Kitchen Transformation & Utility Formation

Kitchen Transformation

DAMP AND LEAK ISSUES FROM UPPER FLOORS

The ground floor property had been prone to several leaks from the upper floors, which as we know will find
their way down. Unfortunately the damp ingress with poor air circulation attributed to a musky
atmosphere, evident by the presence of prehistoric silver-fish. For this reason the walls were stripped of the
damp and salt contaminated plaster. A flexible tanking system was applied to the areas deemed necessary,
before reconstruction could resume.

PROTENTIAL LEAK AWARENESS

It was also found that the cold water main entering the property, had been set-in with direct contact to the
cement floor screed, without any means for expansion or corrosion resistance to the alkaline. The piping
was removed and redirected with full concealment above the floor level.

FALSE CEILING

Many aspects we achieved by implementing a new false ceiling. By lowering the ceiling approximately
100mm. First an added depth was achieved to accommodate the following itinerary.
1. Recessed LED lighting
2. Introduction of extraction ducting from the cooking source through to the building exterior
3. As the ceiling was constructed of dense concrete, it was noticeable that foot traffic could easily be
heard from the upper floor kitchen. Therefore it was a rational idea to include the insertion of
sound deadening “mineral wool” within the remaining void
4. Finally, to those of us that do not find textured Artex and coving in a kitchen appealing, then a new
smoothly plastered flat surface was also a modern and welcomed improvement.

IN GENERAL

The room was lacking natural light so from the outset we were looking to improve the overall illumination
of this dark room. This meant that ideally the walls, floor and units needed to be light in colour for the
optimum reflection of natural light. Another consideration was that the kitchen sink should generally have
an outward view to a natural light source. However this project did not warrant direct views to the
communal doorway directly outside.
As the room could still potentially suffer from poor daylight, an additional automatic and controllable
occupancy switch was fitted, which automatically illuminated the room within the two glazed wall units.
This provided a good boost on poorly lit days and also acted as low intermediate automatic evening lighting.
Dimmable and sensor controlled, LED under-unit lighting was also introduced for added illumination to the
work surfaces.

The vertical soil pipe was awkwardly positioned and could not be moved as it served upper floors.
Previously this had meant building the units around the obstruction, however with careful planning it was
incorporated into the design in a way that completely offset its appearance. Drawer units were incorporated
instead of standard door frontages and an integral washing machine and recycling bins. The majority of the
base units were fitted with pull out rail systems, making easy and full access of the base cupboards. Full
Colour coordination, including the glass splash-backs was implemented by NLD.