“Cool ideas, great materials, and universal design that’s stylish,” said the judges of the Woolworth kitchen. The jury gave the kitchen a Grand Award for how well it delivers on program requirements: a clean, contemporary space with an attached home office and ease of mobility for the clients’ son, who uses a wheelchair.

A narrow island and tall cabinets make this remodeled kitchen functional, despite the narrow footprint. The island is the focal point—site-cast concrete accented with black quartz and cherry cabinets—and the laminated maple ceiling panel was inspired by boiling water.

The prep side of the island is linear, while the opposite side is curved, allowing for easy wheelchair mobility within the galley layout. At one end of the island, a bubinga leaf provides extra counterspace, folding down when not in use. A maple cabinet on the island’s curved side is a good place to stash table linens, and a manual-operated ramp makes coming and going simple.

Learn more about markets featured in this article: Omaha, NE.