Freshome.com - Interior Design & Architecture Newsletter |  |
- What is the Future of Kitchen Technology ?
- Twin Modern Homes in Australia Facing the Sydney Harbour
- Modern Duch Cabin Camouflaged by an Artificial Hill
- Tribute to Dematerialization: Legnoquadro Table by Hangar Design Group
- Low Energy Waldblick Residence by Atelier ST
- Deeply Embedded In The Green Landscape : OUTrial House
- Calling All Talented Freshome Readers. We Have a Challenge for You!
- Hillside Modern Residence with Ocean Views: Villa Avenstar
| What is the Future of Kitchen Technology ? Posted: 01 Mar 2012 04:42 AM PST
The role of the kitchen in our homes has changed dramatically over the years. What used to be a space simply used for food preparation has now become the hub of the home. Today, cooking is accompanied by a greater variety of activities such as entertaining, socialising, dining, working, laundry etc. As our use of the kitchen has changed, the technology that is used within it has had to adapt to meet our needs. Nobody knows what the kitchen of the future will look like but with each new technological advancement the realms of possibility are extended ever further. In order to find out what exactly we can expect to see in terms of technology in the kitchen appliances of the future Freshome spoke to Stefano Marzano, the newly appointed Chief Design Officer at Electrolux, one of the global leaders in home appliances and appliances for professional use.
Household appliances have come a long way in recent years. What developments would you say have been the most game-changing and why? SM. If I was to single out one, I would say the increased interest in sustainability. Sustainable design focuses on creating products with the least possible negative impact on the environment, featuring eco-sound materials, energy efficiency and easy recycling. The future of sustainable design is a culmination of what consumers see on the surface of a product, and how the product enables them to make a change for the better.
What are the main issues that are currently driving innovation in household appliances? SM. In addition to sustainability, changed lifestyles are also one of the driving factors. More people live in cities and in less space; there are more single households, people travel and get inspiration from all over the world, and they also might have less time. The kitchen has become the heart of the home for socialising and entertainment. The appliances need to be functional and easy to use. This is one of the drivers for developing today's smart and connectable appliances. Another important driver is the increased interest in cooking. Many want to be chefs in their home. Therefore they also want some of the technologies that professional chefs use. Electrolux is unique in having a leading position both in the consumer and professional segment. In our innovation process we put a lot of effort into transferring some of the technologies and knowledge between these segments.
As you said, sustainability and energy efficiency have been high on the agenda for some years now. To what extent will the next generation of appliances go beyond this and what kinds of innovations can we expect to see in the next few years? SM. I think we will see even more energy and water efficient appliances. These will also increasingly have to be manufactured in a way that minimizes air pollution. The air and water at home and in public spaces in many regions need to be cleaned and purified for use and consumption and this might have implications for future developments. Moreover there will be increased focus on recycled materials. Future appliances will also continue to be more silent, which is also an environmental issue.
Most appliance manufacturers are already working on a new generation of household appliances. What progress is Electrolux making in this arena and are there any exciting developments that we can expect to see from you in the near future? SM. Electrolux has a many exciting and innovative products in the pipeline. And more is to come. Electrolux now has the structure for what we call the "Innovation triangle". This enables R&D, Marketing and Design functions to work in synergy during the entire creation process, and with an even clearer focus on the customers and consumers. Key to Electrolux's strategy is the ongoing development of innovative and thoughtfully designed solutions based on end user insights. Now Electrolux will be able to take more relevant and innovative solutions to the market at a faster pace.
The connected home was a big topic at the recent Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. However, the idea of internet-enabled home appliances has been around for a while in predictions concerning the home of the future. Is this future now becoming a reality? SM. When this idea was initially brought up I think it was technology driven rather than consumer driven. The technology existed but it was not relevant to the consumer to connect the oven or fridge to the net. Since then, much has happened. Now we have smart phones and are connected online with our friends 24/7. When physically together with our friends and families, we most often meet in the kitchen. The time might be ready for internet-enabled appliances, and there are examples of this already happening.
