Page 08 · Kitchens
The kitchen that moves with you
An American family, a German rental with no kitchen, and a move in three years. The answer: three free-standing modules that come apart with two bolts each.
Starting point
The brief
In Germany, rentals without a kitchen are normal – for the Carter family from Ohio it was a surprise. Buy a fitted kitchen for three years and leave it behind? Not an option.
So the kitchen had to stand without being fixed to the wall, fit up a narrow stairwell, go into a shipping container – and look just as good in Texas as it does in Berschweiler.
On top of that, a big American fridge, 91 cm wide, needed its own space next to the modules.
A piece you can’t take apart is a piece somebody will eventually throw away.
Wood and finish
Materials
Birch & plywood Betula pendula
Birch plywood carcasses with exposed edges
Birch & plywood to the wood guide →
Also used
- Linoleum worktop on plywood
- Stainless connector bolts
- Levelling feet with 25 mm adjustment
Sizes & facts
- Modules
- 120 + 90 + 60 cm
- Height
- 92 cm
- Heaviest module
- 48 kg
- Take-down time
- about 20 minutes
How we went about it
Process
Meeting in English
First visit at the apartment; we measured the stairwell, the doors and the fridge.
Modules, not a run
Three modules on legs instead of one continuous run – each stands on its own and fits on end through 80 cm doors.
Joints that come apart
The modules are joined with barrel bolts; the worktops are only laid on and pinned.
Flexible connections
Sink on hoses, hob with a plug – all of it can be disconnected without an electrician.
Test assembly
Built in the workshop, taken apart, labelled. For the move there is an illustrated guide in English.
9 weeks
Timeline
- Design2 wk
- Workshop5 wk
- Test build1 wk
- Delivery1 wk
4 drawings
Picture story
Tap to enlarge. Swipe or use the arrow keys in the viewer.