Winners Chosen for Sub-Zero/Wolf Competition

MADISON, WI — For many kitchen designers, their best work represents equal parts imagination and instinct.

The 1,400 kitchen designs submitted for consideration for the 9th Bi-Annual Sub-Zero/Wolf Kitchen Design Contest reflected this concept. The designs, while showcasing their own style, also incorporated a variety of trends – such as integrated refrigeration, more pronounced use of reclaimed material, and a “less is more” approach.

For this year’s contest, two first-place national winners were selected – one for a contemporary kitchen and one for a traditional kitchen. Each first-place winner was awarded a cash prize of $15,000. The second-place national winner (any style kitchen) received $10,000, and the third-place winner (any style kitchen) received $5,000. The Designer’s Choice Award, a special award selected by the design community via an online voting system, was increased to $15,000.

Modern Spin

Taking home honors for the First Place/Contemporary category was Jose Eduardo Calma of Lor Calma & Partners in Makati City, Philippines.

This ultra modern space incorporated straight, sleek lines and a mix of cool, modern materials. The two-tiered island is a focal point for the room, and includes a raised wood sitting and dining area above a stainless steel counter that features a Wolf cooktop. A sleek, stainless steel island hood in a contemporary design sits above the cooktop. Cabinets in a soft gray hue add warmth to the space.

The island affords the cook an open view of the great room beyond the space. Behind the island, a wall in a neutral tone conceals the remaining kitchen area.

History Lesson

An historic home built in 1915 was the setting for the kitchen that took First-Place honors for the Traditional category. The home’s kitchen was renovated and re-imagined by awardee Vasi Ypsilantis, CKD of Manhasset, NY-based The Breakfast Room, Ltd.

“The owners of the mansion requested that certain items original to the home not be disturbed, including the original sink, 12' hood, wall tiles and two pieces of furniture that were finished to match the original house trim,” explains Ypsilantis.

“It was important to respect the home’s design integrity, but I also wanted to design a traditional kitchen of today,” she continues.

To do so, she selected a range of high-end products, including cabinetry from Downsview Kitchens, a Wolf microwave drawer, a Franke prep sink and potfiller and a Sub-Zero wine cooler.

The designer’s favorite part of the kitchen is the center island – a re-imagined version of an ice box island brought up to date by using six Sub-Zero refrigerator and freezer drawer units.

Also incorporated into the space are Buttermilk quartz countertops from CaesarStone, floor and backsplash tile from Artistic Tile and stainless steel panels from Wilsonart.

“The original cabinetry was respected by adding new custom cabinetry in a similar yet warmer color,” Ypsilantis explains. She adds that the room colors were selected “because they eliminated the gloomy look of the original space.”

With regard to function, the kitchen had to be versatile, as it would be used by caterers, cooks and the homeowners.

“When we began, this was a simple, utilitarian space. To modify that, we added a curved ceiling design to integrate it with the other rooms in the mansion,” she remarks. “We incorporated the oversized hood into the new ceiling, with a curved stack.”

As a result, instead of being overpowering, the hood became the focal point of the room. The cooking area was rounded out with a 60" Wolf range.

Stay Connected

A dynamic kitchen will surely foster connections, and for the design team of E.J. Meade, AIA, Ken Andrews and Claire Jordan, only a space that is integrated properly – inside and out – can achieve such heights.