Kitchens have switched up a gear with influences from the motor industry, according to Libby Johnston, writing in The Telegraph. Hi-tech developments in the sports car, motorbike and super yacht industries are influencing todays most efficient and modern kitchens Shifts in social lives and culture are also impacting on our kitchens. A new breed of mobile units and satellite serveries (mini-kitchens made up of a hot plate or microwave and a sink) mean that kitchen functions can be easily transferred to other areas of the home. Once a separate room, close to or accessible from the dining room, the kitchen has evolved over the past 50 years into part of an open-plan living space where a family can cook, relax and make the focal part of their home. The looks and style of the kitchen have therefore become more important as it has to be integrated with the living room. Charles Lloyd, head of Savills estate agent in Mayfair, says At the high end of the property market, its not uncommon to find houses or apartments with two kitchens. Wealthy buyers often expect their home to come with a professional chefs kitchen, as well as a bespoke family one. Both need to be equipped with the best brand names and latest gadgets, which may include temperature-controlled wine fridges, filtered and boiling water on tap, integrated coffee machines and oversized ovens and fridges. For some homeowners, even two kitchens may not be enough. Multi-storey houses with a converted basement and attic conversion sometimes have serveries or mini kitchens on every floor. An increase in home cinema entertainment spaces has also led to demand for such site-relevant machines such as popcorn-makers and drinks fridges. Laurence Pidgeon, whose Fulham company specialises in architect-designed kitchens, reports a growing need amongst his Chinese, Thai and Indian clients for spice kitchens. He says Designed for the preparation and cooking of pungent spices and curries, these are well ventilated and usually at the back of the house. There is also a separate dressing room in many cases part of the dining area for the assembling of dishes before presentation. The modern kitchens sleek appearance and use of hi-tech materials has even been influenced by the motor industry. Some designers and companies have specialised in both areas and techniques applied in one have also been transferred to the other. Poggenpohl got together with Porsche to produce the P7340 kitchen whilst Italian designer Piero Lissoni has links with Ferrari and is art director of kitchen and bathroom company Boffi. Philippe Starck, who has designed an Aprilia motorbike, has his name on a number of kitchen gadgets produced by Alessi and Schiffini, a fabricator of fittings for the Italian navy and for superyachts, worked with designer Vico Magistretti on the first all-aluminium kitchen.