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Daniel Bowler | COMMENT AND OPINION OPINION


DANIEL BOWLER


With open-plan living extending the boundaries of the kitchen, Daniel Bowler, director of Eggersmann UK, believes designers need to step up and push beyond the limits of conventional thinking


Where is the innovation? T


We are witnessing a lack of innovation within the industry in favour of manufacturers ‘playing it safe’


That is not to say that the industry has not witnessed innovation at all, and in particular in terms of technology. Kitchens are becoming smarter, with boiling water taps, refrigerators that order your groceries for you and ovens that can be controlled remotely via an app all being embraced by consumers. And it’s not just the technology in the kitchen, either. The way kitchens are designed is also constantly evolving and designers are embracing new ideas in software, such as 4D technology, which enables consumers to step into their dream space and changes the way kitchens are bought and planned.


Use of materials in the kitchen has also witnessed a shift. The trend towards natural materials and kitchen designs with an industrial edge has seen the introduction of finishes including concrete, aluminium, solid brass and steel, and with much success in many cases. The reason for the growing popularity of such innovations? They appeal to our modern lifestyles, and so it makes sense that kitchen design overall should follow suit. A wander through the


halls of any European or


international trade fair will unearth evolution and personality down every aisle. No doubt this is due in part to manufacturers all vying for the attention of visitors and outdoing each other with the most elaborate show- stoppers. But somehow the flamboyance that makes such exhibitions so inspirational never really seems to make its way from the exhibition hall through to the retail


here is much to be said for never getting too complacent or for being afraid to branch out and offer something a little different from the norm, particularly in regard to kitchen design. The way people live and the way we use our kitchens is continually evolving, so it makes good sense for kitchen design to evolve, too. Despite this, we are currently witnessing a lack of innovation within the industry in favour of manufacturers ‘playing it safe’ and a tendency to keep to what they know, rather than sticking their necks out to offer consumers what they are really looking for. In many cases, that means a kitchen design that goes against the grain, that is bold in its difference and that is innovative by its very nature.


showroom or beyond. We see this as very much a missed opportunity. Innovation in design, as witnessed in terms of technology in the kitchen, gives retailers and their customers a talking point – a chance to offer inspiration and to deliver kitchens that appeal to our modern lifestyles. In particular, there is a lack of innovation in terms of the kitchen cabinetry, something that is somewhat surprising given the huge opportunities presented to designers with the continuing shift towards open-plan kitchen and living spaces. As kitchens become increasingly integrated into our living spaces, they are evolving into multifunctional areas, where not just food preparation takes place, but also day-to-day living. This, coupled with the shift towards home cooking and the consumer desire for kitchen design with a professional, industrial-style edge, means that how kitchens are designed and laid out needs to be carefully considered. Creating a space that works for open-plan living is


key and, with this, the need for storage solutions that go beyond the basic cabinet is growing.


This kitchen is the heart of the home, so well thought- out design elements should create a space that functions fully as a kitchen and as a living area, while creating a stylish and harmonious aesthetic. The ergonomics of the kitchen, as we once knew them,


Work’s by Eggersmann September 2019 · kbbreview


have shifted to cater for this multifunctional way of life and thinking outside of the box is required to create spaces that continue to meet the needs of the user, practically as well as aesthetically. The modern-day kitchen needs not just to be organised, with clever storage solutions, but methodically designed. The concept of the Work’s by Eggersmann is an example of this formative thinking. It is based on the vision of a kitchen workshop, with an emphasis on short distances between key elements, perfect arrangement, access and structure, in a similar way to that of a professional or industrial cooking space for a working chef. Island units featuring Eggersmann’s new Motion System with multi-directional sliding stone surfaces that open to reveal hidden cooktops when required, before sliding away again when the space is being used for socialising and relaxing, are not only innovative, but also highly functional. With the ability to create additional seating and dining spaces without the need for extra cabinetry or furniture, this system is designed with the modern-day kitchen firmly in mind. They make the transition from kitchen to dining area smooth and uncomplicated and create that open-plan space that can be transformed with the slide of a worktop. The future of kitchen furniture lies in its being chosen to cater for a lifestyle, not simply to fill a space or as a reaction to design trends. Designers need to be taking a conceptual and functional approach to the kitchen and should not be afraid to move ahead of the pack.


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