Sub-Zero and Wolf are industry leaders in refrigeration, wine preservation and cooking appliances. With products constructed from premium-grade materials, state-of-the-art technology and high-quality craftsmanship, Sub-Zero Wolf offers unrivalled levels of freshness in refrigeration and professional-grade cooking appliances.

For almost 30 years, the Sub-Zero Group has celebrated outstanding kitchen design globally with their Kitchen Design Contest (KDC). Finalists are selected by an international panel of esteemed architects, kitchen designers and interior designers. Of 1,700 entrants, 29 finalists progress to the winner’s summit held in the United States this October 2022. est takes a closer look at seven Australian designers’ kitchens that have earned a place among the finalists.

Produced in partnership with Sub Zero and Wolf

Centennial Park Residence | Spicer Architecture & Isabelle Harris Design

With its convoluted history of alterations and extensions, Centennial Park Residence was in desperate need of revival. Spicer Architecture principal Jonathon Spicer and Isabelle Harris Design director Isabelle Harris answered the brief. By removing a major 1980s renovation while respecting the 1920s Art Deco bones, a bold, geometric interpretation ensues.

Within the kitchen, Jonathon and Isabelle leaned on soft curves, metallic touches and a rich colour palette – reminiscent of the Art Deco era. Walnut parquetry flooring flows under an opulent marble countertop with a statement circular pendant. An integrated Sub-Zero designer series wine storage unit adds to the kitchen’s sophistication. At the same time, a Wolf induction cooktop meets the streamlined and graceful aesthetic.

Brighton House | Adam Kane Architects

Brighton House by Melbourne architectural firm Adam Kane is defined by restraint and refinement. Principal Adam Kane extends the sense of grandeur of the original home, connecting old and new with a distinctive arch-shaped threshold. Adam’s approach incorporates expansive corridors, polished plaster walls, and concrete flooring, while full-scale glazing connects the home to its water and city views.

The crisp, clean and linear aesthetic is carried into the kitchen with a deliberate, pared-back palette of muted grey, white and deep charcoal. Appliances are neatly housed behind custom cabinetry, such as the dual Sub-Zero designer series wine storage unit. The countertop in the main kitchen neatly incorporates the Wolf induction cooktop, and the adjacent butler’s pantry houses a more comprehensive Wolf multifunction module, 38cm transitional induction cooktop and 38cm transitional steamer module.

Sanctuary House | Latitude 37

Located in Melbourne’s east, Sanctuary House is a two-level display home, carefully curated with consideration of both the unique cross fall of the site and the existing oak tree centred in the courtyard. Latitude 37 designer Christopher Gavralas envisioned a ‘resort style’ home, complete with a horizon edge pool and amenities including a spa, sauna and gymnasium.

Within the kitchen, Christopher and his team favour a neutral and enduring material palette for practicality. Polished concrete, timber and tiled flooring are combined with high-quality appliances including the integrated Sub-Zero designer series wine storage unit, Wolf contemporary M series single oven and the Wolf induction cooktop.

Kenley Court Residence | Workroom

Melbourne-based architectural firm Workroom, led by director John Bornas designed this dignified, contemporary and timeless family home by leaning on hardy materials including concrete, timber and stone. Carrying the theme of reliability and performance into the kitchen, John opted for high-quality appliances inside and out. Indoors, the discreet Wolf induction cooktop offers an elegant low profile on the working kitchen bench. Food items are neatly tucked away behind an integrated Sub-Zero designer series all refrigerator-column. Outside, a Wolf outdoor grill with a Wolf 33cm built-in burner module is paired with a wood-fired pizza oven.

Horizon Flinders | Mim Design

With breathtaking views of the rugged cliffs along Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula, Mim Design delivers interiors that connect with the surrounding environment. In line with the home’s grand external presence, internally, multiple entertaining and lifestyle spaces span two levels, including multiple kitchens, a wine room, a generous master suite, sauna, gym, and bathing spaces featuring spa-like features.

Taking cues from the ocean, director Miriam Fanning compares the main kitchen island bench to a block of foamy white marble. A sophisticated colour palette is purposefully restrained to draw focus toward the ocean vista. Mim relied on professional-quality appliances in both kitchens in line with the home’s high-end finishes. The main kitchen houses a Sub-Zero designer series all-refrigerator-column and the Wolf 76cm M series contemporary black glass convection steam oven and the Wolf 76cm E series contemporary convection steam oven for when guest numbers rise. The ground-floor kitchen showcases the Wolf induction cooktop and Wolf 60cm E series transitional built-in single oven.

Canberra House | Studio Minosa

In Canberra’s city of Turner, Studio Minosa answered a brief for a luxury kitchen with high-performance appliances that could meet the needs of a growing family. Designers Darren Genner and Simona Castagna opted for an open plan format allowing extensive uninterrupted zones between the kitchen and scullery.

Studio Minosa acknowledged that the home’s strongest architectural features are its long linear design, open plan format and large expansive windows, ultimately creating a kitchen that connects dining, living, and outdoor entertaining zones. With a streamlined theme in mind, Darren and Simona opted for sleek appliances, including the Wolf induction cooktop, the Sub-Zero classic series side-by-side refrigerator/freezer with internal dispenser and a Sub-Zero classic series wine storage unit to complete the composition.

Bay House | Hare & Klein

New South Wales interior design firm Hare & Klein were asked to design a statement kitchen that could exist in full view from many vantage points both inside and outside. For this reason, principal Meryl Hare and interior designer Kristie Nixon favoured simplicity and elegance, combining clean lines with sophisticated finishes. Walnut flooring complements matching cabinetry, alongside dark marble punctuated with subtle gold accents.

As the kitchen is integral to the overall design (positioned in line with the home entrance), Meryl and Kristie specified integrated appliances to ensure the space is uncluttered. A Sub-Zero designer series all refrigerator-column is tucked away behind cabinetry, as is the dishwasher within the butler’s pantry. The Wolf 76cm M series contemporary black glass convection steam oven, Wolf 76cm E series contemporary convection steam oven and the Wolf induction cooktop continue the sleek aesthetic and accentuate the elegance of the adjacent marble island bench.