SB1: Initial Ideas

After doing a breath of research about the theme and idea of the brief. I've drafted several ideas which I think could be a possible answer/ solution to the problem that the brief is trying to tackle.

Keys:

+ = postive
- = negative

Idea #1 (Sliding Worktop) 

From my research I've found that particularly for one wall kitchen layouts there's a minimal area of space in which food preparation can be done as the work triangle is very closed off due to it being linear. To solve this, I thought adding a sliding worktop could work in order to open up the preparation space, having more room for food prep. The worktop will be stationary under the initial worktop on the kitchen and will be pulled out the in order to be used (groove underneath instead of a handle). I've also thought to maximise the usage of the additional worktop, the space underneath may also be used as sliding storage spaces, using as much space of the additional worktop as possible.

+ easy to move (sliding/pulling action) - won't be too hard for elders to pull out and children won't know it can be pulled as the groove will be more discreet than a handle, avoiding them hurting themselves) 
+additional storage can be split in various ways in order to be maximised
+additional storage can also have it's own sliding, pushing, pulling manoeuvres for easier access
+ having additional storage underneath reduces time to walk around the kitchen as appliance, ingredients and equipment can be stored there.
+reduces movement between cooker and sink (less hassle)
+ can be a great way to engage in cooking in a group as two/ or more people can work on both sides, engaging in activity and fun in the kitchen
+ perfect for compact kitchens as a way to maximise space use
+ don't have to be used all the time (not on the way)

- can make the kitchen seem smaller than it already is (might be too tight)
- cause kitchen traffic is too many people are in at one (but, it may not be a problem? as only cooker is closed off, so only the person cooking is there and others can still use the sink and access the fridge)
-safety (may hit children accidentally or elders)
- needs to have a 'brake' so it doesn't move about
-wheels brakes?brakes on the inside/ underneath portion ( i need to explore this area more)
- only focus on one wall kitchen

Idea #2 (Kitchen Island)

This idea takes on the idea of a 'kitchen hatch' or 'through room' in which families/ groups of people can have an engaging time in a multipurpose interconnected kitchen and dining area. This is reinforced by the having multipurpose kitchen island, not only serving as a dining table but also a compact storage system with various cabinets with a push to open systems for comfort, rotating storage for flexibility and ease of access and open ledge for chairs as well as wine/ingredients slots. The kitchen island will be in wide oblong shape for a slimmer and wider fit, rather than a rectangle/square shape. It will also have a smart feature which includes a controlled 'Lazy Susan' opening up from the centre of the island.

+ lots of storage spaces at the bottom, maximise capacity
+ ideal for through rooms, no separation from the kitchen so the space will also feel bigger
+ encourages more activity in the kitchen/dining area as it can become an area for studying, conversation, resting and playing when not in use for eating
+ less movement from kitchen to dining area as it all in one place
+ don't have to buy dining table
+ curved edges are safe for children
+ push access in easy, especially for elders
+ lazy susan encourages sharing (food and conversation) as everything will be centred towards it. 
+ fit for multigenerational families or big families in general 
+ can work for L shape kitchens or a as an extension of an open gallery kitchen

- will probably be very expensive
- may cause traffic in kitchen as both sides is open
- may not fit compact kitchens (maybe have a variation of sizes though?)
- is this too ambitious? theres so many elements is this even plausible in real life?
- elders will have problems reaching the bottom storage

Idea #3 (Corner Utensil Storage)

Idea 3 comes from part of my research which points out that kitchen corners are becoming wasted spaces as they are hard to reach and an awkward place in the kitchen especially in small compact kitchens. In order to utilise this space, instead of a straight 90 degrees it could be 45 degrees and slightly longer creating extra worktop space. The extra wide space on the bottom allows for a more diverse storage system. I thought of having a pyramid storage system accommodating to various utensils e.g. knife, spoon, forks, glasses, plates etc. It will be shallow for easier access (people don't have to awkward squat). It will also have top drawers with multiples storage systems. First top will be a slide opening system for easy access, as opposed to normal cabinet door. Second drawer will be at least a set of 2 or 3 push vertical drawers with hook systems for spatulas and other cooking utensils.
Using this corner as a utensil corner may also help the flow of preparation as it lessens movement as its centred so users can freely work in the 'L' workflow. Essentially I think it becomes a of the kitchen triangle (making is a kitchen square).

+ versatile storage system fit for compact kitchens and big kitchens 
+ specialised storage so makes everything systematic and uniformed in terms of where equipment is placed
+ easy opening systems/ manoeuvres accommodating to elders with motor problems (less squatting because of shallow cabinets)
+ more accessible in general as it's not an awkward 90 degrees (additional workspace) - connects the stove and sink freely 
+ can work not just a utensil storage space - maybe a snack storage space?, ingredients, dry food storage? as long as it's a specialised storage for a set of particular needs as it allows for a better kitchen system.

- 45 degree angle makes the space look smaller (especially for gallery and u shaped kitchens)
- more suitable for l shaped kitchens with open space. 
- not as innovative tbh
- can be pushed more
- dangerous for small children - pyramid storage will need to be opened quite widely 

Thoughts & Reflections:

I think because from the research that I did I felt that I had to accommodate to a wide spectrum of users therefore I came up with these ideas. At first I only wanted to focus on a specific type of users e.g. families or elderly, however I thought that that's not completely answering the brief as it asks me to create a solution which engages people together and encourages them to "eat food, entertain, engage in hobbies or work, and enjoy being together." Having this in mind, I tried to come up with ideas that tries to aim to accommodate to all.

Furthermore, I honestly had a hard time coming up with ideas, as I felt like everything has been done already and there's already such as wide spectrum of kitchen designs that I feel like it will really hard for me to come up with something original, and even if I did I feel like it won't be good enough; also there's only so much you can do with a kitchen! Therefore, I thought creating solutions that best accommodates the layouts and area of the kitchen will be the best way, and creating alternative designs which will create a stronger reinforcement of engagement will be best.


The next steps for me now is to decide which idea is the best and which ones has the best possible benefits and advantages which I can take further in order to create developments and refinements on.