Sculptural presence

In an apartment that celebrates good taste and fine art, it makes sense that the open kitchen has a sculptural aesthetic.

This project was completed by kitchen designers Jed MacKenzie and William Landeros, with input from designer Noelle Hernandez. Owner Judith King provided interior design for the greater space.

The kitchen forms part of a two-level unit on the top floor of a condo tower with 360° views that take in the city and nearby mountains. The open-plan design ensures kitchen occupants and those at the counter need never turn their back on the scenery.

Naturally, this works both ways and the kitchen is also on show from surrounding living areas, says Jed MacKenzie.

"In response, we designed the kitchen with a demure yet sculptural aesthetic that emphasizes clean, horizontal lines.

"This is seen in the orientation of the alder veneer, the appliance garages, the refrigerator grille and the elongated drawers and cabinet handles. These lateral lines are echoed in the spiral staircase's wenge treads and the wooden window blinds."

William Landeros says the kitchen has a high standard of finish and detailing.

"The perimeter cabinet tops are faced in aluminium, for example on view to those descending the spiral stairs," says Landeros. "Countertops are finished in a rare silver quartzite."

The kitchen also has an abstracted feel with the appliance wall achieving all the balance of a Mondrian composition.

"This sense of considered proportion is also seen in the dark, anodized cabinet panels offset by the warmth of the alder wood on the taller rear cabinetry," says MacKenzie. "The darker material grounds the kitchen while the wood veneer brings warmth to the space another request of the owner.

"Stainless steel toe kicks bring a light, floating feel to the entire rectangular space and the form of the kitchen is reflected and emphasized in the soffit overhead."

Beyond creating an artistic presence, the design was shaped by practical needs. For instance, Noelle Hernandez helped orient the layout which had to respond to constraints of existing plumbing locations running down the building's 17 floors.

Owner Judith King says that from an entertainer's perspective the kitchen is a short step away from the dining area on one side and a breakfast table on the other.

"From an entertainer's point of view, the kitchen seamlessly weaves function and form together achieving a practical, yet serene sensibility," says King.

Story by: Trendsideas