New modular system - IKEA Method Kitchens. One system, thousands of possibilities

IKEA METHOD kitchens are furniture that meets three main principles - versatility, mobility and practicality. This is a construction kit that allows you to independently assemble a kitchen set of any layout and functionality.

Kitchen "Hitarp"

On the official website you can find the modular parts of this system in the section “Cabinets and facades METHOD”. Link to catalog 2020 ‑ https://www.ikea.com/ru/ru/catalog/categories/departments/kitchen/24254/

Catalog section 2020 IKEA with modular kitchens METHOD

A huge advantage of the METHOD system is the availability of a free online designer. Any buyer without special skills in working in such programs can assemble a kitchen by independently choosing the type of cabinet, frame, front panel, etc.

Link to the designer on the IKEA website - https://kitchenplanner.ikea.com/RU/UI/Pages/VPUI.htm

Planning can be done free of charge (subject to further purchase) with a store specialist if you suddenly encounter difficulties.

Pros and cons of shopping at IKEA

We are all very demanding and sometimes even capricious when it comes to service or product range. And this is easy to understand, because everyone wants everything in the apartment to be perfect. But, as the English proverb says, “Nothing is perfect”... And man is designed in such a way that he first of all pays attention to shortcomings.

That's where we'll start. Why? Yes, because there are much fewer advantages, and besides, we intend to prove that this is mostly just nit-picking.

The first argument that can be found quite often is high prices. It is truly amazing, because... The company just became famous thanks to its very budget proposals. Let's look at what is included in the price of a ready-made IKEA kitchen:

All this can be complemented with wall accessories, railings, lighting, kitchen chairs, household appliances, doors, etc. that suit your style. There are even stickers on furniture legs and anti-traumatic corner attachments for children! And if you are concerned about the environment and sort garbage, you can buy 2-3 buckets that fit perfectly in the cabinet.

Plus, judge for yourself - how much time you will spend approximately choosing and purchasing such kitchen equipment separately. Add a couple of hours for transport, a certain number of minutes in line, consultations, and, possibly, the return of unsuitable parts... And time today is the most valuable resource.

Isn’t it more profitable to purchase everything at once, moreover, with a guarantee of complete compliance of all elements with each other? We are sure you will easily cope with the calculations.

The next undeserved accusation is the small selection of colors and shapes. And this is true when it comes to furniture decorated with feathers and inlaid with gold or rhinestones. But for ordinary queries the choice is quite large.

The assortment includes paneled, glass and glossy facades from pastel to fashionable bright colors. Moreover, the IKEA model range is represented by such design directions as:

• classic;
• modern;
• Scandinavian style;
• Provence;
• country.

And for a reason. These are the most popular design styles today, which makes such proposals more than rational. A little later in the article, we will definitely show several photos of examples of modern and classic IKEA kitchen interiors.

And the last quibble is that the materials from which the furniture is made are easily soiled and require maintenance, depending on temperature conditions and humidity. But, you must admit, any material, and especially natural, requires certain care, in the absence of which it may lose its shape. In addition to solid wood, fiberboard and chipboard are used for the production of kitchen facades and furniture frames.

This makes IKEA kitchens a more economical option, but rather an ideal combination of our price and European quality. Find out what other companies offer, and at the same time ask if they have the same modular system, which we will talk about a little later.

What are the advantages of buying kitchens from IKEA?

You can most often hear the following reviews from customers: inexpensive, fast, high quality, convenient, functional, compact. In addition, stylish IKEA kitchens:

• made of high quality and practical materials;
• easy to assemble yourself (+ there are many videos on YouTube);
• easy to repair and replace parts;
• suggest a large selection of combinations of cabinets, numbers and shapes of drawers;
• have a 25-year free manufacturer's warranty;
• have a beautiful appearance and pleasant colors;
• will be delivered as soon as possible;
• can be purchased by paying in installments;
• united by the “Method” modular system, which allows you to arrange furniture for rooms of the most complex layout.

All internal kitchen equipment can be purchased gradually and separately.

Price overview

Compare how the choice of different facades affects the cost of a small IKEA kitchen. Approximately it ranges from 22990

up to
42,990
rubles for a standard combination with a length of 1800 mm as in this picture.
It turns out from 12772
to
23883
rubles. per linear meter (without stove, hood and plumbing).

