Fisher & Paykel has observed how kitchen use has changed over time and how it has influenced kitchen layout. With kitchens now an integrated part of open-plan living areas, the traditional kitchen work triangle has evolved into zones with appliances, utensils and crockery distributed and grouped to suit how people live.
Traditional kitchen design was based on a triangular arrangement that provided easy access between the refrigerator, sink and cooker. It was an efficient layout when kitchens were contained in compartmentalised rooms and used by only one person.
But the triangle has become less practical as the kitchen has become an open-plan hub of the home. Kitchens now commonly accommodate more than one function and more than one person, and ultimately, not one size fits all.
Preparing food is no longer largely the responsibility of one individual as families and couples cook together. People might want to order in food or heat up leftovers or cook a gastronomic feast, and the kitchen may also serve as a gathering, entertaining or workspace.
Kitchens therefore need a flexible, practical, well-designed layout as they serve many purposes and are always on show. A kitchen configured in zones is more efficient than the traditional work triangle in today’s modern kitchen, which is why Fisher & Paykel’s family of appliances can be distributed throughout the kitchen to support these zones of use.
Zoning allocates areas of the kitchen to specific tasks. For example, food preparation, baking and storage fall into the cooking zone; the sink and dishwasher into the washing zone; a freezer might be in the storage zone; and an entertaining or breakfast area might have its own zone. Appliances, utensils, crockery and ingredients are distributed accordingly for convenience.
Fisher & Paykel’s Companion Product range makes the cooking zone easy, with a family of products that are designed to match, including a combination steam oven, combination microwave oven, compact oven, warming drawer and coffee maker. Endlessly configurable, the companion range can be aligned vertically or horizontally, as a gridded block, or distributed around the kitchen for absolute convenience.
Fisher & Paykel’s modular products, such as the CoolDrawer™, DishDrawer™ and Integrated Column Refrigerators, Freezers and Wine Cabinets, can be distributed into different zones around the kitchen and beyond, positioned where they are most conveniently accessed and used. The Columns range of modular vertical fridges and freezers can be mixed and matched, so a Column refrigerator can be in the cooking zone, and a Column freezer in the butler’s pantry. They come with independent compartments and variable temperature zones (fridge, pantry and chill) so that even storage can be zoned to provide optimal food care and convenience.
A CoolDrawer™ Multi-temperature Drawer is useful in the entertaining zone, which may be located closer to the dining table, living area or outdoors. A DishDrawer™ Dishwasher for glasses in the entertaining zone makes cleaning up easy, and the modular design means a DishDrawer™ can also be installed in the washing zone by the sink.
Fisher & Paykel is committed to helping people live a better, healthier and easier life. Fisher & Paykel’s range of modular, customisable appliances enables you to design a practical kitchen perfectly zoned for your lifestyle.
For more information, visit fisherpaykel.com
