Design Intervention is one of the leading design studios operating in the Asia Pacific region. Nikki Hunt, principal, says, “One of the key tenets to our design philosophy is that comfort and functionality should never be compromised for the sake of aesthetics. Nowhere is this more true than when planning a kitchen.”
When beginning any kitchen design, the first questions Design Intervention considers is how the space is to be used. Will it be purely functional, for family dining or geared towards entertaining? “We also consider the type of food cooked, Asian or Western for example,” explains Nikki, “the physical traits of the primary cook like their height and even if they are right or left handed. This way we can ensure that everything is perfectly placed and all needs anticipated.
“If multiple cooks are to be catered for then we will allow for more workspace and sufficient passage space too. This way we can create a completely couture kitchen that fits both the functionality and way of living. It is only after the space planning, functional and technical issues have been established that we will make our finish choices and, even with the finishes, practicality is key. In a kitchen hardwearing, easy to clean finishes are vital.”
The kitchens featured here are from two of Design Intervention’s award-winning projects. “The designs of these kitchens are very different but they have one common feature,” explains Nikki, “they each have been tailored to the needs of their respective home owners. ‘Chatsworth Kitchen’ was for a family with four young children and a dad that enjoys cooking.
“We envisioned this room to be the heart of the home, not only a space for family meals, but also kids doing homework and even just hanging out while dad prepares meals. We have allowed for integrated charging stations for iphones and ipads as well as a TV to keep kids amused. The finishes look sleek and glamorous but have all been chosen to be practical too. Bronze gold leather bar stools can be wiped clean and their gas lift function makes them perfect for young children. The granite island top was the star element of the design and the starting point for our colour choice for all the other elements in the room.”
The ‘Bachelorette Pad Kitchen’ is for a single lady and has been designed to be used for one person who seldom entertains. “The brief for this kitchen was for it to be fully integrated into the living space and to include a space to eat in,” says Nikki. “At 153 square feet this is a small space to include all the functional needs of a fully working kitchen and the client had requested that the space would resonate with the same style and glamour as the rest of her home.”
