Kitchen design — work triangle, appliance specs, MEP coordination

Why this is its own step

A kitchen is the densest piece of design in any house — 12–25 cabinet boxes, 4–6 appliances each with its own electrical/plumbing/ventilation/gas requirement, counter material that has to be fabricated and installed in panels, and lighting that addresses task, ambient, and accent at multiple switch zones.

WSEC 2021 gas vs. electric note

WSEC 2021 uses an R406 credit system for space and water heating — it gives more credits for electric heat pumps than gas furnaces. But this applies to space and water heating, not to kitchen cooking appliances. Gas ranges remain permitted under WSEC 2021. If your project replaces the entire heating system, coordinate the heat pump vs. gas decision with the designer during this step.

What the kitchen designer produces

• Cabinet plan — every cabinet drawn, dimensioned, labeled.
• Appliance schedule — make, model, dimensions, electrical/plumbing/gas/vent requirements for each appliance.
• Lighting plan — recessed, pendants, undercabinet, switch zones.
• Counter take-off — square footage by material.

Appliances spec early

Pick appliances during this step, even if you order them later. Each choice drives MEP rough: the electrician needs to know the range amperage (30A, 40A, or 50A); the plumber needs to know whether there's a pot-filler; the HVAC sub needs to know the hood CFM (a 600 CFM hood needs a makeup-air kit; 1,200 CFM needs a serious one).