Fifties finesse

The Case Study houses were experiments in residential design sponsored by Arts and Architecture magazine in the fifties and sixties. The US publication asked major architects of the day to create model homes for the post-war housing boom. Attractive and efficient, their styling has brought ongoing inspiration.

For this kitchen, the owners asked Natalie Dixon and Kon Panagopoulos of KP Architects to create a space that would celebrate the feel of the iconic Case Study houses. An emphasis on 50s design, natural materials and horizontal planes feature in the design, says Panagopoulos.

"In true 50s style, the kitchen is divided off from the social spaces, keeping work and play apart," says Panagopoulos. "This was achieved by the introduction of a long island cabinet faced in marble on the public side and suspended dark-veneer display cabinetry above.

"Read together, the dark materials present as a wall, with a long visual aperture between that gives a peek through to the kitchen proper. The raised counter on the island is used for serving and shields benchtop clutter from public view."

To offset the solid look of the dividing half wall, a deep toekick was introduced giving the elongated cabinetry a floating appearance. The stonework is framed in the same spotted gum wood as the flooring drawing the two together. The marble front also connects with the living and dining spaces as the fire surround opposite is in the same green patterned stone.

On the work side of the island, surfaces have a durable two-pack finish, with long drawers for optimum convenience and capacity.

"The perimeter cabinets are in the same dark-toned veneer as the cabinetry above the island this was appropriate because family and guests see through the slot to this area.

"This rich species is used again on the batten ceiling created by painting the surface black and spacing out the battens over this," says Panagopoulos. "This style of ceiling was also favoured in many of the Case Study residences."

Essentially the front of the galley kitchen has a 50s sensibility while its inner workings are more clean-lined and contemporary. A wood seating environment at the end of the kitchen provides a scenic, sunlit breakfast nook.

Story by: Charles Moxham