Spending hours slaving alone over dinner is a thing of the past. The kitchen has developed into a habitual hot spot for socializing with more integration into the living spaces of the house, and food storage and preparation is only part of the recipe for a well-designed space. As the new hub of the modern home, we expect more from our kitchen—convenience, comfort, cleanliness, the latest technology— while simultaneously demanding less—less energy consumption, water usage, and waste. It’s a delicate balance, and one that is in a constant state of development. 

In this spirit of evolving the archetype, Designboom and Dwell have brought a fusion of their respective European and American flavors to Kitchen Ecology: Recipes for Good Design. Featuring works from the freshest young and upcoming international designers, this curated exhibition will explore ways to tweak the basic ingredients that make up our kitchens to produce the most eco-friendly, energy efficient models possible. 

Kitchen Ecology: Recipes for Good Design will feature examples of kitchen design innovation from around the world. See these designs and many more at Dwell on Design 2009.