How to build a Mediterranean kitchenette?

[marthaishka]

Hi guys,

Happy DIY July! I'm going to be building a kitchenette out of hebel blocks and powerpanels (I was thinking powerpanels but if I'm better going down another route I am open to that) inorder to achieve a full rendered open shelving kitchen look with soft rounded corners and I want the countertop to match the frame in an off white colour. 

Here's my questions that I would greatly apprecaite some help with

• If I render the top of the hebel powerpanels, painted it and then used a 2pac varnish would this be sturdy enough as a countertop?
• Does anyone know how I can find out where the mesh is in powerpanels to put plumbing through? Can't find technical specs online. 
• I've heard hebel should be waterproofed in wet areas - how much waterproofing should I do on a kitchenette?
• The part where using hebel gets tricky is the small space behind the sink (will be approx 110mm) I want to use an Undermount/Exposed Front Bulters sink and I am thinking the only way to do the taps is to have them wall mounted as it's going to be tricky to mount them through narrow hebel powerblocks. Or am I wrong and I can easily carve out space for the taps even in narrow blocks?
• Any other suggestions for how to do the countertops and finish them so they look rendered and the same as the frame but easier to drill holes into?

Inspiration pictures attached - ideally I want it all rendered and the same colour and texture including the countertop.

Thanks a mill!

Martha

[EricL]

Hello @marthaishka 

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us and thanks for sharing your question about CSR PowerPanels. 

Please allow us to get in contact with our supplier regarding your plans on creating a mediterranean inspired kitchenet. We'll have to verify that the PowerPanels can be used as a benchtop. We'll also be referring to CSR in regards to the rest of your queries. As soon as we have more information, we'll get back to you.

Thank you for your patience.

Eric

[EricL]

Hello @marthaishka 

Thank you for your patience, I've been in contact with Hebel's technical team, and they suggested using the Hebel PowerBlock. There is also a link on how to assemble a BBQ bench using Hebel, which I believe you can use to make a kitchenet profile.

However, using the PowerBlock means that it will be too thick to render, and you won't be able to achieve that soft rounded corner look.

If you are keen to recreate that look, I propose taking a different approach by building a timber frame using 70x35 and covering the entire structure in James Hardie HardieFlex™ 2400 x 1200 x 6mm Cladding and rendering over it. This will give you the freedom to shape the outside surface and duplicate that Mediterranean look you're after. 

The plus side of building this in timber is that you can build support for the Butlers sink and avoid having to guess where the plumbing can go through. In regards to the benchtop, I recommend having a look at this discussion - Concrete tabletop project by @markw. The HardieFlex cladding can be waterproofed using Crommelin 1L Exterior Grade Brushable Waterproofer before rendering.

Another option you can explore is to use large 600x600 outdoor tiles to create the surface of your benchtop. 

Let me call on our experienced members @Dave-1, @Nailbag and @Adam_W for their recommendations.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

[Dave-1]

Afternoon @marthaishka 

Mmmm I think I will be following along on this one as I cant think of more to add. It sounds like an interestingproject and also thinking outside the box

Will follow along and let you know if I think of anything. 

Dave

[marthaishka]

Thank you @EricL and @Dave-1 !! - after much consideration I am going to use Hebel powerblocks for the structure and recycled laminate countertops I've bought on FB Marketplace. I am going to DIY microcement the whole thing then to give a minimalist finish (trying FestFloor for the first time who sell DIY kits)