A Fusion of Modern and Traditional Styles
April 10, 2024
Mrinmoy Dey
The USP of this kitchen is taking existing elements and weaving them seamlessly with new additions, crafting a cohesive design that looks like it was made from scratch, writes Mrinmoy Dey
This 85 sq. ft. kitchen, designed by Thane-based architecture and interior design firm Architecture Design Combine, is part of a 2.5 BHK apartment spanning 915 sq. ft. at Hiranandani Estate in Thane. “As it was a new apartment, the kitchen came furnished with a quartz countertop and PU under-counter cabinetry. Our design task was to avoid all civil changes and harmonise with the builder’s pre-existing colour scheme and material choices,” shares Harshil Safi, Principal Architect, Architecture Design Combine.
Loretta Rego Safi, Principal Architect, Architecture Design Combine adds, “The focus was on achieving ample yet not overwhelming storage solutions whilst ensuring practical functionality. Additionally, the client desired a sense of spaciousness within the kitchen; an open and uncluttered feel to enhance the overall user experience.”
Accessorised with repurposed door knobs from an old cabinet, serving as hooks for aprons, and a decorative Turkish wall plate. Photo Courtesy: Architecture Design Combine; Photographer: Prashant Bhat
The Design and the Layout
According to the architect duo, the choice of design style for an Indian kitchen depends on the client’s individual preferences and the overall aesthetics of the home. “While aesthetics does play a crucial role, the primary focus should always be on the organisation of space with respect to the equipment, storage, and workflow to ensure that the functionality of the kitchen aligns with the user's needs.”
In this particular project, the design approach has been tailored to accommodate a blend of contemporary and traditional elements, reflecting the broader style of the apartment. “The lower cabinets feature PU shutters, contributing to a contemporary vibe, while the inclusion of wood finish shutters introduces warmth. The use of ceramic knobs and decorative elements such as plants and earthenware add to the traditional aesthetic,” elucidates Harshil.
The U-shaped layout of the kitchen provides ample circulation space, with a tall unit to the left of the refrigerator housing a built-in oven and a microwave. The space above the tall unit and the refrigerator was used to create storage for items which are not used regularly. The cabinetry above the sink discreetly conceals a water purifier and a traditional matka.
“Given the limited cooking requirements, excessive storage was deemed unnecessary. However, the client's interest in baking influenced the inclusion of a built-in oven with dedicated storage drawers for baking essentials. The absence of heavy cooking and frying activities led to the decision to forgo a chimney in the kitchen design.”
Harshil Safi
Principal Architect
Architecture Design Combine
“We had to stick to the U-shaped layout provided by the builder as no civil changes were to be made. Moreover, only a U-shaped layout would provide an efficient workspace in the kitchen given the proportions of the room and the locations of openings within the room,” reasons Harshil.
According to Loretta, a U-shaped layout offers several advantages for a kitchen of this size compared to alternatives like an L-shape or parallel kitchen. “It provides ample countertop space while naturally establishing the essential workflow triangle. The layout ensures sufficient circulation space and facilitates the creation of distinct work zones which can allow multiple people to work in the kitchen simultaneously, without getting in each other’s way.”
The U-shaped layout ensures sufficient circulation space and creates distinct work zones, allowing multiple people to work in the kitchen simultaneously, without getting in each other’s way. Photo Courtesy: Architecture Design Combine
Appliances and Materials
The designers have included a built-in oven while the microwave and the refrigerator are freestanding. “The decision to incorporate both free-standing and built-in appliances was influenced by careful consideration of current and future capacity requirements. The built-in oven was chosen with a capacity that meets both present and anticipated future needs. However, in the case of the microwave, we intentionally left room for potential capacity expansion in the future. Additionally, we kept the option open to switch to a built-in microwave if the need arises,” elaborates Loretta further adding that the space allocated for the refrigerator allows for the possibility of upgrading to a larger refrigerator in the future without requiring any modifications to the kitchen layout.
According to Harshil, the choice between built-in and freestanding appliances hinges on the flexibility needed for future adjustments. “Built-in appliances demand a commitment to specific equipment sizes during the design phase, making changes difficult once the unit is constructed. Therefore, they are recommended when equipment sizes are well-defined and unlikely to change. On the other hand, freestanding appliances provide the flexibility to adapt to evolving needs, allowing for adjustments without major modifications to the kitchen layout.”
The absence of heavy cooking and frying activities led to the decision to forgo a chimney in the kitchen design. Photo Courtesy: Architecture Design Combine; Photographer: Prashant Bhat
The floor and backsplash are tiled surfaces which are as provided by the builder. The remaining wall surfaces are painted with washable paint for easy cleaning of spills or splatters, if any. Washable paint was chosen as any additional tiling would have involved civil work. The choice of quartz for the countertop and tiles for the backsplash was determined by the builder and remained unchanged.
“Tiles are durable and provide a resilient surface that can withstand the rigours of daily kitchen activities. Additionally, they are easy to maintain, cost-effective, and offer the practical benefit of being easily replaceable if needed,” rationalises Harshil.
“The focus was on achieving ample yet not overwhelming storage solutions whilst ensuring practical functionality. Additionally, the client desired a sense of spaciousness within the kitchen; an open and uncluttered feel to enhance the overall user experience.”
Loretta Rego Safi
Principal Architect
Architecture Design Combine
Colour Palette, Storage and More
Talking about the colour palette, Loretta shares, “Although restricted by the existing colour palette, we wanted to bring in a sense of warmth into the space. The kitchen also had to resonate and connect with the rest of the apartment which was designed as an eclectic fusion of modern and traditional styles. Therefore, we opted for a warm wood finish laminate that seamlessly complemented the existing beige and greige colour palette.”
Understanding the food culture, habits, and tastes of the users is crucial in designing a kitchen, as it directly influences the frequency and extent of the kitchen use. These factors serve as primary determinants for organising space and making informed decisions regarding materials and finishes.
For this project, the client's lifestyle – a nuclear family with a preference for simple meals, influenced the design decisions. “Given the limited cooking requirements, excessive storage was deemed unnecessary. However, the client's interest in baking influenced the inclusion of a built-in oven with dedicated storage drawers for baking essentials. The absence of heavy cooking and frying activities led to the decision to forgo a chimney in the kitchen design,” informs Harshil.
The use of ceramic knobs and decorative elements such as plants and earthenware add to the traditional aesthetic. Photo Courtesy: Architecture Design Combine; Photographer: Prashant Bhat
Staying true to the minimalistic design approach of the rest of the home, the designers departed from conventional large storage units. “This allowed us to break the monotonous, continuous structure of over-counter storage, making room for open shelving. These open shelves served a dual purpose, not only providing an artistic canvas for décor and greenery but also allowing sufficient natural light to fall upon the work surfaces. Illumination was limited to ceiling lights due to the natural light that graced the kitchen,” shares Loretta.
The designer duo has also added thoughtful touches to enhance the kitchen’s functionality, including an IKEA kitchen rail and strategically placed decorative hooks for kitchen towels and oven mitts. “In order to creatively utilise the blank entrance wall of the kitchen, we accessorised it with repurposed door knobs from an old cabinet, serving as hooks for aprons, and a decorative Turkish wall plate.”
The design of the kitchen follows the principles of keeping things simple by simplifying details, re-purposing and reusing furniture and objects, using basic materials, ensuring ease of maintenance, emphasising clean lines to reduce visual clutter, and optimising the space to make a completely utilitarian kitchen.
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