When to go for an Island (Kitchen)?

The “Heart” of any home is the kitchen and like they say, way to anyone’s heart is through his stomach!! When you build your home, the kitchen is all about the home-maker’s dream space and the most discussed space between the designer and the client!

Today we will try and understand if a fixed Island feature is feasible in your kitchen or not? Basically, an island is a stand-alone piece of counter space where we could setup a hob or a kitchen sink or just a clear counter for cutting or having breakfast. There is no fixed height, width, length or shape for an Island. It is purely based on the function and size of your kitchen.

First and foremost, the island once installed must allow free passage around it for the people working in the kitchen and clearance for all kitchen appliances to be installed.

That is, a minimum of 90cm will allow clear passage around the island, and if one opens the refrigerator or dish washer it should not block the passage of the people using the kitchen. There should be no hindrance to the traffic flow in the kitchen or through the kitchen. The presence of an island is realistic only when the island increases the functionality in a kitchen.

An Island kitchen with Hob and Island Chimney designed by Menon Architects, Cochin

If the hob is placed on the Island as seen in the picture above, we go in for an Island Chimney which is available is many models to add charm and function to the Island Kitchen.

An Island kitchen with a plain counter built by Vijaykumar Associates Architects, Bangalore

Sometimes the counter allows a small space for preparation also (for example to roll out the “puris”, ”chappatis” before frying them). Other than this, a little part of the counter space may be devoted as a dinette for a single person grabbing a quick bite. Of course, keeping in mind the functions of the island, the size will be determined. Most importantly, the Island should not be a reason for the kitchen to become cramped for space.

On the other hand if the Island houses the sink, we can add a chopping and cutting space beside the sink. However, we should keep in mind, the plumbing lines will be going below the floor of your kitchen .In case of any maintenance work, the floor tiles will be disturbed. However, proper plumbing and water proof treatments should avoid any such hitch. A double bowl sink with a drain tray, or a single bowl sink with double drain trays would be a nice option too on the island.

The third option for an island would be almost similar to having a fixed-table in your kitchen. It could serve as a study table for your kid doing his/her homework under your supervision. It could be a place where you have your fruit-bowl or where you keep your goodies for easy pick! It could even serve as a dinette for the family or where you get your ingredients ready for cooking. The space below the counter can be judiciously used for storage cabinets or even a small kitchen library.

Though the layout of your kitchen will impose some restraints on your island, an interestingly shaped Island with flavors of functionality could be the focal point in your kitchen !! A feature of fun and individuality!

Windows - Not the one from Microsoft

Mr Gates (Bill), as intelligent and enterprising as he might be, fooled the world for a few decades by selling something that was eventually made free by people who believe in a free world - Windows.
Here we are going to talk about the other windows, not the one that always hangs, the one we can touch - Yes the windows in our houses !

Types of Windows

1. "Casement Windows"




The most common type of window seen in Indian homes, casement-windows are hinged at sides and open outwards like a door.

2. "Awning Windows"

Awning windows are hinged on top and open outward, enabling ventilation without letting in rain or falling leaves. Awning windows can be used in places where there is less space for a full size window - like bathrooms, basements etc. They can also be paired above a fixed window to let-in air. 

3. Sliding Windows

Sliding windows open sideways with the sash or window pane sliding left or right. Since they open and close without protruding, horizontal sliders are an excellent choice for rooms facing walkways, porches or patios. In a single slider, one sash slides to open. In a double slider, both sashes open. Double sliders are great for providing air circulation, particularly if there is only one window in the room. 

4. Fixed Windows or Picture Windows 

A fixed window from Fenesta

Fixed windows are windows that do not open. They are usually installed in difficult to reach places to let in light. Fixed windows create a portrait-like space on walls - hence the name "Picture Window". Like at things that compromise on "function", to enhance "form", fixed windows greatly enhance the aesthetics of a house due to the absence of the frames or sashes. Another clever version of the fixed window is a fixed corner window (glass on glass) made from toughened glass. They are mostly seen in Modern or Contemporary houses.

5. Bay Window, Bow Window and Box Windows

A Bay Window is a combination of three windows of varying widths that protrudes outside from a wall. They emerged during the Victorian era and are also called Victorian windows.
A Bow Window is very similar to a bay window, except it's composed of three or more windows joined at equal angles to form a more even curve.
A Box Window is a bay window with its 3 arms at right angles. Box windows have Modern or Contemporary written all over it and is an integral part of these architectural styles.

