CONCRETE Elegance
EACH KITCHEN DESIGN IS A FULL PROJECT IN ITS OWN RIGHT THAT REQUIRES UNDERSTANDING IN CABINETRY, SPACE CIRCULATION, MATERIALS AND LIGHTING. THANKFULLY WE’VE GOT A PROFESSIONAL, WADIH
BACHOUR OF KLIF – KITCHEN LIGHTING AND FURNITURE PROFESSIONALS – FOR THE DUSTY, MESSY JOURNEY OF KITCHEN REMODELING
THE ACTUAL DESIGN PROCESS IS SEPARATED INTO FOUR STAGES:
• Stage 1 Preliminary design based on the first meeting; lay-outs, elevations, materials and budgeting. • Stage 2 KLIF develops design details, rendered elevations and 3D modeling. • Stage 3 On-site measurements and preparation of electrical-mechanical drawings based on site constraints and final selection of appliances. • Stage 4 Internal construction drawings for production.
WADIH RECOMMENDS…
• Two basket or pan drawers instead of turning doors for storage. • Two large drawers under sink instead of two turning doors. • Limit the slim drawers only for the first two drawers. • Dishwasher on the left is sometimes the solution. • Integrated hood in wall cabinet (instead of free standing). • Minimize push to open door or drawer. • Minimize 60cm door widths. • Linear LED lighting instead of individual downlights. • Sink and cooking hub as close to each other as possible.
PREFERRED LAY-OUT
A large island in the middle of the space used for preparation and seating/eating extension, a wall elevation presenting a sink and cooking hub, and a parallel or perpendicular wall with a series of wall units.
With the PURE kitchen model from Steininger, the name says it all. The integrated solid wood table and stainless steel revolving herbs bed are not only functional elements, but also allow PURE'S surface materials to come alive – particularly in combination with concrete. PURE can be manufactured using concrete with a thickness of just 8mm. Concrete is heat-resistant and food-safe, as if made for use in the kitchen – but extremely difficult to work with. Designer Martin Steininger developed a procedure to make the concrete so thin that it was suff iciently light, but not brittle, and still able to maintain its interesting surface texture.