Style in the hood: there's more to these ventilation hoods than hot air - includes related article

Sunset, May, 1997 by Ann Bertelsen, Daniel Gregory

The range hood is becoming an expressive element in kitchen design, as architects, designers, and manufacturers experiment with a wide variety of sculptural ways to house overhead ventilating systems. As shown on these two pages, choices vary from traditional hearth shapes to contemporary abstract geometrics. Materials include stainless steel, copper, and tile, and the only real limits are your imagination and your pocketbook.

Choices in fan (or blower) suction capacity also vary widely. According to designer Steve Livingston, a ventilator that draws about 1,000 cubic feet per minute (CFM) is ideal for most residential gas cooktops. Noise becomes a factor to consider at higher CFMs, for which Livingston recommends installing a hood with a remote motor and fan. According to Livingston, the best location for the motor and fan is on the outside of the house. "Most of the noise for the hood is caused by the motor, not by the fan," he says.

PYRAMID POWER

The spare, open design of this kitchen puts the range hood at center stage. The architect turned the hood into a piece of modern sculpture. The stainless steel pyramid is attached to the tile-covered wall.

* Hood: Custom-designed by Rankin Gray Architects, San Francisco; (415) 495-7555

* Cooktop: Russell Range; (800) 878-7877

* Counter: Sierra Dusk by Corian; (800) 426-7426

* Kitchen design: Rankin Gray

* Lights: Nelly by Leucos; (908) 225-0010

FLYING SAUCER

Set against a wall of backlit glass block, this stainless steel hood appears to float over the cooking surface like a spaceship. The elegantly curved design blocks as little of the light from the window wall as possible.

* Hood: Best by Broan; (800) 548-0790

* Range: Thermador; (800) 656-9226

* Kitchen design: Rankin Gray Architects, San Francisco; (415) 495-7555

A MELDING OF METALS

The owners of this dramatic kitchen in San Francisco wanted a contrast to the traditional lines of their Pacific Heights home. The designer obliged by creating a spectacular kitchen with a sculpted hood flanked by internally lit, frosted-glass shelves. The hood is made from overlapping panels of copper, configured in a two-directional curve. The copper merges into a stainless steel box, backlit through pinhole dots. Note the marble-fronted cabinets made from "shaved" marble framed in aluminum.

* Hood: Designed by Steve Livingston, Snaidero Kitchens Design, San Francisco; (415) 351-1100. Made by Pacassa Studios, Oakland, CA; (510) 465-4655

* Range: Russell Range; (800) 878-7877

* Backsplash and island: Emerald Pearl granite from Fox Marble & Granite, San Francisco; (415) 647-5160

* Cable lights: R16 by Gage Cauchois, available from Limn, San Francisco; (415) 543-5466

* Cabinets: Etra by Snaidero International; (310) 516-8499

STYLED IN TILE

Using six stock tiles available from local tile shops, the designer created this custom hood to add punch and color to what might otherwise have been simply a charming blue-and-white kitchen. Instead, the combination of tiles - some set diagonally - gives this kitchen character and warmth. The mix of periwinkle blue and yellow solids, offset by decorative border tiles, is an effective contrast. "It's a bright, cozy kitchen that's become the focal point of our home," says owner Connie Weiss of San Mateo, California. The designer adds: "Connie wasn't afraid to go all the way with color. The result speaks for itself."

* Design: Myra Posert, San Francisco; (415) 221-2800

* Decorative tiles: Catalina Collection by Santa Catalina Distributing; (510) 351-7095

* Cooktop: KitchenAid; (800) 422-1230

Sculptural hood sources

Some manufacturers specialize in architectural shapes. Here is a selected listing.

Abbaka. Known for eight standard designs, including pyramid and barrel shapes, as well as custom designs; $2,900 to $7,000. (800) 548-3932.

Best by Broan. Italian-made sleek, contemporary shapes; $970 to $6,310. (800) 548-0790.

NuTone. Makes a disappearing "slide-away" hood; $550 to $600. (800) 543-8687.

Turbo. Italian-made elegant geometric shapes, imported by Four Corners International; $421 to $2,284. (800) 522-2961.

Vent-A-Hood. This pioneer manufacturer of residential cooking ventilation equipment offers a wide range of custom features; prices start at about $500. (214) 235-5201.