House Thinking (3)

For most residential homes, the kitchen is a space that multi-functions as community room and dining area. It is the most likely place where a homeowner will renovate and it is the most expensive: the national average for a kitchen renovation is $43,800.

It is a fascinating study to observe how kitchens have morphed alongside women and their roles in family and society. In early America, kitchens were death traps with fires that often ignited long skirts and petticoats. This caused burns to be second only to childbirth as the leading cause
of death among women (p. 75, "House Thinking" Gallagher).

Though the cost of kitchen appliances and other components has skyrocketed, the actual usage of a kitchen has diminished. On average, we make only about a third of our dinner entrees from scratch and it is now estimated that one in four of foods made by supermarkets are up 40% since 1997 (P. 85). So even though we invest more than ever in kitchens outfitted with every gadget, we invest less time there than ever before. Further, it is noted that we are eating meals more alone than ever before making this one of the first times in history that mealtimes are not social activities. Indeed, today's kitchen have a more "look, don't cook" approach.

I find some interesting questions in all this. How would our kitchen and meal experiences be different if we designed the spaces around people instead of around the latest cooktop or microwave? How could those few moments we share as families be enhanced if the function of the kichen were to be restored as a place of community instead of visual consumerism?