Kitchen & Bath Business - February/March 2021 - 34

SUSTAINABLE DESIGN

A Healthier
Family Home

Indoor air quality and energy efficiency take
top priority in a kitchen renovation

HEN DONE WELL, FUNCTIONALITY AND ECO-

can go hand in hand.
For a kitchen renovation completed by
designer Laura Hodges of Washington, D.C.-based Laura Hodges Studio,
simple adjustments - as well as carefully
chosen products - created both a design that's
good for the client and the environment.
FRIENDLY DESIGN

CHANGING AN AWKWARD LAYOUT
WITH MINIMAL WASTE

The original kitchen was dark with an inefficient
floor plan.To enlarge the room, the team captured
much-needed square footage from an adjacent
powder room and reworked the layout of the cabinetry and appliances for a better workflow. Using
SketchUp, they also planned the new space to
have increased storage and seating with more efficiently designed cabinetry - all without removing
too much of the existing kitchen.

34
34-35_KBB_0221_SustainableDesign.indd 34

ABOVE " My favorite part of

this project is the custom
range hood that we created, "
said designer Laura Hodges.
" The gold details highlight the
room's sculptural elements,
and the unique design feels
fresh in this traditional space. "
The white cabinetry and
countertops with warm rattan
counter stools complement
the brass faucets and cabinet
hardware.

By ERINN LOUCKS

" We found that looking at the floor plan for the entire house really helped
us consider all of the options when planning this kitchen renovation, " said
Hodges, explaining that the new layout now features a much larger island,
extended perimeter cabinetry and two sinks. " In this situation, reducing
the size of a large powder room allowed us to rework an awkward kitchen
cabinetry layout. "
Several components of the original space were kept, minimizing the
amount of construction waste in the project. In the eat-in area, the existing
terracotta floor tiles stayed in place for a touch of warmth, and the stone walls
remained to add rustic character. Some of the original cabinetry that was in
good working order was simply refaced to fit the updated design.
MAXIMIZING EFFICIENCY

According to Hodges, the initiative to include sustainable tactics and elements in the design was not pushed by the clients, but it was encouraged by
the firm and ultimately benefited everyone.
" It was important for us to use sustainable elements to create a safe and
non-toxic environment for our clients, " she said, adding that the homeowners have four children. " We also wanted to keep a low carbon footprint with
respect to our environmental impact. "
The cabinetry that could not be refaced was produced by a local cabinetmaker, saving on shipping and transportation while cutting down on carbon

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Kitchen & Bath Business - February/March 2021

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