Data source: official website ikea.ru.
If you haven’t found a suitable option, check out the range of kitchens in the Leroy Merlin catalog. There, too, there is ready-made cheap furniture, as well as more expensive models made to order (including bright modern and traditional ones with solid front panels).

Other manufacturers

Kitchens LUBE

Kitchens Sputnik style

Kitchens Dryad

Factory Stylish Kitchens

Cuisines of Belarus

Modular systems "Factum" and "Method"

The convenience of IKEA furniture lies in the so-called modular system. All elements of the kitchen set can be assembled like a construction set, where everything fits everything. In one composition, you can combine at least all the colors if you wish.

The practicality is that the system offers a wide range of cabinets of different sizes and colors that will make even the tiniest kitchen as functional as possible. IKEA produces systems and equipment taking into account the latest technologies and developments. For example, a faucet that reduces water consumption by 40% without changing the pressure.

You can assemble the headset yourself, following the instructions with a detailed step-by-step guide in Russian. And so that the assembly does not seem too boring, you can involve your children in easy and safe operations.

For example, these photos show several real interiors assembled using this modular principle.

Interesting fact: Until 2020, it was called “Factum”, after which the company made a number of improvements and introduced a fundamentally new system - “Method”.

Key Features:

• base height – 8 cm;
• new types of upper cabinets, although without sliding doors; among them - “Maximera” without legs, 88 cm high;
• black-brown color of the frames (in addition to the already existing white ones) - now the visible part of the furniture does not need to be finished with special panels;
• more than 20 types of facades and 30 types of handles;
• a much larger selection of internal drawers - different in height, depth, with and without a closer;
• drawer sizes – 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 cm;
• the reliability and stability of the cabinets is ensured by galvanized steel frame;
• new cabinet fastening system – steel rail;
• the height of the floor modules is standard – 60 and 80 cm;
• special adjustable legs for floor cabinets.

The colors of the facades remained unchanged, but the names changed.

The bulk of IKEA products bear Swedish, Norwegian or Finnish names - sometimes unpronounceable or sounding like an ancient Druid spell: Lidingo, Brokhult, Sofilund, Fagerland, Tingsrid

And this is not just a set of letters, but words that actually exist in the mentioned languages ​​- women's, men's names, names of rivers, lakes, birds, precious stones, etc. This system of naming products, like the principle of modularity, is a kind of calling card of the brand.

Dimensions of kitchen cabinets for proper organization of space

Cozy kitchen in light colors with elegant furniture, light curtains decorated with floral prints

In the kitchen, all family members look for coziness and comfort. When else can you relax if not while eating? Therefore, the selection of furniture for the kitchen is important, and the selection of furniture elements for the kitchen should be given no less attention than the bedroom set. So, you need to properly organize the space in your kitchen. Before contacting furniture manufacturers with questions, the owners decide for themselves whether standard-sized cabinets are suitable for their kitchen space, or whether they will have to work with a designer and order something individual. There are kitchens that are both too small and large - full-fledged dining rooms. In any case, there is a solution for any room.

Beautiful large white kitchen with comfortable furniture and an island in the center

Standard kitchen sizes are used in factories to reduce the time and cost required to produce furniture. After you have found a company to order furniture, a specially trained person comes, takes all the necessary measurements, and checks what is needed for the project. However, not only the features of the room and layout are taken into account; the choice of kitchen is also influenced by the taste preferences of the owners, the growth of family members, the design of the future interior, and the presence of one or another built-in appliances. Every detail is taken into account, because the kitchen should be convenient to use and provide an aesthetic appearance.

Kitchen-living room, custom made in country style

For those who want to save money when equipping their kitchen, there is such a popular innovative solution as modular systems. In this case, kitchen units are assembled from ready-made cabinets that have standard sizes and parameters. When ordering modular kitchens, a very important point is that each manufacturer has its own step in the production of modules from 5 to 20 cm. So, for example, one factory produces kitchen modules with a width of 45, 60 and 90 cm, and another 40, 80, 120, etc. d. This factor is taken into account when purchasing household appliances and to determine the total length of furniture.

Example of standard cabinet sizes for a modular kitchen

Working triangle rule

The rule of the working triangle in the kitchen, combining the most important areas in the kitchen

However, the above nuances are not all that is needed to properly organize the kitchen space. You also need to use the working triangle rule.

