Airy, light and full of fresh, natural energy, this kitchen space, designed by Enhance Building Company, is a far cry from its original iteration. Here, the dark wood paneling has been replaced with bright colors, bright hardwoods and, well, bright light in general to make an accessible kitchen design that feels more like a terrace.
In their design, Enhance created a calculated combination of functionality and friendliness. A gathering point in the home, they wanted to prioritize comfort and community for everyone who enters the kitchen and its adjoining dining area.
Designing for Wellness
From the daylight that floods the space (the windows and building were carefully oriented to minimize glare) to the nature-inspired motifs (the lotus-leaf tile backsplash behind the range) and organic materials, the kitchen is a serene and welcoming place.
“Practically the entire design of the space revolved around establishing a sense of peace, calm and well-being,” said Sam Elder of Enhance Building Company – who also happens to be the homeowner.
Even the selection of specific electronics and building systems are meant to reflect this governing philosophy. The ventilation for the fume hood, which originally called for an internal blower, instead uses an external system to account for harsh noise within the space. An energy-efficient, forced-air geothermal system is also used to heat the entire home quietly and cleanly.
Accessible to All
In addition to wellness considerations, several design features promote intergenerational and physical accessibility. All the work aisles around the main kitchen island were dimensioned to accommodate wheelchair users, as were the height and clearance of the dining table at the banquette. The banquette itself is positioned to make serving and clean-up easier while also reinforcing the link to the kitchen. The island is also oriented toward the living room, facilitating connections with friends and family.
The cabinets were zoned to keep kids safely out of the active cooking areas. Snack drawers and a pull-out trash bin are located on the outward-facing parts of the cabinet runs, clear of highly trafficked parts of the kitchen.
And throughout the home, doorways and openings are extra wide, with an elevator servicing every floor of the house.
Another version of this article originally appeared on our sister site, KBB Online.
