Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: refrigerators redux

[Berrins (Berrins]

In a message dated 11/25/01 9:00:29 PM, tamgoddess [at] home.com writes:

<< But it does bring up a point, doesn't it? I think it would behoove groups 
to
have a kitchen designer help them when it gets to that point in the process.
I think there is a real lack of knowledge about kitchen design in cohousing
homes, from what I've heard over the years. We have special needs, since our
kitchens tend to be more compact than regular homes. We, too have an oven
door/dishwasher problem, amongst many other problems in the kitchens, which
could have been averted with better planning.

Our architect got several awards for the design of this place, but the
kitchens could be lots better. I think this being a traditional female
territory, they just don't really care, architecture still being a
male-dominated profession. >>

First, I agree with you that kitchen designers generally do a better job than 
architects but, of course, that's their specialty.  My sister had a 
contractor design a renovation of her kitchen, and now they can't open some 
of the drawers.  Our architects did a nice job with the layout of the 
kitchens, but I would have liked a larger space for our refrigerator.  The 
door doesn't open fully (although it opens enough) and we only have enough 
space for the narrowest regular sized model.  We aren't able to fit in, for 
example, a refrigeratopr with the water and ice that come out the front.  We 
didn't care about this detail, but someone else might.

I disagree, however, that it's a male/female thing.  It's mostly a matter of 
attention to detail.  Architects of both genders know that kitchens are one 
of the most-used rooms and, if they are any good, will pay attention to the 
details.  That said, when working with a new design, a few details can slip 
by.  Our architects were both women and missed the above, however fine, 
detail.  Plus, there are plenty of men cooking at home and in restaurants.  
It may have been traditional for most of us growing up for women to be the 
family cooks, but it was also traditional for men to be the cooks in 
restaurants.  Both of these traditions have changed considerably.  I would 
guess that it's even less of an issue in cohousing.

Now I'm gonna sit back and watch the male/female gender discussion take 
flight....

Roger
Pathways Cohousing
Northampton, MA
_______________________________________________
Cohousing-L mailing list
Cohousing-L [at] cohousing.org  Unsubscribe  and other info:
http://www.communityforum.net/mailman/listinfo/cohousing-l