For over 300 years, Gaggenau has exuded an excellence that has made them a stand-out, a brand that has undeniably stood the test of time.
For the first time, Gaggenau has gathered Australian projects worthy of the spotlight and these 12 projects do not disappoint. Each of the kitchens in this year’s Kitchen of the Year award are the centre of home life, imbued with rich materiality and innovation, alongside appliances to match.
From large family homes to penthouse apartments and more modest renovations, every project in this shortlist considers function, technology and beauty. A sentiment that jury member Sue Carr reiterates, “It doesn’t matter if it’s smaller, it doesn’t matter if it’s a developer. It’s all design.”
The shortlisted projects are:
Apartment Aria – Julia English Architects with McGregor Westlake Architects
This dwelling has been designed to best showcase the owner’s art collection. As such, the ‘dark core’ – an exquisite line of dark-coloured joinery – was created both as a backdrop for the paintings and an overarching organisational plan for the interior.
In order to maintain the continuous appeal of the joinery line from the lobby all the way to the master bedroom, it was crucial for the appliances to be carefully concealed by the veneer panels – or incorporated in a way that would be unobtrusive to the flow of the dark wall. And that is exactly why Gaggenau appliances were selected.
Blairgowrie Beach House – Studio Tom
Blairgowrie Beach House is a luxuriously minimalist contemporary residence designed to offer a relaxing respite and facilitate uninterrupted connection with the stunning ocean views. Highlighting the sweeping vistas, the interiors of the dwelling are tranquil, harmonious and restrained. The natural, pared-back colour and material palette creates a refined, yet warm and inviting ambience, while the concealed and integrated appliances compound the minimalist appeal.
Bondi Beach Apartment – Mathieson Architects
An alternative perspective on the traditional beach aesthetic, the Bondi Beach Apartment has been designed as a more international take on a summer retreat. The dwelling brings a sense of simplicity into the bustling beach-side setting with impressive scale, form, and materiality.
The open plan kitchen – alongside the living area – is the heart of the home. The solid timber finish, stainless steel and monolithic granite island bring to the forefront the incredible craftsmanship of the fabricators and contribute to a relaxed atmosphere within the dwelling.
Fawkner House – Rob Mills Architecture & Interiors
The kitchen is the epicentre of the residence. The space is grounded by an impressive, three-metre-long bench with the layout and positioning of the appliances designed to be functional, seamless and luxurious. The natural colour scheme elevates the interiors and highlights the visual appeal of Gaggenau’s suite of products, which are strategically integrated throughout the space.
Fitzroy Project – Robert Nichol and Sons
Fitzroy Project sees an iconic 1850s bluestone building reunited into a single residence, after it had been converted into two independent dwellings. The rich materiality of the kitchen grounds the space, while adding a complementary layer to the heritage of the building. Separated from the living and dining rooms to allow for each area to retain its unique character, the kitchen is purposefully energetic.
Habitus Townhomes – DKO Architecture
Designed for longevity and with a diverse group of residents in mind, the interiors offer a much sought-after level of flexibility, while the striking yet natural material palette evokes a feeling of opulence and tranquillity all at once. In the kitchens, that translates into monolithic stone slabs balanced on stunning timber joinery in a pragmatic and sculptural manner. In keeping with the high-end, elevated feel of the dwellings, Gaggenau appliances were selected for their sleek and streamlined appearances.
Hall 20 – Smart Design Studio
In dramatic contrast with the subtle interiors of the Hall 20 project, this high-end dark kitchen offers a striking, monolith-like quality that’s theatrical, yet unimposing. The angled underside of the island bench is a highly-resolved take on the building’s splaying corners, while the stone columns are a nod to the order of architecture. The kitchen’s carefully curated spatial arrangement is further highlighted by the choice of premium kitchen appliances.
Japanese Inspired East St Kilda Kitchen – Rogerseller
This large, modern kitchen replaced an area previously occupied by two rooms to create a multi-functional space where the family can gather to cook, socialise and do schoolwork. Designed for a family of avid cooks, the kitchen is as beautiful as it is practical. The kitchen island in black brushed flamed granite incorporates a flush-mounted Gaggenau induction cooktop to create a spacious and easily accessible cooking area.
Martha Cove – DKO Architecture
The epicurean kitchen of the Mt Martha waterfront residence fuses clean geometric lines and restrained materiality to create a family space that’s effortless yet exciting. Reflecting the palette of the surrounding landscape, the interiors are finished in cool grey limestone, which contrasts with the textured timber joinery. The beautifully striking restraint of the project is clearly visible in the considered selection of appliances.
Mathoura Road Toorak – Carr
A considered choice of finishes with rich textures and inherent finesse has been incorporated throughout the dwelling, with the kitchens particularly stimulating for the sense. The kitchen spaces blend functionality with a symphony of textures, making cooking and entertaining an extraordinary experience.
Penthouse II – Lawless & Meyerson
In spite of its harbour setting, this sophisticated residence couldn’t be further away from the traditional coastal aesthetic. This refined, elegant and relaxing three-bedroom oasis is set in a unique location that boasts direct access to the beach, with its coastal context reflected in the sand-coloured palette. With 180-degree harbour views, the kitchen makes the most out of the iconic setting. The monolith island bench grounds the space, while connecting the open plan living area
St Huberts – Robson Rak
The residence was reconfigured and restored, with a modern addition to the dwelling seamlessly blending the old with the new. The kitchen epitomises the response to the wider design brief for the project by flawlessly integrating natural veneer, stone and steel, which reflect the materiality of a period home, with Gaggenau’s elegantly unostentatious state-of-the-art appliances.
From the shortlisted projects, a winner and runner up will be announced for both the Southern Region (VIC/TAS/SA/WA/NT), and the Northern Region (NSW/ACT/QLD), as well as a Commendation and the grand prize – the ‘Best of the Best’ winner, which will all be announced in October.
In the meantime meet the jury and get insights into the judging process.