All components of kitchen furniture, from cabinets to sinks, must be arranged based on certain rules of ergonomics, safety and convenience. It’s not for nothing that there is the science of Feng Shui, whose laws are taken into account by many designers. Its principles can be correlated with the rule of the working triangle, and it is easy to explain the arrangement of things in one place or another.

Functional and ergonomic kitchen interior

Main zones in the work triangle:

• surface for cooking in the form of a stove, countertop, microwave oven;
• the area where food is stored for a long time, its elements - freezer, refrigerator;
• “clean” area including kitchen sink and dishwasher.

Many people may find it attractive to install a sink next to the stove, and also to place a refrigerator next to the sink. But this arrangement of equipment is not justified. The refrigerator will become dirty all the time, and grease during the cooking process will splatter the washed dishes. Tap water will flow onto the hot frying pan. This is inconvenient, impractical and unsafe. It is not for nothing that according to Feng Shui, the elements of the elements of fire and water cannot be placed in close proximity to each other.

Typical designs of kitchen sets built using the triangle rule

Appliances that influence the choice of kitchen

Example of built-in appliances for kitchen furniture

To get the most optimal design of kitchen furniture, you need to initially decide which built-in appliances will be used now or a little later.

Built-in technology includes:

- washing machine;

— dishwasher;

- fridge;

- hob and oven, or standard stove, etc.

The designer needs to be warned in advance about the dimensions of the built-in appliances chosen for the kitchen.

Location near the stove and refrigerator in a very small kitchen

Location near the stove and refrigerator is not recommended. Because heating will increase the electrical energy consumption of the refrigerator, which can damage it. The distance from the countertop to the refrigerator should also be thought out, because it often gets splashed during the cooking process, which makes cleaning the kitchen more difficult. A distance of at least 15 cm must be provided between the refrigerator and the countertop.

Don't forget about the hood. It has the following placement standards (from it to the hob):

— for an electric stove 70-75 cm;

- for a gas stove 75-80 cm.

Hood on a gas stove for a bright light green kitchen

As for ovens, to ensure quick, trouble-free opening and closing of the door, it must be installed at a distance of 1 cm from other kitchen cabinets. The oven is installed in a pencil case at eye height. This is necessary to ensure comfortable use and so that children cannot reach it.

Built-in oven at a convenient height

Types of Kitchen Cabinets

Types of kitchen cabinets depending on the type of location

Depending on the type of arrangement of kitchen cabinets, they are divided into:

• floor;
• wall;
• corner.

Floor-standing

Floor cabinets with dimensions

Such kitchen cabinets are placed on the floor, often called cabinets, cabinets, floor units, etc. Legs for placement can be decorative or technical. In the latter case, they are covered with a base. Floor-mounted kitchen cabinets are needed to store heavy and large items and to integrate household appliances into them. The main difference from wall-mounted modules is their depth of 60 cm. In wall-mounted ones it is 30-40 cm. In floor-mounted cabinets the thickness of the tabletop is taken into account.

Convenient floor cabinets with drawers of different sizes in the interior

Wall mounted

Wall kitchen cabinets with dimensions

Wall-mounted kitchen cabinets are fixed to the wall. They are also known under such names as hanging, hanging shelves or modules. Wall-mounted kitchen cabinets are lightweight and smaller in size than floor-mounted ones. Doors can be made of wood or glass, which creates a different visual effect.

Floor and wall cabinets in the interior of a spacious kitchen

Corner

Corner kitchen cabinet with dimensions

These are the most complex kitchen cabinets in terms of design. All calculations and additions to other modules begin with them. Even when installing, furniture makers start with corner kitchen cabinets. In order to somehow understand the project being developed, you need to understand the dimensions of the upper and lower kitchen modules. Since sinks are always placed in corner modules, you need to study the standard sizes of sinks in order to correctly select it to the parameters of the corner kitchen cabinet.

Corner white wall cabinet in the kitchen interior

Lower corner cabinet for the kitchen with convenient built-in storage system

Kitchen cabinet sizes

Dimensional chart of different types of kitchen modules with dimensions

The width, height, depth of wall modules and floor cabinets are considered separately, since there are some differences. This is especially true for depth. Now let's look at kitchen cabinet standards.

