Design Buy Build Issue 46 2020 | Page 64

KITCHENS GREAT LEIGHS CASE STUDY When the client came to en masse with a brief for an extensive refurbishment at a property in Great Leighs, Essex, there were only a few walls left from the original building. A liveable social kitchen was requested but the designers were asked to create a space that could easily be refinished at a later stage, if they so desired. The kitchen ceiling was a particular problem as there were bulk heads and columns which were needed to support the roof. These ruined the flow of the open plan area and broke up the view. After a first consultation with David Conlon, en masse’s head designer, a hand cut roof was proposed, creating a much stronger solution which supported itself. Updating the ceilings to form one uniform area, and then mirroring this throughout with the flooring also levelled, created a blank canvas and a vast space for the kitchen to be placed. Really wanting the kitchen to be the hub of the home the space was designed with entertaining in mind. A seated area for breakfast and informal dining was also requested. 64