Led by design
Central to part three of our series on future-focused kitchens is manaakitanga, the Māori concept of hospitality.
Your future kitchen.
You’re welcome
Interior architects Toni Brandso and Olivia Patience of Auckland studio Material Creative see the kitchen becoming a fusion of residential and restaurant — as smooth-running as a commercial kitchen, thanks to a clever design like this and its menu of leading appliances by Fisher & Paykel, but with the casual familiarity and domesticity of home, supporting true hospitality.
“‘Manaakitanga’ is a Māori word that loosely translates to ‘hospitality’ and reflects a traditional value that’s hugely important to Aotearoa’s indigenous culture,” says Toni. “We believe the art of hosting guests translates naturally from commercial hospitality spaces to residential homes. We all enjoy going out to eat, but with us spending more time at home these days, our kitchens will continue to become a central point for connecting with family and hosting friends, as well as a place where we can feel like we’re part of something bigger.”
Hosting with heart
“Hospitality is at the heart of what we do at Material Creative and here, drawing inspiration from our hotel and hospitality industry projects, we’ve designed a multi-purpose entertainer’s kitchen based around the concept of the chef’s table,” says Olivia.
A change from a standard linear look, gentle curves and custom-made furniture fill this space, in which the island is the stage for the theatre of cooking for an audience seated at a banquette. In sleek black glass, a Fisher & Paykel induction cooktop with downdraft ventilation is unobtrusive in the island, removing the need for a rangehood while providing impressive results. An arrangement as efficient as that in your favourite restaurant sees Fisher & Paykel DishDrawer dishwashers integrated into the island too, in single drawers on either side of the sink, serving both the kitchen and the adjacent bar area, and coming in handy between courses. On the back wall, large-capacity Fisher & Paykel ovens make hosting any number of invitees a cinch, while offering cooking tips and recipes via touchscreens to help you upskill to head chef status in no time.
Cheers to that
To one side of the island in this kitchen sits a bar area to operate as a spot in which the sommelier of the house can show off their talents. Operating like a maître d’s buff station, a freestanding server is set on hidden castor wheels to form a flexible piece of furniture that means guests can be greeted on arrival with standing starters and refreshments poured straight from the integrated Fisher & Paykel column wine cabinet. This caters to all tastes via two independent Variable Temperature Zones, such precise control allowing cellaring and serving at the same time, so you’re able to pull off wine and food pairing like a pro.
As all good hosts know, prepping is key to a successful occasion, and next to the bar, a door crafted from striking amber glass connects to a scullery where you can tuck away any number of finished dishes till you’re ready to reveal them — or easily store them in the Fisher & Paykel integrated column fridge and freezer beside it — they have separate temperature zones with ActiveSmart tech that keeps food fresher, a chilled water dispenser, and an ice maker with Boost that’s ideal when entertaining.
This kitchen’s material palette is also a feast for the eyes. Burgundy cabinetry and herringbone flooring surround extra texture and colour in dapper details like the island and matching chopping board in Rosso Levanto granite. It’s a luxe space intended to satiate your appetite for good times with loved ones at home.