A quick guide to the working Triangle
Good kitchen design should make using the kitchen an effortless, pleasurable activity and the much is spoken about ‘Working Triangle’. Quite simply the working triangle uses simple formulas to ensure good design and working practices.
The concept really took hold in the 1950′s and was borne out of new methods in industrial efficiency dating back to the 1920′s and 1930′s. The study of ergonomics found that there are three primary functions of a kitchen and three sets of tasks that are carried out routinely and the aim was to optimise the distance between these activities.
The tasks are Cooking, Preparation and Washing. This sounds obvious which is why the Working triangle works so well! The simple rule is to have working ‘zones’ for each activity and to have them a sensible distance apart: Never more than a 6m walk between all three but always more than 900mm between each.
The cooking zone
When designing your cooking area (wherever possible) you should allow good worktop counter space either side. You should also consider how you use each area so for example what saucepans, baking trays, kitchen utensils etc do you have and where will you store them close to where you will use them.
The Preparation zone
This area is where you can comfortably chop, roll, mix, blend, serve and prepare in comfort! So good work space is essential and accessible storage for crockery, bowls, mixers etc. Simple ideas such as setting the worktop at a comfortable working height for you or having bins nearby through to perhaps incorporating marble if you are a budding pastry chef will make this area more pleasurable to use. Always remember it is your kitchen and you should design it for how you actually use it.
The Wet zone
Because plumbing tends to be fixed and in one location it is sensible to have all your washing items in a similar location. So your sink and dishwasher should be together and unless you have a separate utility room your washing machine and tumble dryer. Your dishwasher and sink should always be close together although they didn’t discover that in the 1950’s!
working triangle concept is sensible and can be applied to every kitchen and every layout, sometimes it will work better than others but whether your kitchen is large or small if you keep the idea in mind you will create a more pleasurable working environment and a more logical design.
