A scene from Spielberg’s Artificial Intelligence. While the situation seems perfectly normal on the surface, the kitchen table represents an emotional connection between the family.

“We need to find a place where we are safe; We walk into that which we cannot yet see. Say it plain, that many have died for this day. Sing the names of the dead who brought us here, who laid the train tracks, raised the bridges, picked the cotton and the lettuce, built brick by brick the glittering edifices they would then keep clean and work inside of. Praise song for struggle; praise song for the day. Praise song for every hand-lettered sign; The figuring it out at kitchen tables.”

How welcome it was to hear Elizabeth Alexander’s phrase (as above but with an ‘at’ in the middle) near the end of her poem at Obama’s inauguration. It reminded me of the domestic role of the kitchen table. It serves as the centre of family communication, a subliminal peacekeeper, gently designed to encourage conversation. Older generations might think these experiences belong in the dining room. Today, such communication most often occurs in the kitchen.

In holistic design terms, the value of a decent-sized, well-positioned table is on a par with prepping space, storage cupboards and sink cabinets. In psychological terms, it occupies the number one spot for creating family well-being. If ever a piece of furniture deserved a place in the family, it would surely be a table.

There is a saying, ‘what is good for the family is good for the nation’. Curious as to the contemporary symbolism attached to the kitchen table, I set out to explore.  Images on Google are plentiful, kitchen tables in films feature numerously and references to kitchen cabinets and sinks add interesting companions. There seems to be a kind of barefoot element to references for things that emanate from the kitchen table, implying things done simply or by the boot straps, with a down-to-earth approach. Examples of contemporary books include: Kitchen Table Counseling: A Practical and Biblical Guide for Women Helping Others; and Making peace at the table and building healthy eating habits. According to Google, there are 767 books on making peace around the kitchen table, including one by my namesake, John Gray.

The table, with its 15 multiple meanings and deviations (according to dictionary.com) allows you to ‘table a motion for peace, present figures or a graph to explain statistics, put an idea on the table, be under the table, i.e. drunk, or turn the tables and gain the upper hand or simply receive table service in a restaurant’.

Before 900 AD, a ‘table’ referred to either a plank for eating off, or a tableau for writing on. Both of these definitions are applicable to our current project, speculating on the creation of a socialable kitchen for the Obamas.

With all of these symbolic connotations, what is the role of the kitchen table in the White House? What would Obama think about our initiative to turn the Oval Yellow Room on the second floor into kitchen? Historically, the Yellow Oval Room has been used by first ladies to entertain female dignitaries on occasions of peace initiatives. This could provide an authentic environment for an oval kitchen table where all have full eye contact with everyone else sitting around the table. Regardless, The kitchen table will always be there waiting for the First Family to gather round for all of the nation’s most important decisions.

The White House.

The name alone conjures up all kinds of imagery and expectations of power, prestige, formality, and history. The last association one might make with this impressive structure is domesticity. But that’s exactly what it is: a family home. The iconic pillared front contains the presidential Residency, but the places where all the hard work happens, such as the Oval Office, are in the wings.

So how does the world’s newest public family want to live? And how can everyday domesticity be achieved against the backdrop of the presidency? I’ve tried to imagine the Obama’s private sphere and invent ways of supporting and shaping their aspirations for a comfortable home life while at the same time providing sanctity from the very building they live in – and all that it is associated with!

My initial analysis of the building and its existing layout raised a serious question about the size and location of the family kitchen installed by President Carter. Stuck in a northern corner measuring 12’ by 12,’ the space wasn’t sufficient to create a ‘sociable family kitchen.’ So we decided to move it! The space is traditionally used as a parlour or reception room. The choice is also a nod (and a wink) to the ‘Oval Office’ – it focuses the two most important jobs in the world – running the country and raising a family!

The history of the building was the starting point for my design. The building is grand and guarded zealously by a curator. I had to respect the fabric of the architecture and furnishings. That’s why I chose to use free-standing furniture, as we do in many of our JG kitchens. It leaves the walls untouched and use of pieces from the White House collection. It also means the Obama family can take the kitchen with them at the end of their time in the Residency.

I started by imagining a helm from which Michelle and Barack can survey and command their family surroundings while performing culinary theatre! This offers long views out of the windows as well as shorter sight lines to sociable areas. From here, all of the cooking zones radiate in a sequential system, each with the necessary countertop space and storage.

The main kitchen elements comprise two curved islands that create a subtly annexed cooking zone – its tapering shape discourages guests from entering the hive of cooking activity but invites them to hover around the perimeter. The food preparation and cooking zone overlooks the couch, dining and homework areas. The dish washing zone faces the wall and creates a soft barrier to the other living quarters. Pieces from the White House collection house dry food, breakfast cereals, crockery and the like.

In order to create a buffer from the main corridor, I have included a high backed banquette with café table. This piece creates a cocoon in which two can have a quiet conversation or where the girls can do their homework. The larger oval table in the bay is for family dinners and important decisions. And once peace has broken out and all is right with the world, the family can migrate to the hearth or crash on the giant L-shaped couch together.

So this sums up how the form and function were derived…our next installment will bring together materials, colours, and textures – in other words, the aesthetics of First Family life.

- Matt Withington

See the entire concept presentation here.