# LDD-20 · Primary Social Counter

> **Status:** 🟡 LOCKED geometry — system performance tied to LDD-07 risk.

## One-line intent

A performance-driven social system — not a kitchen island, an event surface for shared cooking.

## Why this matters

The social counter is the most-used surface in the building and the most-photographed. Its success is the difference between "we hang out in the kitchen all night" and "we use the dining room because the island is awkward." The zoning + ventilation strategy is ambitious.

## Locked decisions

**Configuration**

| Dim | Value |
|---|---|
| Length | ~14' |
| Depth | ~42" (deeper than typical 24–36") |
| Height | ~36" (standard counter height) |

**Three-zone zoning**

| Zone | Function |
|---|---|
| Left | Clean, visual connection to gym |
| Center | Korean BBQ — main feature |
| Right | Induction support cooking |

**Ventilation**

- Lowered intake plane at ~8'6" AFF (via the recessed ceiling capture field, LDD-07)
- Updraft air curtain integrated at counter front (cook/guest boundary)
- Inline blower located near east exterior wall

**Seam strategy**

- Material seams only at zone boundaries
- **Never through the center** (the visual focal zone must be unbroken)

## Open items / requires engineer review

- **Top material** — solid surface (Corian, Caesarstone), heat-resistant stone (granite, soapstone), or stainless steel insert at the Korean BBQ zone?
- **Korean BBQ surface** — flush-mounted removable plate? Built-in pop-up grill? Affects seam location and cooktop integration.
- **Induction cooktop spec** — single bridge-zone full-surface (per LDD-07 east zone) vs traditional 4-burner.
- **Counter overhang** — how much for seating? 12" min; 15–18" for comfortable bar seating.
- **Seating + stool spec** — 36" counter = standard counter-height stool (24"–26" seat); not bar-height (28"–30").
- **Storage below** — cabinets, drawers, dishwasher integration, knee space at seating side.
- **Power at counter** — outlets every 24–48" on the cook side; possibly USB-C at seating side.
- **Water at counter** — prep sink, or all water at the perimeter kitchen?

## Cross-references

- → [LDD-07 cooking ventilation](07-cooking-ventilation.md) — air curtain + ceiling capture system depends on counter geometry.
- → [LDD-18 interior materials](18-interior-materials.md) — counter is the highest-touch surface.
- → [LDD-08 lighting](08-lighting-framework.md) — central diffused light panel above counter ties cooktop + lighting + capture into one feature.
- → [LDD-24 flooring](24-flooring.md) — floor under island is SPC LVP per zone allocation; verify load capacity for the counter base.

## Cost drivers

- **Counter top material**: stone or solid surface at 14' × 42" ≈ 50 sqft × $100–250/sqft = $5–12.5K.
- **Cabinetry base + custom fabrication**: $12–28K.
- **Korean BBQ cooktop / induction unit**: $4–10K + removable plates $0.5–1.5K.
- **Bridge-zone induction or 4-burner**: $3–8K.
- **Counter electrical + plumbing if prep sink**: $1.5–4K.
- **Air curtain hardware** (counter-integrated): part of LDD-07 vent system, $2–4K.

**Likely-case rollup: $25–55K for the counter + cooktop + integration.** Folded into "Kitchen $95K" in waterfall.

## Air-gap concerns

1. **Counter system performance depends on LDD-07 island vent working.** If the vent underperforms (a known risk), the social counter becomes the kitchen people abandon during Korean BBQ. The two LDDs are interlocked — solving the vent is solving the counter.
2. **42" depth is generous and means top material cost ~17% higher than 36" depth.** Worth it for the social use case, but budget accordingly.
3. **Seam discipline ("never through center") + 14' length.** Most slab stones cap at 9–10' run. To go 14' without a center seam, you need either:
   - A jumbo slab (limited stone selection, $$$)
   - A solid surface material (Corian/Caesarstone, available in 12.5'+ slabs, more affordable)
   - Stainless steel (welded seamless, but cold)
   The LDD doesn't pick — pick now.
4. **Counter overhang structural support.** A 15–18" overhang on a 42" counter creates a moment; if no brackets visible (per minimalist intent), the substrate must be engineered (steel plate, hidden brackets). Coordinate with cabinet shop.
5. **Outlet placement on cook side may conflict with air curtain slot.** The slot is at the counter front edge; outlets typically are at backsplash. Coordinate.
6. **Korean BBQ requires high heat extraction.** Even with the LDD-07 system, expect the counter top right around the Korean BBQ plate to get hot — material chosen must tolerate cyclic 200°F+ surface temps. Engineered stones can crack at <250°F differentials; soapstone or stainless tolerate it; some quartz brands void warranty above 150°F.

## Diagram

![Island cooking section showing counter, air curtain, ceiling capture field](../../diagrams/11-island-cooking-section.svg)

## Status

🟡 **Yellow — geometry locked, top material + vent integration are the two big remaining decisions.** Pick material that survives Korean BBQ heat and resolve the LDD-07 vent before locking the counter spec.