Practicality of locating an island or peninsula for kitchen

[Simonraj 1]

Hi all, I am new to renotalk,

I am tinkering with the idea of placing an island or peninsula in the kitchen. This would mean hacking the down the kitchen walls which I am prepared to do.

However, there is an annoying beam which cannot be hacked (see floor plan) thus I am wondering if opening up the kitchen will be practical?

Anyway ideas for the kitchen design or experience to share based on how you have done up your kitchen. 

This is a resale 5-rm hdb flat.

Hope to hear all your ideas :D.