The kitchen's design emphasising simplicity, natural materials and harmonious integration with the environment – engineered benchtops included.

Honouring the architecture

With monochromatic grey cabinetry at differing heights, simple forms and natural materials, this kitchen reflects on the home's original individualistic architecture

Honouring the architecture

With monochromatic grey cabinetry at differing heights, simple forms and natural materials, this kitchen reflects on the home's original individualistic architecture

DESKTOP

MOBILE

Designed by: Damian Hannah, German Kitchens

Photography by: Paul McCredie

My homeowners were renovating their Rossano Fan (influential Asian architect) architecturally designed home in Plimmerton and requested a kitchen design that would embrace the unique architecture which emphasised simplicity, natural materials and harmonious integration with the environment.

They also desired products that would be hard wearing and serviceable to suit their busy lifestyle and that could withstand the harsh sun that poured in from the high alternate windows that Fan had designed in the kitchen area.

The designer specified a monochromatic grey to work with the warm tones of the flooring and ceilings – recessed pulls also helped keep the look clean and minimalist.
The designer specified a monochromatic grey to work with the warm tones of the flooring and ceilings.

I specified a monochromatic grey to work with the warm tones of the Forte flooring and plywood ceilings and also to avoid bringing in another colour that would have competed with the colours reflected in the views and surrounding bush.

I selected Dekton for its wearability and UV resistance and specified this on the benchtops and splashbacks.

In addition, Hannah designed a unique door front in the same matching Dekton material with a bespoke aluminium recessed strip handle to reflect the original era of the home’s architecture.

I used the thin 12mm Dekton sheets on all of the benchtops, splashbacks and door fronts – and we doubled these up to 24mm for the benchtop over the seating area to span the distance without requiring additional support and did the same for the side panel to create extra strength.

Featuring pulls rather than handles, the cabinetry has a pared back presence.
Featuring pulls rather than handles, the cabinetry has a pared back presence.

The walls were specified in a simple white paint to allow the artwork and features of the architecture to star and allow the warm natural timbers on the ceilings and flooring to show off their textural warmth.

The white walls also accentuate the stunning views of Mana Island and beyond to the South Island.

Integrated appliances were selected where possible to further the kitchen’s streamlined and minimal appearance.

This approach also helped maximise the use of Dekton – to really emphasise its material presence.

The design makes the very most of the Dekton, hard-wearing surface – integrating the appliances allowed for further cabinetry surface space.
The design makes the very most of the Dekton, hard-wearing surface – integrating the appliances allowed for further cabinetry surface space.

Having cabinetry at different heights reflects the homes eclectic architecture and avoids looking out of place in the uniquely designed home.

In fact, the kitchen pays homage to Fan’s original vision and aesthetic, contributing to the home’s already striking architecture.

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Credit List

Designer
Damian Hannah, German Kitchens
Cabinetry
Allmilmo cabinetry; Dekton Kreta door fronts
Cabinetry hardware
Grass drawer runners and hinges
Benchtops and splashback
Dekton Kreta, by Wellington Benchtops
Kitchen sink
Blanco by Hafele
Taps
Hansgrohe, by Flow Plumbing
Oven, dishwasher
Neff
Cooktop, ventilation
Gaggenau
Refrigeration
Liebherr
Electric outlet
Point Pod Electrical Pop Up
Lighting
Supplied by owner
Flooring
Forte Flooring
Awards
Trends International Design Awards (TIDA) Kitchens – Winner

My homeowners were renovating their Rossano Fan (influential Asian architect) architecturally designed home in Plimmerton and requested a kitchen design that would embrace the unique architecture which emphasised simplicity, natural materials and harmonious integration with the environment.

They also desired products that would be hard wearing and serviceable to suit their busy lifestyle and that could withstand the harsh sun that poured in from the high alternate windows that Fan had designed in the kitchen area.

The designer specified a monochromatic grey to work with the warm tones of the flooring and ceilings – recessed pulls also helped keep the look clean and minimalist.
The designer specified a monochromatic grey to work with the warm tones of the flooring and ceilings.

I specified a monochromatic grey to work with the warm tones of the Forte flooring and plywood ceilings and also to avoid bringing in another colour that would have competed with the colours reflected in the views and surrounding bush.

I selected Dekton for its wearability and UV resistance and specified this on the benchtops and splashbacks.

In addition, Hannah designed a unique door front in the same matching Dekton material with a bespoke aluminium recessed strip handle to reflect the original era of the home’s architecture.

I used the thin 12mm Dekton sheets on all of the benchtops, splashbacks and door fronts – and we doubled these up to 24mm for the benchtop over the seating area to span the distance without requiring additional support and did the same for the side panel to create extra strength.

Featuring pulls rather than handles, the cabinetry has a pared back presence.
Featuring pulls rather than handles, the cabinetry has a pared back presence.

The walls were specified in a simple white paint to allow the artwork and features of the architecture to star and allow the warm natural timbers on the ceilings and flooring to show off their textural warmth.

The white walls also accentuate the stunning views of Mana Island and beyond to the South Island.

Integrated appliances were selected where possible to further the kitchen’s streamlined and minimal appearance.

This approach also helped maximise the use of Dekton – to really emphasise its material presence.

The design makes the very most of the Dekton, hard-wearing surface – integrating the appliances allowed for further cabinetry surface space.
The design makes the very most of the Dekton, hard-wearing surface – integrating the appliances allowed for further cabinetry surface space.

Having cabinetry at different heights reflects the homes eclectic architecture and avoids looking out of place in the uniquely designed home.

In fact, the kitchen pays homage to Fan’s original vision and aesthetic, contributing to the home’s already striking architecture.

Search similar articles


Credit List

Designer
Damian Hannah, German Kitchens
Cabinetry
Allmilmo cabinetry; Dekton Kreta door fronts
Cabinetry hardware
Grass drawer runners and hinges
Benchtops and splashback
Dekton Kreta, by Wellington Benchtops
Kitchen sink
Blanco by Hafele
Taps
Hansgrohe, by Flow Plumbing
Oven, dishwasher
Neff
Cooktop, ventilation
Gaggenau
Refrigeration
Liebherr
Electric outlet
Point Pod Electrical Pop Up
Lighting
Supplied by owner
Flooring
Forte Flooring
Awards
Trends International Design Awards (TIDA) Kitchens – Winner

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