The long term partnership between Rigby and Rigby and Bulthaup has delivered an innovative kitchen concept for the Kensington Mansions project, creating a balanced living space built around the lifestyle of the client family.

Understanding how important cooking, family time and entertaining are to the client, Bulthaup specialists Kitchen Architecture and Rigby and Rigby have collaborated on a design which incorporates two, free-standing islands – one for the hob and one for the sink – that look like pieces of furniture rather than functional kitchen units, instead of laying the kitchen out in a traditional C shape, wrapped around the walls. This bold design puts the chef of the house right in the centre of the room, creating an enjoyable, light-filled living space which delivers for the needs of the whole family.

Kitchen Architecture Director, Jason Shephard, said: “Modern open-plan living means that dining, soft seating and social space is co-located with food preparation and so it’s essential that the kitchen becomes part of that overall living space. The design needs to be sympathetic and the kitchen should be beautiful, with each part like a standalone piece of furniture – yet still functional. The inspiration was provided in collaboration with the Architectural Team at Rigby & Rigby and I am looking forward to seeing it realised in the space.”

Kitchen Architecture is one of the most experienced Bulthaup teams in the world and it is now the prestigious kitchen brand’s largest independent dealer anywhere in the world. They have built a successful and exclusive business personalising the Bulthaup product to create beautiful, high-end living spaces to the unique needs of a diverse range of super-prime clients. The firm has collaborated with Rigby and Rigby for almost eight years, including on some of their most high profile and prestigious projects, such as their exclusive Grosvenor Square apartment in Mayfair, London.

Adds Jason: “In my view, there should never be a trade-off between looks and functionality and consistently achieving that balance lies at the heart of both our vision and that of Rigby and Rigby. Knowing how to design sociable, open-plan living spaces that achieve the right balance between design and functionality and enhance lifestyle of each client, sets us apart from the competition. It’s a pleasure to work with the Rigby and Rigby team!

“As designers it’s our responsibility to ensure that proposals are the best proposition for the client and for the space, we like to challenge pre-conceived ideas about what makes a good kitchen, suggesting creative solutions, alternative palettes of finishes and a simplified layout, but which still give our private clients the ergonomics and essential function and the storage space they need…in the Kensington Mansions project the combination of old and new is a beautiful juxtaposition.

“In Bulthaup, we have a brilliant furniture brand behind us and we really enjoy working with Rigby and Rigby. They get us involved early on in the projects which enables us to add real value and gives us the opportunity to explore challenging design options with their clients.”