Modest footprint, maximised impact

A crafted wood cabinetry look, pared back design and restricted overall material palette give this modest-sized kitchen a strong presence

A wooden table, wooden bench seating and a wood ceiling all connect with this warm, modest-sized kitchen's timber cabinetry.

A Franke undermount sink in Fragonite Onyx was

Given the kitchen's intentionally limited colour choices, even

Ventilation grills are built into the upper cabinetry

The monolithic-slab island is detailed to enhance the

Designed by McMahon and Nerlich

From the architects:

This compact kitchen is an exploration in designing for small-footprint living, suitable for the trajectory of our suburbs in exploring more sustainable higher densities.

Extensive studies were undertaken to design the best location for the kitchen and stair elements.

With such a small footprint, this aspect of the design was critical to its success, and every millimetre is accounted for.

The design utilises the kitchen as the heroine, and the cabinetry itself is used to conceal the balanced elements of stair to the left and powder room to the right.

The materiality of the kitchen was explored through a seductive and contemporary colour / material palette of black porcelain and timber.

Reducing the material palette to these two bold elements creates an impact that belies the room’s modest size.

A monolithic-slab island is detailed to enhance the thin porcelain edge.

This contrasts with the timber veneer cabinetry behind, with its timber feature grills. The cabinetry is bookended with tall integrated elements incorporated on each side of a recessed black porcelain splashback with flush back power points.

The timber ceiling picks up on the cabinetry materiality, amplifying the textural effect.

The rear of the island bench holds integrated dishwasher and discreetly detailed storage.