The Luxury of Laurent in a Dramatic New Kitchen

The landscapes of Central Otago are some of the most dramatic in New Zealand, punctuated with stunning mountains, lakes, and desert-like expanses. This gorgeous new home in Queenstown, created by KOIA Architects, looks out to some of the most beautiful mountains in the region — Coronet Peak and the Remarkables ski slopes — and sits between two knolls. Architect Tony Koia knew that the house had to fit into the landscape, and survive the harsh weather the region can experience, and that the interior had to match the breathtaking topography too. 

In the kitchen, the heart of the home, an epic 3,545mm long island and a splashback were specified in Dekton, Laurent. The island is asymmetrical in shape, becoming thinner as it extends towards floor-to-ceiling glazing out to the mountains. Wood Solutions joinery in Dunedin used 12mm thickness, mitred to 30mm, for a dramatic centrepiece to the space. The dark colour, with its golden veins, is impactful and original. 

“All of the forms in the house are a direct response to the land, views and shelter we wished to create,” explains Koia. “The placement, form and materiality of the home took shape directly from the site and is a response to it.” 

“The large island is representative of the organic landscape with its non-orthogonal shape,” says Koia. “I think the homeowners, who chose Laurant, were drawn to the veins for drama and effect. In such a light-filled room, we could accommodate a darker kitchen. It adds a moodiness to the interior and ties into the aluminium joinery and louvres. And Laurent’s colour makes it stand out.”   

It was the first time the architect had used Laurent in a project, but its availability in large format slabs made it easy to specify for such a large application. And, it “seems to be very forgiving,” says Koia of the stain-, scratch and heat-resistant surface that is warrantied for 25 years. 

“We have started to use oversized islands a lot,” adds Koia. “Sometimes with benches behind them, sometimes without. It changes the whole dynamic of the space. I have found that with an oversized island, guests are more likely to involve themselves in the cooking process, which I personally love.” 

Explore the full range of colours across Dekton® here.