Design Statement
This design began with a search to identify the characteristics, challenges and distinctiveness that would set the building blocks of tomorrow’s modern kitchen. In order to create a truly sustainable space, we need to weave inherent longevity into the very basis of the design concept. And in today’s ever changing world longevity equals flexibility.
There are various factors that along with all the sustainability requirements are imposing continuous adjustments on the modern family: technological advancements, social evolution, personal life changes, as well as, constant desire for change.
At this point became clear that ideally tomorrow’s kitchen would have to adapt and grow as the family grows and progresses through life. It would have toLove you & Love your world – literally. Therefore, every attempt was made create a space that is flexible and free-flowing, that works as a closed system in order to provide comfort and functionality in every situation or stage of life along with energy, food, clean water and recycling. Some of the major design elements that were created to facilitate this solution were:
- Ceiling track system was provided to allow for the movement of most of the kitchen storage areas.
- Adjustable shelves make it easy to create additional /as much as counter space is desired. Also, object can be easily moved to be out of young children’s reach.
- There is a possibility to change the layout of the space entirely by chunking some of the movable lower cabinets together to create a kitchen island.
- Some of the lighting is adjustable to allow for flexibility when light is desired in certain areas more than others.
- The kitchen table rotates to open up the space and create a more social setting.
- The TV moves along the space and can be placed where desired.
- Recycling is incorporated in the kitchen cabinetry.
- All appliances are energy efficient.
- All used materials for construction are either C2C or have demonstrated highly efficient life-cycle analysis results.
- All water from the kitchen is made to circulate through a living machine system that first cleans then disinfects 100% of the water and ultimately uses it for irrigation in the food garden, which produces food to be cooked in the kitchen.
- Permeable concrete surface on the patio allows for rain water collection.
- Organic compost is produced in the kitchen to be used as fertilizer in the food garden.
- All exterior window glazing is Solar Glass and acts as an energy source.
- The two exterior side walls of the garden contain vertical wind turbines and generate additional energy.
The main intent of this design was to create an environment that evolves and grows with you, a space that responds to your needs however and whenever you need it to and helps you through transitions as life changes every day for you and around you. It is a space that ensures sustainability through inherent longevity and it ultimately works for you, grows with you, adapts to you, lives and changes around you and fundamentally Loves you & your world.