What effect will the development of Smart Grid technology have on our household appliances? SM. Smart Grids reduce the environmental impact of the whole electricity supply system by avoiding peak period demand and decreasing reliance on backup power from carbon and diesel power plants. In this way, smart grids reduce carbon emissions and improve energy efficiency. For the customer, Smart Grids will also provide opportunities for local monitoring and remote connections. They can have anything from new recipes, programme updates and software debugging to the possibility of remote diagnoses and customer service. Electrolux is already involved in Smart Grid technology in a number of European countries including Sweden. Intelligent appliances are becoming more common as we see increasing numbers of products on the market that are reactive and adaptive to human behaviour (such as TV systems that can recommend programmes you might like based on your viewing habits etc). Do you think we will see the same developments in household appliances? SM. We see that development already. For example, the user of an Electrolux Inspiro oven only has to load in the content and push a button. It then calculates the precise combination of energy consumption and time needed to bring the food to the correct temperature. It also chooses the cooking mode or combination of modes needed and specifies the proper rack for the content.
Every year Electrolux runs a global design competition open to undergraduate and graduate industrial design students who are invited to present innovative ideas for household appliances of the future. Have you come across any designs that you think could, or will, make it into production? SM. In Electrolux Design Lab we are presented with many fantastic solutions from all over the world every year. Some of the designs have been an inspiration to us when taking products to market. As long as the solutions are relevant to consumers, some of the products may definitely end up on the market.
The 2010 edition of the Electrolux Design Lab competition focused on creative solutions for compact living. As you mentioned, populations are growing and houses are getting increasingly smaller, so what effect will this have on home appliances? SM. With urbanization, growing populations and smaller spaces in our homes, the appliances need to be even more efficient in size and performance. In Japan for example, where living space is limited, Electrolux recently launched a vacuum cleaner that has similar performance to our vacuum cleaners in other parts of the world, but at the same time it is particularly small in size.
The brief for Electrolux Design Lab 2012 challenges design students to draw inspiration from professional experience creators – such as chefs, architects, interior designers, hotel designers – to design home appliances that will provide a fuller sensory experience. Can you explain this? SM. Chefs and creators use our appliances to achieve an even more fulfilling end product– a total gastronomic experience. The end result has to be perfect in so many aspects that they have to visualise before starting. They don't have any construction plan to get there, but have to go entirely on their feeling and experience. That way, I think chefs are the complete designers. Therefore designers not only must understand them. We can also get a lot of inspiration from them and we want design students entering Electrolux Design Lab to do just that – create home appliance designs that will provide a fuller sensory experience. The Cube by Electrolux is an excellent example of this. Here, the 'tools' provided by Electrolux allow the chefs to create the best possible experience for the guests.
What developments would you personally most like to see when it comes to household appliances? SM. As I am very interested in cooking and fascinated by Electrolux's strong connections to chefs, I am at the moment spending a lot of time exploring the interface between appliance design and the culinary world. I hope to see even more professional technologies used in consumer products. I want kitchen appliances to be tools for the full food experience – not only taste, but also smell, sound, and aesthetics. Below is a short animation showing the Electrolux Heart of the Home kitchen concept. It is a thought provoking vision of the kitchen of the future – an integrated solution functioning as a kitchen table, cooking surface and bar all in one. Freshome would like to thank Stefano Marzano for taking time out of his schedule to share his vision of the kitchen technology of the future with us. We would like to know what you would like to see in the kitchen of the future as far as household appliances are concerned. Please leave us a comment below and share your vision with us. You're reading What is the Future of Kitchen Technology ? originally posted on Freshome. If you've enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Freshome on Twitter, Facebook and Google+ |
