Room Of The Week
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Room of the Week: A Recycled Kitchen That Connects to Nature
A strong connection to the garden and recycled and reused materials were important, as was a relaxed vibe
In a Q&A format, we talk to the designers – and examine the creative thinking – behind some of Houzz’s most loveable rooms.
Starting point
The garden and the existing kitchen were the starting point. All new work had to re-use all of the existing materials, fixtures and fittings as well as have the lowest possible embodied energy.
The garden and the existing kitchen were the starting point. All new work had to re-use all of the existing materials, fixtures and fittings as well as have the lowest possible embodied energy.
Key design aspects
Colour palette: White, black and tan.
Materials palette: White plasterboard walls, blackbutt floor, doors and windows with Cutek oil finish (Synteko oil on the floor). The ceiling structure is recycled-blue gum exposed joists with Victorian ash lining boards. Hoop pine ply carcasses and doors were added to the existing joinery, which has hoop pine carcasses and form-ply door and drawer fronts. The benchtops are stainless steel with an integrated stainless-steel sink.
Key pieces of furniture/fittings: The dining table was designed and made by Dunn & Hillam Architects and consists of a recycled-Tasmanian blackwood top with custom-made stainless-steel legs. The kitchen trolley bench was also custom made by Dunn & Hillam out of an off-cut from an Ikea kitchen benchtop, a custom-made stainless-steel frame and shelves that were off-cuts of blackbutt floorboards. The bentwood chairs are from Thonet.
Colour palette: White, black and tan.
Materials palette: White plasterboard walls, blackbutt floor, doors and windows with Cutek oil finish (Synteko oil on the floor). The ceiling structure is recycled-blue gum exposed joists with Victorian ash lining boards. Hoop pine ply carcasses and doors were added to the existing joinery, which has hoop pine carcasses and form-ply door and drawer fronts. The benchtops are stainless steel with an integrated stainless-steel sink.
Key pieces of furniture/fittings: The dining table was designed and made by Dunn & Hillam Architects and consists of a recycled-Tasmanian blackwood top with custom-made stainless-steel legs. The kitchen trolley bench was also custom made by Dunn & Hillam out of an off-cut from an Ikea kitchen benchtop, a custom-made stainless-steel frame and shelves that were off-cuts of blackbutt floorboards. The bentwood chairs are from Thonet.
Thinking behind the arrangement of furniture
All recycled and re-used and aimed at making a strong connection between growing food (garden and chickens), preparation (kitchen) and consumption (dining table). It was also to be a social space used for reading the paper, homework, and hosting dinner parties.
All recycled and re-used and aimed at making a strong connection between growing food (garden and chickens), preparation (kitchen) and consumption (dining table). It was also to be a social space used for reading the paper, homework, and hosting dinner parties.
Challenges you worked around
The existing building, re-using all existing fixtures, fittings, and materials.
Why do you think this room works:
It does all of the basics well: good light and ventilation; a well-planned food preparation area; it uses natural materials and connects directly with the garden. Overall, it does not try too hard and is very relaxed.
Tell us
What do you love about this room? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, save the story, and join in the conversation.
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The existing building, re-using all existing fixtures, fittings, and materials.
Why do you think this room works:
It does all of the basics well: good light and ventilation; a well-planned food preparation area; it uses natural materials and connects directly with the garden. Overall, it does not try too hard and is very relaxed.
Tell us
What do you love about this room? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, save the story, and join in the conversation.
More
See more inspiring Room of the Week stories
Answers by Ashley Dunn, co-director and principal architect, Dunn & Hillam Architects
Who lives here: A family with two children, one kelpie, two chickens and eight fish
Location: Botany, NSW
Room purpose and size: Kitchen/dining room
Brief
A functional kitchen with a dining table to fit eight. The clients wanted to re-use all existing cabinetry and distinguish the new cabinetry from the existing. They also requested recycled materials and natural finishes, good light and natural ventilation as well as a strong connection to the garden.