Social function

When you have a tight city site, it's essential to maximize every square inch, and this applies to the home interior as well as the landscaping.

In designing this new house for such a site, architect Brad Lamoureux created a large, open living area that looks out to a spectacular mountain view in one direction, and a sunny paved terrace in the other.

"The house is like a modern jewel all glass and steel," the architect says. "The kitchen has a central position within the open floor plan, which makes it ideal for entertaining. It also plays a significant role in reinforcing the linearity of the architecture.

"For example, the island, which is approximately 12ft long, is positioned on the main north-south axis. So, too, are the perimeter cabinets, and the custom ventilation unit, which sits within a stainless steel framework that also supports the lighting."

Lamoureux says that after investigating the expensive price of imported ventilation modules, it was decided to custom design a unit.

"We wanted the fixture to make a statement, but it was important that it would not overpower the kitchen."

Other lights in the ceiling are recessed into long slots positioned on the same north-south axis. And in the living room, all the lights are recessed, leaving the flat planes of the ceiling uninterrupted.

To help define the various areas within the open space, Lamoureux introduced a number of dividing elements, including a freestanding bank of cabinets that separate the kitchen from the family room. The cabinetry accommodates appliances that the owners use less frequently, such as the ovens most of the cooking is carried out on the cooktop.

"The essential components are all within the galley space, so the owners can prepare food and socialize with guests on the other side of the island," the architect says.

The cabinets, which have recessed pulls, continue the sleek, uncluttered look. White lacquer is teamed with walnut wood veneer that helps to warm the space, visually.

Walnut also appears in other areas of the house, including the family room. To further link the inside with the outside, the kitchen cabinetry appears to extend through the glass, where it forms an outdoor grill on the terrace.

Story by: Colleen Hawkes

Photography by: Jason Henderson