| Twin Modern Homes in Australia Facing the Sydney Harbour Posted: 01 Mar 2012 03:41 AM PST
For today we decided to share an interesting residential project located in Dover Heights, Sydney and envisioned by MPR Design Group. Entitled Portland Street Duplex, the architecture approach in this case consists of two buildings, each structured on two levels. With balconies and terraces that take advantage of the wide views of the city and harbour, openness becomes a strong feature of the architects’ work. Each of the “twin houses” accommodates the highest living standards and design just comes to increase the comfort level. The focal point is an open plan living and dining area, accommodating a sophisticated sofa set, a table encircled by white leather armchairs for twelve and state-of-the-art kitchen utilities. With floor to ceiling windows and a contemporary lighting schemes, all the furniture elements seem put on display. Like what you see? [Photography by Karl Beath]
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| Modern Duch Cabin Camouflaged by an Artificial Hill Posted: 01 Mar 2012 02:30 AM PST
This modern Dutch cabin was designed by studio Denieuwegeneratie and is located in a nature reserve, on a historical agricultural plot. The architecture solution for this project was to create an artificial hill and camouflage the residence, while minimizing disturbance on the environment. Here is more on the structure of the cabin from the architects: “The spatial structure of the house is a rectangular 12 x 19 meter open space. Steel cross the entire 12 meter width allowing great flexibility to the interior arrangement. Inside the hall-like space, the rooms are stacked in a disorderly manner and built out of light wooden structures, facilitating easy implementation of possible future changes. The interior can evolve along with its inhabitants, a young family, rooms being added or removed through time”. Secluded, energy-efficient and minimalist- find the mix interesting in this particular case? You're reading Modern Duch Cabin Camouflaged by an Artificial Hill originally posted on Freshome. If you've enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Freshome on Twitter, Facebook and Google+ |
| Tribute to Dematerialization: Legnoquadro Table by Hangar Design Group Posted: 01 Mar 2012 01:27 AM PST
We received an original table project designed by Hangar Design Group for company Horm, entitled “Legnoquadro “. Here is the press release we were sent: “The clean forms and basic features of wood converge were taken advantage of to create an item that merges aesthetics and functionality. The initial idea centered on a furnishing accessory that would fit into various domestic environments, charging them with personality. Legnoquadro is a piece of furniture created through the philosophy of dematerialization, the thought of deconstruction that, by subtracting the material essence, becomes the true protagonist of the project. An ultra light, excavated core, a rhythmic cube built with same-sized, square-based pieces that differ in height. The geometrical composure of the top is made of various wood types in contrasting shades. The model's functional, innovative features lie in the cavity that conceals wiring devices, while the overall harmony of empty and full spaces is ensured by a subtle balance between fragmentation and compactness; a sort of wooden puzzle contributing towards its purpose”. Find this piece as appealing as we do?
You're reading Tribute to Dematerialization: Legnoquadro Table by Hangar Design Group originally posted on Freshome. If you've enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Freshome on Twitter, Facebook and Google+ |
| Low Energy Waldblick Residence by Atelier ST Posted: 01 Mar 2012 12:09 AM PST
Displaying a rectangular wood-covered architecture, the Waldblick Residence (meaning “forest view”) is an independent structure rising from the green surroundings, reaching for the skies with its imposing clean lines. Larch wood profiles cover the exterior facade of the Waldblick Residence, ensuring that the house displays a contemporary, durable design. The low energy home on the outskirts of Lucka, Germany, provides necessary heat and hot water thanks to the solar panels mounted on the south roof.
On this side of the house, the lower floor seems carved into the volume to define where the living space ends and the garage begins. Designed by Atelier ST, the 168 square meters of interior living space were split into entertaining and private spaces, all modern and inviting. Deliberately changing from high ceilings to low-cut galleries and function areas, the architects created a set of complex spatial relationships that create a dynamic interior and add charm to each space by the use of bold and natural colors.