Additional for convenient and ergonomic arrangement of appliances, sinks and cabinets

Dimensions of floor kitchen cabinets

Optimal sizes of kitchen furniture and passages in the kitchen

The most optimal height is 850 mm for housewives of average height. In this case, this height is:

• Base 100 mm;
• Module frame (base) – 720 mm;
• Tabletop thickness – 280 mm.

For tall women, the height of the floor cabinets can be increased to 900 mm.

The depth standard has already been written above:

• standard depth of lower kitchen cabinets is 700-900 mm;
• The standard depth of upper kitchen cabinets is 350-450 mm.

Wall cabinet standards

Standard wall cabinets for the kitchen with dimensions

The height of the front façade is 700–900 mm. The length of the hanging elements corresponds to the length of the lower ones. It is important to consider the distance between the bottom of the upper modules and the surface of the countertop below should be at least 450 mm to ensure comfort and convenience when cooking. The most optimal height between the cooking surface and the hood is 750 mm. The height of the drawers in the kitchen is:

• small – 14 cm;
• medium - 28 cm;
• large – 35 cm.

Dimensions of corner kitchen cabinets, standard

• The side walls in corner kitchen cabinets are located parallel to the walls in the kitchen, and both are 600 mm.
• The side walls of the corner modules, which are adjacent to adjacent drawers, are both 315 mm.
• The front part is closed by a door 380 mm wide.
• The rear is about 165 mm.

Standard sizes of kitchen cabinets

The location of the sink and serving surface depending on the height of the kitchen owner

When ordering, standard sizes are more often used. It is important that all the elements are correctly arranged, then even a small kitchen will look impressive and seem more spacious than it is. If you do not take into account the basic rules, then the kitchen space will resemble an ordinary room with all sorts of clutter. If you take into account the standard sizes of the modules, you can easily assemble a comfortable and practical kitchen.

Dimensions of functional furniture placement with the necessary visibility area and access to individual kitchen elements

Video: standard sizes of kitchen furniture

berkem.ru

IKEA assortment

It is truly huge, so we will focus only on a few relatively new model ranges, because you can find everything else in the IKEA catalog if you wish. Here's a small table for reference:

Budbin

Cute Budbin kitchens are the most popular IKEA series. They involve a large number of components, which makes it easy to adjust the degree of filling of the kitchen space. Paneled or glass facades made of chipboard or MDF are coated with a special varnish.

A white or gray set will suit many styles - Provence, classic, country, loft, shabby chic, art deco, etc. Light shades in combination with natural wood will help decorate a kitchen in a Scandinavian style. If the interior seems too monochromatic and nondescript to you, complement it with brighter curtains and textiles, which are also available in the IKEA catalog.

For example, the photo below shows several options for a ready-made IKEA kitchen.

Rich colors look great against black facades. But, if the kitchen is small, there should be little of this color, because... it tends to “eat up” space.

Just one “but” - furniture surfaces should never be cleaned with chemicals and abrasives. Some people recommend using “Mr. Muscle” for glass, while others recommend just a well-wrung out rag, after which you need to wipe everything dry.

Dalarna

Being a supporter of the above-mentioned styles and preferring natural wood, pay attention to the new series of Dalarna facades. The furniture is made of solid birch, covered with protective stain and varnish. The model range is represented by cabinets, countertops, shelves, front and overhead panels that hide household appliances, glazed and wooden doors and plinths.

The colors offered are universal - white and black-brown. Such furniture will provide sophistication and naturalness to a kitchen decorated in both classic and modern styles. The following photos show compact interiors with spectacular facades made of darkened glass. The classic “Laksarbi” series is also partially made of solid birch.

Ready-made kitchens

The Knokhult series is considered one of the most popular and comfortable furniture on the market. There are three colors to choose from: gray facade, white and wood-like facade. Special sections made of DPS come complete with a laminated tabletop, hinges and legs.

Assembly can be done either from separate modules or complete sets. Their price ranges from 12 to 32 thousand.

If the ready-made set does not suit you, and you have your own ideas, you can select the necessary components yourself from the existing blocks of the Knokhult series.

Overbu

The latest, affordable range of wall and floor cabinets features a huge selection of sizes and removable shelves. Straight facades are made of laminated MDF and chipboard and coated with polyester paints or varnishes. One-, two-color, bright, wood-look, etc. inexpensive facades and Overbu cabinets will organically fit into any style direction.