Kerala Architecture has been Bangalore'd

Ayurvedagram Resort Whitefield, an Ayurvedic treatment centre and resort in Bangalore is a glowing tribute to the traditional Architecture and cultural heritage of Kerala.
A trip to Ayurvedagram can take us back to God's own Country, the way it was a century ago. The resort has Nalukettus (houses with four blocks built around a courtyard), Kovilakams (palaces) Manas & Illams - the cornerstones of what we know today as 'Kerala Architecture'.
The architect couple Ravi and Minu (of Ravi and Minu Architects, Bangalore) who implemented this awe-inspiring project, translocated these heritage homes of Kerala as it is to Bangalore and recreated the old world grandeur to the minutest detail. The resort also has all the high tech gadgetry and creature comforts for the discerning customer giving them the Best of both Centuries !

The Reception

Aranmula Palace -  The Grand Reception 

Built by the Aranmula Royal family in the mid 18th century, it was the mother palace of the Aranmula Royal House, which migrated from Madurai to Kerala.
The gabled roof, corridors, the Nalukettu style and predominantly wooden character represent the stylistic perfection of medieval Southern Kerala Architecture. The building has a closed inner courtyard with beautiful wooden pillars and exquisite carvings. The large foyer has a carved wooden ceiling and radiating rafters in the roof structure.
Today this magnificent building is used as the Reception and houses the doctor’s consultation rooms.

Aluva Pushpakam

Traditional Kerala houses where Nambiars lived were called Pushpakam and Aluva Pushpakam was originally located on the banks of the river Periyar at Aluva, Central Kerala. This is a typical Nalukettu which belonged to traditional Nambiars with exquisite carvings on its wooden walls and ceilings. The inner Atrium (inner Courtyard) ensured continuous flow of fresh air even during hot humid weather, typical of Kerala.

Aluva Pushpakam

Bedroom of Aluva Pushpakam

The most impressive feature of this bedroom is minute detailing to recreate old world charm, all the way to the black round electric switches, the wooden switch board, the terracotta tiles, the antique rosewood cots and the not too loud curtains that blend perfectly with the original wooden windows from the traditional home. Impeccable !

Muhamma Mana

Muhamma Mana is what we call our Harmony Suite. This 75 year old cottage is made of teak and rosewood and sits in its own garden with a walled compound. It was built for a well-known musician by a local king as a reward and consists of 2 rooms and 2 bathrooms.

Ambara Mana

Ambara Mana is a twin cottage similar to Muhamma Mana but without a compound wall. It is dated over 73 years old and comprises of 2 Heritage rooms; each of the rooms has an enclosed bathroom with a private garden. This is a rectangular structure with rooms that open into a common sit out at the entrance.

The bedroom of Ambara Mana

The bathroom of Ambara Mana

A perfect blend of antique and modern. The door, the mirror, wooden panel and terracotta tiles adds to the antique look. This is how antique one can get in a bathroom, since back then there were no plumbing or sanitary-ware.  The ceramic wall tiles and sanitary-ware maintains the creature comforts of our modern lifestyle 

The Poet’s Cottage

Nallamuttam Tharavadu is an independent cottage made of teak and rosewood, was once owned by a renowned 19th century poet in Kerala, Sri Nallamuttam Padmanabha Pillai.  An L-shaped house, along one arm of the house is a foyer supported on highly ornate pillars and carved ceiling.

The sit-out leads to the richly carved entrance through which is a small sitting room. This used to be the poet’s library.

The bedroom has traditional vaulting roof and walls made of pure wood

The Restaurant

The restaurant with clay tile roof and antique furniture

The Yoga Room

Kuroor Mana is an architectural splendor and is used as the cultural and recreation centre with its magnificent hall. This traditional hall is adored with massive pillars with beautiful carvings.

An Open Bathroom

The Lounge

To me, this traditional lounge with unique rosewood sofas, rocking chairs and a swing was the icing on the cake.

The architect and the promoters of AyurvedaGram has achieved nothing short of an architectural miracle by transplanting, restoring and preserving these centuries old heritage homes of Kerala and passing it on to the current and possibly the next generations to come!

What is the difference between Modern and Contemporary Architectural Styles?

Modern Architectural Style

The Modern architectural style emerged in the early 1900s as an architectural style that refused to acknowledge itself as a style. The modernism movement which emerged in all forms of live including art and music did wonders in the world of architecture by removing ornamentation from structures and put the focus on space, proportion and smooth surfaces 

ie Form follows Function. 

