Wood is now passé

When I think of Chennai in terms of its weather, what stands out is the heat and humidity we witness on most days of the year. These two factors play a huge role in architectural design. Here’s how:

In any home, the kitchen is considered as one of the most important spaces. With the modernisation of our homes, cooking is no longer done behind four walls: the kitchen needs to be open to attract attention and is often the hub of the home. Our kitchens thereby have moved from being only utilitarian and have transformed into aesthetically pleasing spaces.

In a city like Chennai, how can we as designers, address its local climate within a space already prone to heat?

This brings me to question the appropriateness of the use of wood for cabinets in Indian kitchens — considering the material’s expansion qualities when exposed to high heat and upon moisture absorption. If you go back in time to traditional pre-modern kitchens, the storage shelving was primarily left open, with slabs of either concrete or stone. If at all any cover was needed, metal mesh doors with minimal wood frames were used.

With global influences creeping in, wood has found its way into our kitchens and with the modular kitchen revolution, it’s here to stay. Currently, wood is used in different forms: as plywood or MDF boards with laminated, veneer or painted polyurethane finish, marine plywood which is relatively more waterproof and durable or solid wood with a water-proof polish finish.

It’s time we look at alternative materials not just for environmental reasons, but to ensure the longevity of our kitchens. Our options include: open shelves with slabs of natural stone, shutters with minimal woodwork and metal mesh doors which ensure adequate ventilation.

Creativity and innovation need to play a big part in coming up with alternates for today’s kitchens. Metal sheets can be etched with artwork, polished and fixed within a minimal wood frame and used along with a mesh for ventilation and to prevent insects. Accessories such as handle pulls and bolts that complement the material and colour scheme can enhance the design.

This combination of mesh and etched metal with minimal wood is one option that works well to ensure an aesthetic that’s different, artistic, unique and practical apart from minimising use of wood.