The TIDA Best Imported Kitchen, 2020, title was awarded to Poggenpohl’s Lara Farmilo for her kitchen in one of three new townhouses in Westmere, Auckland. The clients wanted the focus of this kitchen to be totally on the furniture, the lighting, the sculptural design and finish of the sink mixer, and on the ‘stone’ of the benchtops and splashback.

They wanted there to be no handles and no vertical appliances to be visible and to distract from the key focus items.

This was achieved by:

1.       Integrating the fridge/ freezer, the dishwasher and the rangehood.

2.       Using vertical negatives, colour matched to the cabinetry’s stone-grey exterior and interiors of the tall doors.

3.       Using push-to-open runners for all of the drawers and pull-outs.

4.       Using push-to-open mechanisms for the wall units

5.       Incorporating strategically-placed LED lighting

6.       Install the oven and steam oven in the scullery next to the kitchen itself

7.       Extending the cabinetry up to the full 2700mm stud height

In aiming for perfection, the Dekton Opera benchtop sections were grain-matched.  Likewise, the hob bench and splashback.

Above the hob, and housing the extractor, the use of timber veneer fronts gives the whole design a centre focal point in its contrast with the stone-grey fronts used everywhere. As is often the case, the physical and design challenge was to fit all of the client’s specifications within the space available.  This dwelling was one of three townhouses built on a standard-sized section and, as always, the dimensions of the kitchen room were tight.

This was overcome by the use of integrated appliances and by the addition of a small scullery off the kitchen to augment storage and to house the ovens. The scullery also helped to ensure the kitchen itself remains minimalist and uncluttered. 

Logistically the dwelling was a challenge as the stairways are narrow and winding.  All cabinetry and benchtops were delivered over the balcony.