HIP

HIP is a kitchen shelving system consisting of seven different shelf designs, created to meet daily cooking and kitchen-related needs. The series helps organize cooking processes while creating a secondary working space on the often overlooked tile area, keeping the countertop free for food preparation. The work on HIP began as part of a broader research project I undertook for my bachelor's degree and thesis, in which I explored historical trends in kitchen design. I realised that contemporary kitchen design is largely driven by the desire to make the kitchen as seamless and invisible as possible – a fact that reflects in how we cook and eat and stands in a strong contrast to early 20th-century functionalist approaches, which emphasized practicality and purpose-built spaces.

My response to this observation is the creation of HIP – a stylish shelving system that unapologetically reintroduces workshop-like functionality to the kitchen countertop. HIP is not only inspired by iconic design movements of the past but also responds to the needs of modern living, proposing a more flexible interpretation of what a ‘shelf’ can be. The shelves require no drilling or permanent installation; instead, they hang from the custom-designed HIP hook. The hook uses a reliable suction cup mechanism to ensure a secure, stable, and hassle-free attachment. This system makes it easy to install, reposition, clean, or remove the shelves entirely, allowing users to adapt their kitchen space to their individual needs, height, and evolving cooking habits.