History Of The Kitchenette By Barbara Brukalska
The kitchenette, a solution so often found in contemporary interiors, is a piece of furniture integrated into the wall, discreetly permeating into the living area of the apartment.
Reaching back to the beginnings of Modernism, we look at the historical change towards designing the kitchen alcove, initiated by the innovative idea of the leading Polish designer Barbara Brukalska (1899-1980). It was she, with her sensitivity focused on the needs of the new post-war society and a diploma from the Warsaw University of Technology, who brought the kitchenette to life.
Barbara Brukalska: Pioneer of the modern kitchen
Under the influence of the dynamic socio-economic changes of the 1930s, Barbara Brukalska looked at the kitchen as a laboratory of modern life. Previously enclosed as a separate room, the kitchen was transformed by her into an annex with an area of approximately 24 m² and dimensions of 2.20 x 1.37 m, being a part of the living room. This groundbreaking design, for those times, found its place in the model, three-room apartment of the Warsaw Housing Cooperative in Żoliborz.
“We adapt the arrangement of this laboratory to the very work that is performed in it. By arranging the furniture and equipment in the order in which the work is carried out, we were able to reduce the number of unnecessary movements. We also try to group all the accessories used for certain functions exactly where they are held.” – Barbara Brukalska
The kitchenette, adapted to new smaller spaces, maximised the functionality of the apartment. The well-thought-out arrangement of kitchen appliances made cooking both easier and quicker. The kitchen, equipped with a window for ventilation, cabinets and worktops, a sink and a stove, was adjacent to the dining table, creating a coherent space.
Kitchenette of our times
100 years after the implementation of Barbara Brukalska’s idea, the kitchenette still meets our contemporary socio-economic needs. Integrating the kitchen with the living room optimises the space of the apartment, promotes better communication and creates a social space. A kitchen integrated into the wall, equipped with smart devices and functional cabinets is a crucial part of the house adapted to our everyday life. It reflects how we spend our time, how we eat and what we prioritise.
The challenge for a modern kitchenette is, on the one hand, to make the cooking area inviting and on the other, to make its appearance blend in completely with the style of the whole apartment. Owing to properly selected fronts and kitchen elements, we can achieve the effect that will not overwhelm the rest of the room with its form, but will become a pleasant background, a piece of furniture that is a part of the living room equipment and amplifier of the household’s personality.
Plan a personal kitchenette with our fronts
