Hide and Seek

Recently, we sat down with Dov to talk about “Hide and Seek” kitchen, the design community in Winnipeg, and some of the trends he sees in kitchen design.

What were some of the challenges in doing Hide-and-Seek Kitchen?

There were two main challenges. Firstly, creating a space that was highly functional yet looked pristine and without clutter. Secondly, because the house was built on a narrow lot, there were severe limitations that applied to the entire design process. Creating a space that felt expansive became a challenge on a small footprint. By utilizing different masses of the home, we were able to achieve a diversity of space, while maintaining the open-concept feel.

And even have a vegetable garden out back, you said.

Yes, even with our space limitations, we managed to make room for a fairly large vegetable garden in the backyard, with window wells in back of the house that have herb gardens you can walk down into.

How did Sub-Zero and Wolf help you achieve your design goals?

Using Sub-Zero helped conceal the functional components of the kitchen, which was essential to the design. The integrated freezer drawers allowed them to be hidden away as well as providing the freedom to separate the refrigerator and the freezer, where sleek, horizontal lines were desired. The integrated refrigerator blended seamlessly into the matte black box, while the flush mount induction cooktop allowed a seamless prep space for multiple cooks.

You got your degree in architecture in Toronto, then moved back to Winnipeg. Is Winnipeg as dynamic a city in terms of culture and design?

There are incredibly exciting things going on in Winnipeg – wonderful architecture, a great art scene, and lots of walkable neighborhoods. The Canadian Museum for Human Rights is an amazing building – it just opened last year.

You also got your hockey team back.

Yes, the Winnipeg Jets came back in 2011, after moving to Arizona many years ago. I think we have the most electric arena in the whole NHL – you really have to go to a game to appreciate it.

What are some of the trends you see in kitchen design?

The kitchen is gaining greater importance in the home. It used to be a utilitarian space, but now it has become a gathering space where most family time, entertaining and socializing takes place. I see two streams evolving: one automates the kitchen function and the other is back to basics. In many kitchens, we’re seeing more and more highly specialized devices (think of the Soda Stream) which must be accommodated as part of the flow of the kitchen. At the other end of the spectrum, the foodies love simplicity, which means fewer gadgets and machines, and only the essentials are needed in the kitchen.

How do you relax? Or maybe the better question, DO you relax?

I am very busy, not only with the practice and my young family, but with volunteer work, where I sit on various boards and committees in the community. However, I do get away, especially in the summertime. We have a small cottage north of here, the only cottage on the lake. With no connectivity! Pure bliss.