This intriguing home is surrounded by sub tropical ancient rainforest and has been designed to be a part of thelandscape. The kitchen was the key interior space and the owners wanted to start designing this very early in the overall building design process. The kitchen needed to reflect the style and mood of what has been created externally plus capturing the view of the surrounding bush and valley below.

The clients run a very successful multinational business and work from home most days. They wanted a space that would act as a centre point for all activities so it was important for the design to be innovative and aid the transition from day to day family life to the sophistication required when being an entertainer’s kitchen on weekends.

The positioning of the windows and doors were paramount in the design. This was the only way to bring the outside in and to frame the naturally created canvass of the Australian bush. Picture windows were positioned on the splashback wall and in the pantry to keep the user connected to the stunning flora and fauna exhibited outside. The rosewood sliding doors then bring the natural element into the space providing warmth and an even greater connection to the natural surrounds.

Aside from the architectural elements showcased in the space the key feature of this kitchen is the island. It houses a Linak Lift System that can be accessed on both sides of the island. From the sink side, the lift system reveals access to small appliances that are used frequently. The bench top on this side has been designed and manufactured to finish at the same height as the external bench top. On the reverse side a bar is revealed that houses beverages, glassware and other serving utensils. So the island can then be used throughout the day to
prepare meals then as a bar in the evenings for pre dinner drinks.The clients wanted to enable multiple users in the space and this has been easily created with a main working zone and the flow from the pantry and outdoor kitchen. The main zone is within the main kitchen space. The workflow happen between the sink, the twin refrigerators and cooktop. This main zone is complimented by the spacious and well laid out pantry then the additional flow out to the outdoor kitchen. So no matter what position you hold in the preparation of a meal ‐ sous chef, cook and server, you will always remains connected to other kitchens user and guests. The open plan layout also allows the space to remain the hub of the home and the pivotal point in the living spaces.

For easy access to utensils, cutlery, plates and other kitchen items Blum stainless steel Intivo soft close drawers with glass drawer sides and Aventos lift system doors to overhead cupboards, were used throughout the space.
This feature brings the kitchen to the user and helps maximise space and increases the overall ergonomics of the kitchen.

Encouraging the style and flow of the space, a Vintec Wine Fridge and Beverage Centre has been used just inside the rear bi‐fold doors. These have been strategically placed to be of use both inside and out. Again enhancing
the clients need for the blur between spaces.

One of the key features of this kitchen is the use of solid surface. This durable product has been used both vertically and horizontally, indoors, on the door and drawer fronts and island table then outdoors again on the drawer fronts and more casual high bar table.

The main colour scheme of Staron “Sleek Silver” was chosen for all vertical surfaces to meet the clients brief of a achromatic colour palette. Rosewood was used again, framed by galvanised steel, to accent the space via the ceiling that runs the full length of the kitchen and extends out to over the outdoor kitchen as well. The Rosewood has also been used in the floating shelves to again accent while bring warmth to the space. This detail keeps the space, both inside and out, connected. The linear elements continue with the use of the aluminium channelling throughout the floor cabinets. The eye is drawn in and around the kitchen space and to the outdoors.

In addition to the Rosewood used throughout the ceiling, textured materials have been used to bring additional substance and depth to the colour palette. Using a linen finished stainless steel for the bench tops provide durability, for day to day use, to a typically hard to maintain material. The Acrylic Couture used to clad the island bench is a metal material interlaced and woven in various ways then embedded in acrylic. The effect created by this unique material brings a whole new meaning to three dimensional.In lighting the space, feature lighting was created by the use of origami inspire pendants, in pewter, that draw the eye up and highlight the detail in the timber ceilings. LED strip lighting has been used to edge light the acrylic panelling on the island. Lighting this unique material gives an illusion that the material inside is dancing while
creating accent lighting to the space. Additional accent lighting, via LED strips in cool white, have been placed above the eye beams. LED downlights have been placed in the underside of the timber ceilings to illuminate the task driven areas of the space. Complimenting the natural light created in the space during daylight hours, more downlights are used throughout the ceiling to ensure there is plenty of ambience at night.

The strong architectural influences set by the external design of the home have definitely continued into the kitchen. The integration of modern technology and materials into a space has blended beautifully with the elements used to compliment the bush surrounds. No longer does a home surrounded by nature need to be something rustic. Raw materials can be moulded to create modern clean lines while adding depth and warmth.