Designed by: Kurt Crisp, buck&simple
Photography by: Simon Whitbread
The setting
The setting is a thoughtful reinvention of a single-storey brick bungalow, designed to enhance the family’s connection to their home and the surrounding environment.
At the heart of the renovation is the kitchen – a true social hub that anchors daily life.
Positioned centrally, it seamlessly integrates with the dining area, which features a cosy reading nook and library, and a music space that backs onto the wood fireplace.
This arrangement ensures that the kitchen remains a dynamic, multifunctional space where cooking, conversation and creativity converge.
Connected to the outdoors
The owners have a strong connection to the outdoors, keeping bees and growing fruit-bearing plants, with plans for a vegetable garden in the future.
Their relationship with the weather informs their daily activities – and the kitchen plays a key role in this rhythm.
Oversized glass doors open onto the north-facing rear yard, allowing visibility of the sky and ensuring a strong visual and functional link to the outdoor smoker – an element that runs throughout the weekend and needs easy monitoring from the kitchen and living areas.
The doors also allow solar heat to warm the thermal mass of the concrete floor, passively regulating indoor comfort.
Coffee and wine
Functionality and ritual shaped the kitchen’s layout, with a deliberate prioritisation of coffee and wine – essentials that set the tone for the day and evening.
Hardworking centrepiece
The island, designed as an oversized butcher’s block, is a hardworking centrepiece.
Its robust concrete benchtop and matte black tile base create a monolithic yet floating effect, defining it as an independent workbench that extends beyond food preparation to accommodate all aspects of family life.
The material palette reflects a deep respect for the home’s history while embracing modern functionality.
Nostalgic yet contemporary
The rangehood’s colour playfully references the owners’ childhood kitchen, adding a nostalgic yet contemporary touch.
Thoughtful details like this ensure that the kitchen is not just a cooking space but a reflection of the owners’ personal story, seamlessly woven into the broader architectural vision.
Find more design ideas and inspiration at trendsideas.com
Credit List
Architect / kitchen designerKurt Crisp, buck&simple | CabinetrySpotted Gum Veneer, by Briggs Veneers; 2pac polyurethane in Dulux Mustard Sauce and Black Spur |
BenchtopsKitchen island – Concrete to match flooring; by Matsumoto Concrete Art; perimeter benchtop – Caesarstone Frozen Terra | SplashbackCaesarstone Frozen Terra |
Kitchen sinkBolero sink, by Franke | TapsPegasi M sink mixer curve pullout, Raw brushed brass, by Faucet Strommen |
OvenPyrolytic Oven, in Black, by Fisher & Paykel | Cooktop5 Zone Induction Cooktop with SmartZone, by Fisher & Paykel |
LightingKingston KA76 - Kingston Adjustable, brass finish, from TOVO Lighting | FlooringBurnished Concrete, by contractor |
Refrigeration538L Recessed Handle Quad Door Fridge with Ice & Water Dispenser, in Matte Black Glass, by Fisher & Paykel | VentilationMilano+ Undermount Rangehood with External Wall Motor, by Falmec |
Island tilingNagoya Mosaic with concave border, by Academy Tiles | DishwasherFisher & Paykel |
AwardsTrend International Design Awards (TIDA) Kitchens – Highly Commended |
The setting
The setting is a thoughtful reinvention of a single-storey brick bungalow, designed to enhance the family’s connection to their home and the surrounding environment.
At the heart of the renovation is the kitchen – a true social hub that anchors daily life.
Positioned centrally, it seamlessly integrates with the dining area, which features a cosy reading nook and library, and a music space that backs onto the wood fireplace.
This arrangement ensures that the kitchen remains a dynamic, multifunctional space where cooking, conversation and creativity converge.
Connected to the outdoors
The owners have a strong connection to the outdoors, keeping bees and growing fruit-bearing plants, with plans for a vegetable garden in the future.
Their relationship with the weather informs their daily activities – and the kitchen plays a key role in this rhythm.
Oversized glass doors open onto the north-facing rear yard, allowing visibility of the sky and ensuring a strong visual and functional link to the outdoor smoker – an element that runs throughout the weekend and needs easy monitoring from the kitchen and living areas.
The doors also allow solar heat to warm the thermal mass of the concrete floor, passively regulating indoor comfort.
Coffee and wine
Functionality and ritual shaped the kitchen’s layout, with a deliberate prioritisation of coffee and wine – essentials that set the tone for the day and evening.
