Ergonomic Kitchen: 5 concepts that make up a project

With the notoriety that kitchens have gained in residential projects, one point has become even more evident in their design: the importance of ergonomics . Always attentive to these concerns, architect Bruno Moraes , head of the BMA Studio office, made this concern even more evident in the project he signed for CASACOR São Paulo 2023. In his ' Functional Kitchen ', the professional highlights the bold aesthetics of his proposal, as well as highlighting the importance of observing comfortable measurements for installing work areas and appliances. But what are the concepts behind an ergonomic kitchen ? Check out 5 features highlighted by architect Bruno Moraes.

1. Kitchen cabinets

One of the main pieces of furniture in a kitchen are the cabinets , which take up a large part of the area. When upper cabinets are installed above the blacksplash , the setback is essential to avoid accidents . In terms of measurements, the architect indicates a distance of 75 cm when we have the upper cabinet set back from the countertop alignment, but when we have the upper cabinet aligned with the countertop, without a setback, we need to have more than 1 m of distance between the cabinet and the countertop.

2. Circulation in space

The starting point is to understand the flow of the kitchen and the dynamics of the residents. In layouts that only have the counter in front of a wall, “corridor kitchen”, the professional recommends greater circulation , to avoid giving the impression of a cramped or claustrophobic environment.

Although for many it may seem like a charm, thinking ergonomically about the hot tower transforms the kitchen in a fantastic way . To do this, it is necessary to analyze the characteristics of the appliance , to produce the carpentry that will accommodate it correctly and that considers the ventilation needs of each piece of equipment. Regarding the dimensions of the niche , he indicates that, in general, companies suggest a minimum depth of 60 cm , however, a personalized analysis by the architect is always worth it, who, among other points, needs to consider a height that is comfortable for the eyes and access of the resident.

4. Cooktop and sink

In general, the professional considers installing the cooktop at a height of between 90 and 95 cm from the floor, but for comfort purposes, he leaves the decision to be made after analyzing the characteristics of the resident. Another reference measurement is the thickness of the countertop that will receive the piece, which will depend on the resistance of the material you choose. The planning also considers a minimum distance from the wall , as well as a space on the sides of the cooktop , which will serve as ventilation and an area for supporting food. To avoid overheating , it is essential to consider a clearance of between 5 and 10 cm from the bottom, depending on the model you choose, and always plan a minimum distance from the kitchen sink (50 cm is a good parameter) to avoid splashing water when using the tap. Similar to the cooktop , sinks follow the same level as the countertop.

5. Workbench and work areas

For worktops, the architect recommends a height of between 90 and 95 cm from the floor, with taller designs, such as a counter, reaching between 1 and 1.10 m.

And when the area is assigned to serve, in general the stools must have a height of 75 cm, in the case of a counter and stools with a height of 65 cm for countertops up to 95 cm from the floor, leaving a 25 cm recess for the legs to fit under the counter and a minimum of 10 cm of recess for the feet to rest on the masonry base, which is normally raised from the floor between 10 and 15 cm in relation to the floor.