nature into the space. This contrasts against the recycled brick wall that can also be seen from the dining area and kitchen.
Family members can choose to eat at the bench, or at the nearby dining table, which is cleverly zoned from the adjacent living area by one of the family’s striking art pieces.
Not only were the award judges suitably impressed with the final result, but the homeowners are also ecstatic, as their contemporary home offers practicality combined with a deliberate sense of comfort.
Photography: Dave Kulesza
