KITCHEN GUIDE / UNITS & ISLANDS
How you plan to move around the space, where and how you store things, and at what height, will all have an impact on your design. Storage is the key to success – tidying up won’t take as long if everything has its place, and you won’t have to do it as often.
originalbtc.com
Words from articles by Keith Kelliher, Marion McGarry, Paul McNally, Shauna Stewart, compiled by Astrid Madsen
1 1 0 / SE LF BU IL D / WIN TER 2021
Robert Logan Architects
Kitchen units and islands
Carcase types
The carcase is the structure onto which, doors, drawers and countertops are connected, and it is the part of the kitchen into which all items are stored. It is generally constructed from chipboard at the lower end up to solid timber on the higher end of the financial scale. You can also find designs available in metal and other materials although these are less popular. Within each material you will have further choices with some kitchens built with a carcase as thin as 10mm and others up to 12mm and even 15mm. The thicker the carcase, the stronger and more durable the kitchen will be on completion. The carcase can be finished in veneer, laminate or it can be directly painted if made from MDF or solid timber. The carcase will generally be produced into cabinets, generally 300mm, 450mm, 600mm, 750mm and 1000mm in width, although different manufacturers
may operate different standard sizes and it is important that you check. It is from this standard size of cabinets that most kitchen designs are developed. Any design that requires a purpose made unit will add to the final cost so try where possible to stick to standard sizes. A carcase can then be finished with a single door (either a solid or glazed door), two or multiple doors, it can have a number of drawers inserted into it or it can be left open to receive an appliance or other item. A single door will obviously cost less than two or more doors and a single door will also cost less than drawers, due mainly to the additional mechanisms required.
Doors and ironmongery
For doors, premium manmade composite materials are popular with either high gloss lacquered or heavy matt finishes. Flush
