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Inside the New NKBA Guidelines with Robin Rigby Fisher, CMKBD, CAPS, CLIPPS - Designers Show #163

Welcome to The "Designers Show" by Chief Experts, where design isn't just an art—it's a profit center!

This episode dives into the newly updated NKBA Kitchen & Bath Guidelines with the always-insightful Robin Rigby Fisher, CMKBD, CAPS, CLIPP. We talk ergonomics, accessibility, smarter appliance planning, and why these new standards matter more than ever for modern living. Expect real talk, design wisdom, and a few laugh-inducing truths about how people actually use their kitchens.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

  • Why NKBA updated the guidelines and what sparked the changes

  • The shift from the “work triangle” to task-based kitchen zones

  • New accessibility priorities designers must know

  • Appliance sizing, clearances, and the rise of giant refrigerators

  • Smarter storage planning based on how people shop and cook today

  • How designers can use guidelines to educate (and gently redirect) clients

  • The importance of ergonomics and real-world movement patterns

  • Why universal design is no longer optional

📌 Chapters with Timestamps:

00:00 – Welcome & Episode Kickoff
01:12 – Why the NKBA Updated the Guidelines
05:40 – How People Really Use Their Kitchens Today
09:18 – The Evolution of the Work Triangle
13:55 – Storage Standards and the “Costco Effect”
18:27 – Appliance Sizing, Clearances & Ventilation
24:10 – Accessibility and Aging-in-Place Updates
31:03 – Design Mistakes That Create Daily Frustrations
36:40 – Using NKBA Guidelines to Educate Clients
41:22 – Why Universal Design = Good Design
45:56 – Final Thoughts from Robin

📌 Resources Mentioned:

  • National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) Guidelines

  • NKBA Accessibility & Universal Design Recommendations

  • Robin Rigby Fisher, CMKBD, CAPS, CLIPP

  • Designers Show archives & training resources

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