Some of the salient features of a modern house include 

1. Construction of the house on concrete pillars or columns 

2. Horizontal windows 

3. Free Plan 

4. Free Facades (front views) 

5. Flat Roofs
Its common for architects to paint their modern houses in white. The highlight of this style was of Getting More out of Less with box type structures with extensive use of glass, steel and plywood. One could say it is a non-ornamental or minimalistic style

CONTEMPORARY
The literal meaning of the word contemporary is ‘Current’ or belonging to the current era. Though not strictly an architectural style, the trends in the industry from 1975 till date can be loosely categorized under the Contemporary Style. Contemporary style and modern are sometimes used interchangeably due to the resemblances and the fact that Contemporary style evolved from Modern style. Historically, there was era called post-modernism once modern style went out of vogue. It is said that architects just got bored with designing box shaped white houses (modern) and wanted to bring back elements of ornamentation back to the world, hence giving birth to Post-Modernism.
Eventually through Post-modernism the modern influence again came back in the scheme of things, this time striking a balance between form and function giving birth to what we know today as Contemporary Style.
The design patterns that can be seen in the contemporary style are loosely bound by any set of rules unlike the older architectural styles. If there is one idea that could be used to define contemporary design it would be Irregular boxes. Irregular boxes in the facade, wide open interiors, large windows, French doors and metal structures that complement concrete structures by introducing irregularity are some of the features of contemporary design. Usage of natural materials like natural stone cladding, steel, glass, artificial wood.
If we were to classify all the styles from the past 1000 years, then Modern and Contemporary could be put under one category.

let's look at some actual house designs

Modern House from Architects Kunal and Deepali Associates, Ahmedabad

 This beautiful and simple white house from Architects Kunal and Deepali Associates, Ahmedabad has almost no ornamentation. Every structure and component has a purpose and we can see only straight lines in facade.
I would call it a simple Modern House.

Contemporary House from Vijaykumar Associates Architects, Bangalore

This stunning design from Architect Vijaykumar Associates has a modern undertone, but I would call it a Contemporary due to the embellishments like a pergola, wall claddings, metal facade claddings, contrasting paint and a conscious effort to bring irregularity to make look more elegant

Kitchens Layouts

We see this everyday, but few of us have bothered to notice that kitchens have 3 'Work Centres' vis-a-vis The Stove, The Sink and The Fridge. These three points and the imaginary lines between them, make up what architects call 'The Work Triangle'.

The shape of the kitchen work triangle is used to determine efficient kitchen layouts. 

Kitchen Layouts :

1. Single Walled Kitchen

The Single-Wall or Straight Kitchen:

The Single-Wall or Straight Kitchen:

This is an ideal solution for studio apartments or small homes being used as guest houses or where cooking takes a back seat! In bigger homes, it is a new style statement in kitchens! The idea is to have the fridge, the stove and the sink  all against one single wall. This gives a clean and clutter free feel. 

The entire counter along with the fridge could be set in a depth of 75cm from the wall, and could be cleverly concealed behind a sliding door. When in use, you could slide the door open and use the sink and stove. 

2. U Shaped Kitchen

The U shaped kitchen theoretically works to be the most efficient of all kitchen designs where all the 3 work centers, are on one of the 3 arms on the U, essentially with the sink in the centre. The kitchen should be wide enough to allow a work counter of width 60cms to run on all 3 sides of the room, thus ensuring there is free flow of traffic for the cooks using the space. 

3. L Shaped Kitchen
The counter is in the shape of the alphabet "L" and is the most popular of all! Here, we place the fridge at the end of the either legs' of the L counter, and the other two work centers somewhere along the counter space. This works well for narrow kitchens, which does not support a counter space on the third side of the room. And it also looks good in an open kitchen- looking into a family dining space.

4. Galley KitchenAs the name suggests, this layout is having work centers across an alley.
It is popular in  restaurants and other commercial kitchens or residences with rectangular kitchen spaces. A long, narrow space of minimum/comfortable of  90/120 cm between the two counter space is essential. You could have a pantry at one end of the galley while the other end could open into the family dining.

5. Island Kitchen

The kitchen has to be really large to allow a decent size island of 90x120 cm in the middle of the kitchen space and a minimum passage of width 75-80cm running around it , beyond which is the work counter. The island can have either the stove or the sink on it. It is possible to have a non-functional island which has no work center but can be used as a storage unit or a dinette or even a chopping and reading table! Extended versions of this layout could be a L shaped kitchen with an Island or a U shaped kitchen  with an Island!! An island is quite a glamorous feature,  but if added to a space which is not sufficiently large will make the kitchen very clumsy and cramped.