KITCHEN THROUGHOUT THE CENTURIES: OPEN LECTURE BY RUSLAN AHLIULLIN AS PART OF DESIGN WEEK AT KNUTD

On October 8, 2026, an open online lecture by Ruslan Ahliullin, PhD, Associate Professor of the Department of Interior and Furniture Design of the KNUTD, member of the Union of Designers of Ukraine, was held on the topic “Kitchen through the centuries: a historical overview of the development of kitchen furniture design.” The event was held as part of the Ukrainian Design and Innovation Week (UDIW) and Design Week at KNUTD.

The lecture was dedicated to the evolution of the kitchen — from an open hearth and portable cooking equipment to a modern functional space. Ruslan Ahliullin revealed how changes in everyday life, the development of technology, and ideas about comfort influenced kitchen layout, equipment, and furniture.

Using examples of historical images, archaeological finds, and visual reconstructions, the lecturer spoke about the peculiarities of the cuisines of Ancient Greece and Rome, public catering establishments in Pompeii, and medieval hearths and ovens. Special attention was paid to unusual household appliances and methods of organizing the processes of cooking and storing food.

An important part of the speech was an overview of technical innovations that changed the kitchen space: improvements in ovens and stoves, the spread of gas and electrical equipment, the emergence of refrigerators and household electrical appliances. The lecturer showed how these inventions affected the design of kitchen furniture and everyday life.

Considering the development of the kitchen in the 20th century, Ruslan Ahliullin highlighted the transition from separate pieces of furniture to a coordinated system with a common work surface. The discussion covered kitchen cabinets, the search for rational planning in the 1920s and 1930s, the formation of the working triangle principle, and the further development of built-in kitchens. The final part of the lecture dealt with modern approaches to designing kitchen space.

The lecture provided an opportunity to trace the relationship between the history of everyday life, technological changes, and the development of kitchen furniture design. The presented material contributes to the deepening of professional knowledge of future designers and the formation of a conscious approach to designing a comfortable and functional living environment.

16.10.2026