Facebook Tweet Help Stories Kitchen Eco-friendly option Share Tweet Help Think green environmental sustainability was a key concern for the designer and owners of this remodeled kitchen Appliances and cabinets in the original kitchen were in a similar position. In the new kitchen however, the microwve has been removed from the overhead cabinets and a microwave drawer provided within the island An eco-friendly kitchen is also likely to be a cost-effective design solution, which makes it a winner on both counts.Architect Rebecca Schnier says the owners of this remodeled kitchen wanted a sustainable design that would respect the environment."Limiting the elements that needed to be changed was a key factor," she says. "After all, the greenest thing one can do is to simply change nothing. But that wasn't an option here. The existing kitchen was showing considerable wear and tear, with some delamination and water staining."The windows and French door were retained, however. And the new cabinetry is a similar size and shape to the existing cabinets, so plumbing and electrical services could be reused, which was also a cost saving. Some of the original cabinets were recycled for use in the garage. French doors open up this remodeled kitchen to the garden. The new cabinets feature bamboo, a sustainable material. Schnier says exposing the end grain of the wood meant less glue was used."It was also a way to express the naturalness of the material," she says. "On the bank of wall cabinets we added inset panels of Lumicor, another green material that incorporates sea grass."Schnier says the flush doors and drawers provide a sleek, contemporary look an effect enhanced by the removal of the original crown moldings.The new island replicates the shape of the original unit, but provides a cherry wood display shelf at the front. The front of the island is a focal point in the kitchen. "This part of the kitchen is a focal point," says Schnier. "It is the first thing you see as you enter from the family room on the lower level."Other green initiatives in the design include the use of low-VOC paints, granite countertops and terrazzo floor tiles that incorporate recycled aggregates, including glass.Schnier also specified green glass tiles that were manufactured locally, thus reducing the carbon footprint. Story by: Trendsideas 29 Aug, 2008 Kitchen Trendsideas Home kitchen bathroom commercial design Latest Post Desert romance 24 Mar, 2024 Connection and cohesion 24 Mar, 2024 Villa from the street – but that's only half the story 24 Mar, 2024 We know the Specialists Related Book More Books > US2407-05-01 US2407-05-01 Read More Similar Stories