Kitchen: Strong shapes create a minimalist form

Projects

Meghan Haynes, Associate Editor
March 1, 2004
Professional Remodeler

Structural changes in other areas of the home contribute to the kitchen area's look. A stairway in the foyer had glass block segmented on its wall. Jeff Lindgren created a 7-foot-tall entryway from the foyer to the kitchen to maximize the amount of light streaming into the kitchen area. In addition, he flipped a staircase leading from the kitchen to the lower level by 180 degrees. Rotating the staircase allows people to enter the lower level by the kitchen's far exterior wall rather than in the middle of the kitchen.

Streeter & Associates removed an exterior bearing wall that separated the kitchen from a porch. This created one open space with the 225-square-foot kitchen, a 114-square-foot eating area and, where the porch had been, a 205-square-foot family room.

Streeter shored the second-floor joists with laminated veneer lumber beams to create a flush ceiling plane throughout the three rooms. Large planes of glazing ù approximately 10 windows, with operable transoms above six of them ù on three sides of the three-room area admit plenty of natural light. A large picture window was added over the sink.

Streeter designer and project captain Jeff Lindgren cites the soffit punch-up in the family room and the lighting pendant over the breakfast table as examples of how contrasting shapes characterize the overall space.

Remodeler: Streeter & Associates, Wayzata, Minn. Project location: St. Louis Park, Minn. Age of home: originally built in 1940s Scope of work: kitchen remodel, opening up to a larger family room

Floor Plan