Your architect was right, if you want to prep on the island. It's more efficient to have the prep space parallel to the range, and you get the nice view while you prep. In this layout, prep and clean-up zones have separate aisles, making it easier for a helper to load or unload the DW, or to gather dishes to set the table. I put dish storage in drawers in the island, opening toward the sink. The entry does not pass through the pantry, and the prep sink is convenient to the back door.

In the other layout, you'll always be walking around the end of the island, from the fridge and to the range, and prep and clean-up share the same aisle. At 15' wide, you have space for a generous aisle, so that might not be a big deal, even when you have a helper loading or unloading the DW as you're prepping. If you keep the island in this orientation, I'd suggest putting the prep sink on the left side of the island, so that you can scoop and drop prepped items on the range.

If you centered the sink on the window, and made the cabinet next to the DW a bit wider, you could store dishes near the dining table. Just noticed the measurements for the kitchen--how is the kitchen 17' wide, and the DR 15' wide? They look the same width to me.

Agree with Mama about the original layout being the best. Your guests can still look to the right to see out the window and if you want, you can always put a window on either side of the cooktop if the views there are also good.

I like the original positioning of the island. In my house the island seating is like that. I find people sit at the island to chat with the chef. No one sits at the island when they are alone in the kitchen, they sit there to socialize. When my kids were young they would sit there while I made their breakfast, or hang there and chat after school while I started dinner. Now it’s just my husband and I, and I sit at the island and help with back up prep and chat while he is busy between the cooktop and the prep space.

When we want to enjoy the view we go sit at the actual table which is just about where yours is shown in the layout.

How will the island be used most?

1. One person prepping meals (original island is best)

2. One person prepping meals with one or two people hanging out at the island (original island is best for the cook, and one or two persons sitting on the left side of the island, facing the view)

3. One person prepping, 3 or more people at the island (looking at the view, not visiting with the cook or each other) (rotated island is better for guests, worse for cook)

4. 3 or more people at the island without any cooking going on, enjoying the view (rotated island is better)

There may be other possibilities, but you get the idea. It seems to me that the case of multiple people sitting at the island to look out the window will be the exception rather than the rule. Multiple people are more likely to be visiting; if gazing at the view is the primary activity, there are better places to do it, as Annette pointed out. While I appreciate your consideration of people other than the cook in your kitchen, it does not make sense to reduce the functionality of the kitchen every day for those exceptional situations.

The original will be much more efficient to cook in, and the prep sink feels odd when the island gets turned. In the original orientation, there’s more prep space next to it. If you’re avid cooks, I would optimize for that rather than the view.

You all are amazing. Thank you for all of the comments, and especially for taking the time to sketch up alternatives. We definitely see the point about the original island layout being best for cooking, and that that should be more important than the view for the people at the island. View to North isn't great at the moment (not sure what landscaping will bring in future), but I still like the idea of having those windows on either side of the hood. More natural light is always good.

And, good catch on the dimensions, Mama Goose... sound like one didn't get changed when we tweaked the design. We are meeting with our architect today and will mention it so it gets fixed.

When we get a modified design, I will post it again. Thanks!

K Richardson, something else to consider--if you decide to place the island in the east/west orientation, it looks as if you have plenty of space to pull the counters on the fridge/range wall out a few inches. That move will increase counter space on that run, and it would allow you to use a full-depth fridge, which will provide more storage, and is usually less expensive than counter-depth models. Good luck!

GW discussions--deeper counters

GW discussions--deeper cabinets