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| Deeply Embedded In The Green Landscape : OUTrial House Posted: 29 Feb 2012 09:22 AM PST
Located in a green landscape flanked by trees on all sides, the OUTrial House has some defining features that make the 1,937 square foot residential structure seem part of the landscape. In order to keep the surroundings as natural as possible, Polish architects from KWK Promes “raised” a carved part of the grassy property up to act as the roof, creating a continuation of nature around and on top of the house. Some new tasks were given to the architects after starting the project and they changed the arrangement quite a bit: “When the whole was ready, the client came up with another request, to create some space for a small recording studio and a conservatory. The latter was obtained by linking the ground floor with the grassy roof through an "incision" in the green plane and "bending" the incised fragment down, inside the building. This procedure turned the roof into an atrium, as the only way to reach it was through the interior of the house.
As opposed, however, to a typical atrium, the newly-created space has all the advantages of an outer garden while remaining a safe, internal zone within the building. This way, a new type of house was created, and its designation – outrial – is to convey the idea of an atypical atrium which is part of both the interior and the exterior of the building. The studio was created in a similar way as the conservatory, but in order to ensure work comfort for a rock musician, it was isolated from the rest of the house by shifting it upwards.” The interiors were flooded with natural light bouncing off the green landscape and the interiors were designed to contrast with the grass-covered outdoor staircase and front entrance. A luxurious mixture of natural and man-made create a comfortable, welcoming atmosphere.
You're reading Deeply Embedded In The Green Landscape : OUTrial House originally posted on Freshome. If you've enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Freshome on Twitter, Facebook and Google+ |
| Calling All Talented Freshome Readers. We Have a Challenge for You! Posted: 29 Feb 2012 08:22 AM PST
It’s time to breathe life back into your home and maybe even win a little shopping spree while you’re at it. The Zinc Door Spring Color Design Contest on Olioboard is all about bold hues, happy spaces and looking forward to what the new year has to offer. Now is as good a time as any to start your spring makeover. If you are not familiar with Olioboard.com, it is a interior design moodboard creator where members can create 2D or 3D room designs to get a feel for a space. You can source products, save items, upload your own images, create moodboard designs and shop all in one spot. To make things more clear about what Oliboard is here’s a look at two room designs created by Olioboard’s talented community members.
It’s incredibly easy and fun to use so enter the contest and give it a go. Create a moodboard design depicting your ideal spring space and make sure to include at least 5 Zinc Door products for your entry to be eligible to win. Both myself and our good friend Jaime Derringer, the founder and editor of Design Milk, will be judging the contest and we’re looking forward to seeing all the amazing designs created by our talented readers. The Contest will run until March 19th. Don't forget to vote daily for your favourite boards and be sure to share them on facebook and twitter to encourage others to vote. On March 19th the voting will stop and the top 25 voted boards will be put in front of Jaime and myself to decide the winning three. Good Luck to all of you. We can't wait to see what you come up with. Have Fun! You're reading Calling All Talented Freshome Readers. We Have a Challenge for You! originally posted on Freshome. If you've enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Freshome on Twitter, Facebook and Google+ |
| Hillside Modern Residence with Ocean Views: Villa Avenstar Posted: 29 Feb 2012 07:23 AM PST
Perched on a hillside in Saint Barts, this contemporary villa stands out due ti its generous heated infinity pool, water-fall stone garden and mesmerizing ocean views. With enough space for a large family, Villa Avenstar is structured on three levels and accommodates five bedrooms. Here is more from the official project description: “The villa's hub is on the second and main level, whose open floor plan encompasses a large living room with home cinema, a dining area, a well-equipped gourmet kitchen and a guest bath. The pool and as a spacious terrace for sunning, relaxing and alfresco dining are also on this level; a second very large deck is on the lower level making Avenstar the perfect venue for hosting a wedding or other special event. There is a beautiful master bedroom with bath en suite and showers for two on both the first and second levels. The lower level has three bedrooms; two being large king bedrooms with baths en suite and one bedroom for the children with two double beds and an en suite bath“. If the photos below don’t provide enough inspiration, renting the villa is also possible, at costs ranging from $25,070 to $35,070 per week. You're reading Hillside Modern Residence with Ocean Views: Villa Avenstar originally posted on Freshome. If you've enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Freshome on Twitter, Facebook and Google+ |
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