They can be complemented with all kinds of accessories - curtains, tablecloths, curly handles. Modern furniture from this series is devoid of pomposity and will look great in an apartment or country house. The disadvantages of Overbu include the lack of a closer and sensitivity to moisture. All surfaces that come into contact with water should be wiped dry.

Hitarp

Shabby chic, Provence, country, classic, retro - lovers of these trends will be pleased with the simple and functional “Hitarp” series, which has already become a sales favorite. Its advantage is a new convenient system for attaching wall cabinets.

Simple lines, panels and glass inserts on the facades and charming “antique” wall cabinets, as if made by hand, will provide a comfortable and calm interior. Light shades and vertical stripes tend to expand and stretch the space, so the series is suitable for both spacious and small kitchens.

The material used is chipboard or fibreboard, coated with acrylic and polyester paint; the glass is made using tempering technology. The monotony of the white kitchen interior provides endless opportunities for creativity and flight of fancy.

There is one more tricky design maneuver. The fact is that the composition and design of the Hitarp series is similar to the headsets of the Filipstad, Budbin, Kallarp, ​​Albru and Knoxkhult series. Therefore, some elements - table top, handles, etc. can be borrowed from them.

Thanks to the modular system, you can easily combine different colors of the facades, make a black top, white bottom, or complement a bright red corner set with black horizontal surfaces.

Color solutions

Basically, IKEA products are represented by restrained colors - shades of white, gray, beige, light green, light blue and wood brown. But there are also more modern colors - bright red, metallic, yellow, etc. As you can see, they can be combined.

A white kitchen looks elegant and visually seems to expand the walls, which is very important for small spaces, for example, in a Khrushchev-era building. But be careful: if you buy a new white kitchen to replace an old one of the same color, it may feel like nothing has changed. Neither a different shape of kitchen facades nor new handles will affect the situation.

Consider an option with a wooden tabletop, which will dilute the boring color scheme. Look how compact and at the same time quite pleasant the interior of a small kitchen from IKEA can be. White facades will be decorated with beige furniture handles, as well as exactly the opposite. Take a look at the photo - how this, at first glance, insignificant element changes the overall impression.

A contrasting black and white kitchen cannot be called retro, but it also cannot be classified as modern. Here everything will be determined by the colors of the walls, apron, textiles and accessories. What do you think about the black and white checkerboard floor?

A gray kitchen is the height of elegance and practicality, because it is not as easily soiled as white, and not as gloomy as black. In addition, gray is in fashion today, which puts the Budbin kitchen among the current solutions for interior design. The tabletop and work surfaces can be wooden, white or black - depending on your preferences. Glass can be transparent or tinted.

The black-brown color of the facades is appropriate in spacious rooms with a lot of light. Snow-white or bright walls, a patterned or colored kitchen apron, kitchen chairs, countertops and other horizontal planes in pastel colors and, of course, light shades of wood will help to dilute the excess darkness.

If you get tired of the color of the facades, you can always change it to any other - of course, available in the range.

In addition to colors, an important determinant of the atmosphere is the convenient location of the kitchen modules, which is especially important in small-sized kitchens.

Decor

After organizing storage, you should move on to decorating issues.

Tablecloth “Vardagen”, 1,299 rubles

IKEA

IKEA

Scandinavians really value everything natural and natural, so textiles in the kitchen should be made of linen or cotton. “Vardagen” combines both soft cotton and textured linen. Due to its discreet color, a typical northern tablecloth will be a good basis for an interesting and contrasting table setting.

Alstrad tray, 899 rubles

IKEA

To add a little more wood to your kitchen and set the table beautifully, you can use a solid mango tray. Plain white, simple mugs and freshly baked gingerbread cookies look good on it - the perfect set for cozy evenings. It can also be used as a storage element, for example, to place spices or cups on it - decorative elements in a small Scandinavian kitchen always perform some kind of functional role.

• Apartment

  How to create a Scandinavian interior that won’t get lost among others: 5 relevant tips

Serving bowl “Blanda Matt”, RUB 1,499

IKEA

IKEA

IKEA

Scandi involves a fairly thorough elaboration of details, especially in a small area. It is best to set the table using dishes that will match the furniture and decor around. Try using deep bamboo serving bowls.

