WHAT’S NEXT? 21ST—CENTURY KITCHENS

MARK ELMORE, GENERAL MANAGER OF DESIGN AT FISHER & PAYKEL APPLIANCES, HAS DRIVEN DESIGN-LED THINKING ACROSS THE COMPANY. SPECIFICALLY, HE HAS A KEEN INTEREST IN THE PHYSICAL AND ARCHITECTURAL EVOLUTION OF KITCHENS, AND THE ACCOMPANYING SOCIAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACTS. OVER HIS YEARS AT THE COMPANY, MARK HAS CHAMPIONED ITS DEVELOPMENT AS A GLOBALLY FOCUSED, PREMIUM BRAND. IN 2011 HE WAS PRESENTED WITH NEW ZEALAND’S MOST PRESTIGIOUS DESIGN AWARD, THE JOHN BRITTEN BLACK PIN.

KITCHENS ARE EVOLVING. MARK ELMORE, GENERAL MANAGER OF DESIGN FOR FISHER & PAYKEL, REVEALS THE VERY LATEST EMERGING TRENDS AND TECHNOLOGY.

THE KITCHEN IS NO LONGER JUST A PLACE WHERE FOOD IS PREPARED.

It’s also a place where food is shared. It’s become a meeting place for the family, a place to work and entertain.

WE’RE SEEING A RISE IN THE TREND FOR KITCHENS THAT SIT SEAMLESSLY WITHIN THE HOME AS A WHOLE.

You can see this in the increased desire to conceal appliances behind cabinetry without handles. On the other hand, designers are also creating bespoke statement pieces, such as monolithic island benches that are crafted like considered pieces of furniture.

INTEGRATION IS NOT A NEW THING, MORE A CONTINUAL EVOLUTION.

At EuroCucina there were some great integrated solutions, from screens that conceal to hidden shelving that tucks away but can be extended for functional use.

THERE’S ALSO A MOOD FOR NOSTALGIA.

More traditional forms and dusky colour palettes infused with muted pastel pink are on the rise. We think it’s a response to too much minimalism, and a rebellion against harder materials.

CONSIDERATION TO EFFICIENCY OF SPACE AND FUNCTIONALITY HAS GIVEN RISE TO PREMIUM COMPACT KITCHENS.

These are spaces that are high on quality in terms of materials and craftmanship. It’s great to see small done in a premium way.

OVERALL THERE’S A LOT MORE ATTENTION TO DETAIL, QUALITY AND PRECISION.

It’s an area where Fisher & Paykel excel. We like to think we’re a really human centred design brand and we hope people understand the value we’re bringing to the kitchen. We aim to make all our appliances very functional but also elegant with great materiality and a strong sense of purpose — and beautifully designed as well.

AT FISHER & PAYKEL WE’VE BEEN VERY MUCH FOCUSED ON THE EMOTIVE CONNECTION.

We pride ourselves on providing beautiful integrated solutions that allow you to adapt your kitchen to different needs. If you’re busy during the week, you need speed and efficiency but then in the same space, on the weekend, you want to relax and socialise. And that’s where our products come in. They can respond and adapt to those needs.