Kohi Alteration

The Brief
For their unaltered 1960s mid-century home, the clients sought a cost-conscious kitchen transformation that would improve functionality and openness through the removal of “a couple of walls.” The brief called for an economical solution that respected the character of the existing home while delivering a more generous, connected living environment.
Design Intent
A key driver of the project was investigating the implications of opening up the existing kitchen. Early assessment revealed that one of the walls earmarked for removal was load-bearing, requiring a small works building consent to be developed alongside the design and documentation package.
The design response drew directly from the home’s mid-century origins, embracing its inherent rectilinear language through the form and detailing of the joinery. Material choices were carefully calibrated to balance budget with aesthetic ambition: Melteca cabinetry paired with solid ash handles achieved a warm, authentic expression aligned with the era. Japanese tiles and a solid marble benchtop introduced texture, refinement and a sense of timeless quality, elevating the palette beyond its economical constraints.
Innovation
The project’s most significant move was the spatial reconfiguration of the kitchen, transforming it from an enclosed room into a more open and cohesive part of the home. Innovation emerged through careful material experimentation, particularly in the development of the solid timber drawer handles. Through a series of staining and finishing trials undertaken with a highly skilled joiner, the team was able to closely align the ash detailing with the Melteca cabinetry, achieving a highly resolved outcome from modest materials. The result exceeded the clients’ expectations while remaining faithful to both the budget and the brief.