Layout options

There's essentially nothing new here. “Ikea” kitchens are suitable for any of the existing types of furniture placement:

• Linear - modules are located on the same line along the wall;
• L-shaped (angular);
• U-shaped;
• two-line (parallel);
• with an island or peninsula.

For greater clarity, here are a couple of photos of a corner gray IKEA kitchen. And this is what a kitchen island looks like.

It is believed that the first two methods are suitable for small kitchens, but with proper organization of space this opinion is easily refuted. An example of this is a small kitchen with a bar counter that acts as a small island. If the module located in the middle of the kitchen is equipped with internal drawers, it can free up space on the walls. And, as you know, a wall-mounted set weighs down the room.

When arranging the necessary modules, apply the working triangle rule, i.e. Place everything you need for cooking as close to the work surface as possible. Think about the route you will take, what equipment you will need, whether it can be put away in a drawer and whether it will be tiresome to get it out every time.

There is also the concept of a drying-washing triangle, the essence of which is not difficult to guess. The smaller the kitchen, the more rationally you need to manage the space - use a vertical space, a place under the sink or above the hood, which is also difficult for children to reach. It is very convenient that the online layout is available on the Russian-language IKEA website, and all you need is to specify the correct dimensions.

Additional Tips

1. Accurate measurements of the room are the key to a successful result. You need to measure not just the width and height of the kitchen, but also the space occupied by drainage, gas, ventilation and other pipes. Not sure you can handle it? Ask for help - for example, the same IKEA specialists.

When looking at your kitchen design, mentally pull out each drawer and make sure there is nothing blocking it. Open all the drawers and cabinets at the same time, then open the window, wall cabinets, all for the same purpose. Imagine in detail how you cook, what trajectory you follow and what you take out.

2. If you do not assemble the kitchen yourself and contact an IKEA employee, he, like other craftsmen, will set a separate price for each type of work. Be prepared for this and clarify in advance how much a particular service costs.

3. You can gain space by using the depth of the cabinets. The deeper they are, the more space they take up. Do you use everything in the cabinet? Perhaps a couple of extra shelves would make a difference?

If the wall set is deep, but you don’t know what size to choose, be guided by your height and, strange as it may sound, the length of your arms. Stand on tiptoes in front of the wall, stretch out your arms, imagining that you want to get something out of the closet. Make the necessary marks on the same wall.

4. When purchasing furniture from certain materials, ask about their characteristics. This is important because some of them are not designed for high heat on the stove or constant exposure to moisture. Natural wood requires a certain level of humidity.

5. They say that habit is second nature. If previously the kitchen furniture had round handles, but now you intend to abandon them or choose a different model, think carefully. Will this really be convenient for you?

6. Before purchasing, read the reviews, or even better, look at the buyers’ photos. This way you will receive the most accurate information, and most importantly, make sure of its truthfulness.

This concludes our short excursion. We are sure that you will like the new IKEA kitchen design, and that what you read will be useful and informative. We wish you a quick, inexpensive and magnificent interior renovation and endless inspiration for new creative combinations!

How to choose (scheduler, simulation)

A special website of this company will help you save time when ordering furniture from Ikea, where you can familiarize yourself in detail with the ordering procedure and purchase furniture in a short time. Further actions:

• We select the headset model we like from the existing catalog, which also suits the price;
• using the step-by-step instructions posted on the website, we measure the room (this can be done independently, without resorting to the services of a specialist);
• there is a special planner form on the website where all measurement results are entered, after which you can begin modeling and planning (you can model it yourself) using an online design program;

Ikea shopping centers also have a planning area for shoppers, where they can use a computer and advice from a consultant.

You can plan a modern kitchen using a planner

Upon completion of the layout, Ikea offers to supplement the set with household appliances and various accessories. This allows you to better plan the kitchen, which will look more harmonious, since additional nuances are developed by designers who also work on the set itself.

After the order is formed and paid, the buyer receives a set of all kitchen elements. The company took good care of its customers by creating special instructions for assembling IKEA furniture, which allow you to assemble the set yourself (although you can also use the services of an assembler).

If the instructions seem too complicated, do not immediately call an assembler. You can try to understand the installation by watching a special video on the Internet, which shows a detailed installation process for all elements of the headset.

How to choose an Ikea kitchen: