Kitchen planning may seem like a simple task, but actually involves studying multiple aspects including how cooking activities are conducted, general movement patterns and standard guidelines. The kitchen triangle is a concept commonly used to ensure effective kitchen planning by demarcating the fundamental cooking processes and dividing the kitchen into zones meant for specific activities. Keep reading to understand exactly what the kitchen work triangle is, its main principles, benefits, limitations and how to modify it for relevance in modern design.
What is the Kitchen Triangle?
The kitchen triangle is an imaginary triangle drawn by joining the centre points of the refrigerator, sink and stove in kitchens. This triangle aids the smooth and efficient functioning of kitchens by seamlessly connecting the three main components generally used for cooking. It is used by architects and interior designers across the world as an effective tool in kitchen planning processes to guide the creation of beautiful and functional cooking areas .
The Kitchen Workspace Triangle
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Evolution of the Kitchen Workspace Triangle
The triangle in kitchen concept was developed in the 1940s. ‘Kitchen Practical’, a 1929 work by Lillian Gilbreth (an engineer and psychologist), detailed out the L-shaped kitchen layout with circular routing of cooking activities. This concept was later developed into the ‘cooking triangle’, which optimised the three working processes of storing, cleaning/preparation and cooking food in the 1940s. The architecture department of the University of Illinois (in the USA) then further developed this concept and devised standardised guidelines and dimensions for its use in construction. It has since been used as a popular planning guide across the world.
Guiding Factors for the Kitchen Triangle
The kitchen design work triangle has a few guiding principles, including:
- The length of each side of the triangle must be between 4 ft and 9 ft.
- The sum total of all the three lengths must not be less than 13 ft and not more than 26 ft.
- No tall obstacles should be placed along the lines of the triangle in order to maintain clean movements.
- No obstacles must intersect the triangular area by more than 1 ft.
- Any two parallel countertops must have a minimum gap of 3’6” (for one cook) and 4 ft for more than one cook.
- A counter area of 2’ on one side and 1’6” on the other side must be left clear around the sink.
- A refrigerator should have a clear space of 4’ in front of it and 1’3” of counter space on at least one side (preferably on the side next to the handle).
- At least 1’3” of counter area must be provided on both sides of the stove.
Although not fixed rules, following these guidelines for kitchen planning can help create efficient and productive cooking spaces.
Purpose of the Kitchen Work Triangle
- Efficient Planning: The cooking triangle functions as a basis for kitchen planning and design. Kitchens are planned by considering normal cooking processes, which follow the steps of storing items (in refrigerators), washing them (in sinks) and then cooking them (on the stove). With the triangle, adequate space is ensured for carrying out each of these processes.
- Reduced Stress: The amount of walking inside kitchens to conduct normal cooking activities is drastically reduced by using the kitchen design triangle. Cooking involves large periods of standing and this reduced walking helps lower physical stress. Issues such as body pain caused by cooking activities can be prevented.
- Increased Productivity: Ease of access to vital kitchen components is assured by using the triangle. This leads to faster and more efficient cooking processes, resulting in enhanced productivity.
Limitations of the Cooking Triangle
- Social Changes and Outdated Concepts: The kitchen work triangle works well only when a single person is cooking. This concept was developed in the 1940s on the basis that either a servant or the housewife would be the only person cooking. However, sociological dynamics have changed today, making cooking an equally shared responsibility between different house members.
- Larger Kitchens: Today’s kitchens are much more than rooms used for just cooking. They are large luxurious spaces where multiple activities like cooking, dining and entertaining happen. With increased kitchen sizes, the work triangle dimensions do not work well.
- Incompatible Kitchen Layouts: Layouts like straight kitchens and kitchens with island counters cannot accommodate kitchen triangles easily. However, even these layouts have been studied to be equally efficient and functional.
- Modernised Kitchens: Modern kitchens have a lot of other electrical appliances like microwave ovens, dishwashers, coffee makers, water filters and mixers. Such kitchens are generally divided into different zones such as wet, semi-wet and dry; baking, washing, storage and cooking zones, etc. In this case, planning a kitchen with just the triangle in place may not be efficient.
- Vastu Compliance: According to the principles of Vastu Shastra, one should cook facing the East direction, meaning that the stove or hob should face East. Water elements like sinks need to be placed in the Northeast direction. However, while trying to fulfill these Kitchen Vastu guidelines, an efficient work triangle is difficult to design.
Modern Kitchen Work Triangle Adaptations
Although the work triangle in kitchen design today has many limitations, its principles can be modified to suit modern requirements.
For example, two separate triangles can be created to allow more than one cook to use the kitchen simultaneously (as depicted in the image below). Although an additional sink is required for this, efficient working processes can be ensured with this method.
Two kitchen work triangles
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A way to incorporate this concept in kitchens with island counters is to install the stove on the island counter itself. This will reduce walking distances and create a centralised cooking space around which two sinks and a refrigerator can easily be accommodated.
The division into two separate work triangles can also be made with the help of small under-counter refrigerators, of which two or more (as required) can be placed around the kitchen easily. Dry storage units (such as tall units) can also function as alternatives to refrigerators, as they also store food grains and are part of the cooking process.
How to Ensure the Best Work Triangle in Kitchen Planning
Effective kitchen planning requires careful study and knowledge of the market trends and common guidelines. This is possible with top construction companies like Brick & Bolt, which have several years of experience in kitchen design. With 7000+ completed homes, the company’s team of architects and designers has a comprehensive understanding of concepts like the kitchen triangle, giving them an edge over other similar companies. To ensure that your kitchen is designed based on the best guiding principles and with the best quality, get in touch with Brick & Bolt today!