Brad Burke wanted to practice sustainability, so he designed a solar-powered home for his family of five. He also hoped to foster group interaction and felt focusing on the kitchen did that. “For the way we live and most people live, the kitchen becomes the center of the universe,” says Burke. “It’s the literal center of our home, and everything spins off of it.”

Three sets of transparent folding doors link the kitchen to a 600-square-foot side porch with evening vistas featuring San Diego’s distant lightscape. On the opposite elevation, countertops around the sink extend through the wall to become a serving area for outdoor dining. Views from the stove across the interior eating area flow through single-glazed glass walls to a spacious stone terrace warmed by a concrete block fireplace.

Within the kitchen, four spaced-out work stations invite everyone to get involved. Sink with prep counter, the stove island, and a mail-sorting/desk station define three sides of the room. A 4-foot-by-5-foot-4-inch island offers seating or additional prep space in the middle. The island is mounted on casters, so it’s ready to roll anywhere a flat surface might come in handy.

Sleek cable lighting offers a range of brightness options and fits easily with the home’s exposed post-and-beam structure (all done with laminated strand lumber, a renewable timber product). Natural materials like granite counters and ground slate floors stand up to abuse and enjoy long life spans. Jatoba wood brings richness to the cabinetry and comes from sustainably harvested forests.

Construction Manager: Burdick Construction, Escondido, Calif.; Architect: Brad Burke, San Diego; Photographer: Paul Body.

Resources

Dishwasher: Asko; Faucets: Grohe; Lighting: Red Dot and Tech Lighting; Range: Wolf; Refrigerator: Sun Frost.