Hardworking centrepiece
The island, designed as an oversized butcher’s block, is a hardworking centrepiece.
Its robust concrete benchtop and matte black tile base create a monolithic yet floating effect, defining it as an independent workbench that extends beyond food preparation to accommodate all aspects of family life.
The material palette reflects a deep respect for the home’s history while embracing modern functionality.
Nostalgic yet contemporary
The rangehood’s colour playfully references the owners’ childhood kitchen, adding a nostalgic yet contemporary touch.
Thoughtful details like this ensure that the kitchen is not just a cooking space but a reflection of the owners’ personal story, seamlessly woven into the broader architectural vision.
Find more design ideas and inspiration at trendsideas.com
[clean_tags]
Credit List
Architect / kitchen designerKurt Crisp, buck&simple | CabinetrySpotted Gum Veneer, by Briggs Veneers; 2pac polyurethane in Dulux Mustard Sauce and Black Spur |
BenchtopsKitchen island – Concrete to match flooring; by Matsumoto Concrete Art; perimeter benchtop – Caesarstone Frozen Terra | SplashbackCaesarstone Frozen Terra |
Kitchen sinkBolero sink, by Franke | TapsPegasi M sink mixer curve pullout, Raw brushed brass, by Faucet Strommen |
OvenPyrolytic Oven, in Black, by Fisher & Paykel | Cooktop5 Zone Induction Cooktop with SmartZone, by Fisher & Paykel |
LightingKingston KA76 - Kingston Adjustable, brass finish, from TOVO Lighting | FlooringBurnished Concrete, by contractor |
Refrigeration538L Recessed Handle Quad Door Fridge with Ice & Water Dispenser, in Matte Black Glass, by Fisher & Paykel | VentilationMilano+ Undermount Rangehood with External Wall Motor, by Falmec |
Island tilingNagoya Mosaic with concave border, by Academy Tiles | DishwasherFisher & Paykel |
AwardsTrend International Design Awards (TIDA) Kitchens – Highly Commended |
Related Articles
Archipelago
Why have just the one kitchen island when another ancillary island nearby splits the workload and keeps guests out from under the chef's feet
Desert romance
Sandy tones, soft curves and repeated interior design elements add to the character of this contemporary, centrally set family kitchen
Class Act
Feast your eyes on this exquisite contemporary kitchen that encompasses some of the best storage and kitchen technology options available.
Portfolios
View Industry Specialists
Portfolios
View Industry Specialists
Askö
Furniture designed for life. Ethically made dining and living furniture and accessories by international and New Zealand designers where refined elegance meets sleek, contemporary form. Explore our extensive range of designer furniture via our Christchurch showroom or browse online.
Plumbing World
Plumbing World is New Zealand’s most prominent 100% Kiwi-owned national plumbing merchant, operating over 50 branches from Kerikeri to Invercargill. Plumbing World offers a wide range of bathroom, kitchen, laundry, heating, and hot water products, catering to trade professionals and homeowners.
Landmark Homes
Founding directors Paul and Debbie Clarke established Landmark Homes in 1977. Their vision was to offer “something more exciting” than the average home: a home that made creative use of space but was also beautiful to live in.
Poggenpohl
Poggenpohl is a premium German kitchen brand known for its innovation, timeless design, and precision craftsmanship, offering bespoke kitchen solutions that blend luxury with functionality.
Mastercraft Kitchens
Founded in 1985, we are the largest group of independently owned and operated kitchen businesses in New Zealand, operating under a national banner. Our licensees have been carefully selected and are experts in their craft. We share an absolute passion for the design, manufacture and installation of high quality, well designed kitchens and other household cabinetry provided with personalised, friendly local service. Think national - be local.
Kitchen Studio
At Kitchen Studio we are very proud of the fact that we are been voted the most trusted kitchen brand in New Zealand for the ninth year running, and there are good reasons why more Kiwis trust us to transform their kitchen than anyone else.
Box™
Box isn’t like other New Zealand architecture firms; we’re a building design company responsible for every part of the process, from design to construction. If you’re looking for a team of designers or builders in Auckland, we can help.
The best architects know what it means to design both beautifully and practically, ensuring the best builders can, in turn, build more efficiently and collaboratively with you and the designer or architect.
Our consistent and attentive involvement of each team throughout the entire design-build process includes our in-house cost estimation team, who value-engineer projects to ensure the highest quality and value, while respecting your vision as our client.