This south Minneapolis home had a typical, 1914 craftsman era kitchen, dark and closed off from the rest of the living and dining areas. The owners were simply starting “small” in the scope of the project, an addition of a ventilation hood for their cooking needs. As the design progressed it was evident that additional counter space, cabinetry and electrical were needed to update the kitchen into the 21st century. With those desires in mind, the project expanded beyond the initial scope, but the overall floor space and footprint of the kitchen needed to remain the same. The owners required not to expand beyond the original foundation, due to cost and environmental reasons. The architect’s solution was to make use of the small space adjacent to the kitchen in what was the original air-lock. They incorporated that space into the remodeled kitchen, opening up the door frame, removing an existing built in which were the only, original cabinets.
What resulted was a modern entry and mudroom, with small space design for a pantry, additional storage with custom cabinetry, a bench with shoe storage, a command center, coat hooks and new wall and floor insulation. Also added were a picture window, full-view door and sidelight, and finally, a compact radiator to heat the once cold space.
Then the wall between the original kitchen and dining room came down, to reveal enough space to add a kitchen island that would afford the family of three an eat-in kitchen experience , additional countertop space for food prep and a large, chef’s sink with recycling, compost and trash beneath.