Kitchen Contours is a Wanganui-based kitchen design, manufacture and installation business operating successfully in the Wellington and Lower North Island region. This case study details the way in which the industry has evolved since the company’s inception in the early 1980s and examines developments which have taken place in design and manufacturing technology, material selection and the skill requirements in the workforce.

Characteristics of Technological Outcomes

• Collaborative, interdisciplinary practice

Technological Modelling

• How evidence and reasoning supports decision making

Technological Products

• Material use; product life cycles

Technological Knowledge and skills

• Concepts used to construct with resistant materials
• Designing for manufacture

• Company website: www.kitchencontours.co.nz
• New Zealand Building Industry Federation: www.bif.org.nz
• Industry training organisation for the joinery, glass and glazing and kitchen design industries: www.jito.org.nz
• Techlink Enterprise Links case study with Wanganui Girls’ College           
• www.techlink.org.nz/Case-studies/enterprise/wanganui-girls/index.htm
• YouTube video: 2020 kitchen design

Discussion starters (Years 11-13):

• Describe how modeling techniques have evolved and explain how these have influenced the process of minimising the risk of producing a kitchen that does not meet customer requirements.
• Explain the following terminology as related to the kitchen design, manufacture and installation process:
• ‘Big box’ giants
• Customisation
• Material evaluation
• On-time delivery
• Efficiency