Shared Kitchen, Dining & Breakout Areas
Purpose
Shared Kitchen, Dining & Breakout Areas provide communal spaces that support food preparation, dining, social interaction, informal study and recreational activities within student residential accommodation. These spaces should encourage community engagement while providing safe, functional and comfortable environments for daily use
Design Objectives
Shared Kitchen, Dining & Breakout Areas should:
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Provide safe, functional and accessible communal facilities.
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Support food preparation, dining and informal social interaction.
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Encourage student wellbeing, community building and inclusion.
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Accommodate a variety of activities including dining, gathering and informal study.
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Provide adequate storage, seating and circulation space.
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Ensure compliance with health, hygiene and fire safety requirements.
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Provide appropriate lighting, ventilation and thermal comfort.
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Use durable, maintainable and easy-to-clean materials and finishes.
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Provide access to power and ICT connectivity where appropriate.
Typical Furniture & Equipment
A standard shared kitchen, dining and breakout area should typically include:
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Kitchen cabinetry and storage cupboards
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Benchtops and food preparation areas
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Sink and mixer tap
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Electric Frypan
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Microwave
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Refrigerator/freezer
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Dining table(s)
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Dining chairs or stools
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Lounge seating or casual seating
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Coffee or breakout tables
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Waste and recycling bins
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Noticeboard or community information board
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Power outlets and USB charging points
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Wi-Fi access
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Fire extinguisher and fire safety signage
