Appliance Design - September 2008 - (Page 6) NEwS watch the cool Kitchen Kitchen design by Johan Bolle shows trends such as modular refrigeration, quartz countertops, stainless steel, bolder use of color, and contemporary lines. he use of custom-paneled appliances continues to be a popular trend, according to a national survey of kitchen designers by the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) and appliance manufacturer Thermador. The online survey of 206 NKBA certified designers identified several trends influencing today’s kitchen design – from popular colors and finishes used in designs, to new materials, and even new technologies being incorporated by designers. According to the survey, 91.8 percent of designers still believe that stainless steel is the most popular finish for appliances. However, custom paneling is more commonly incorporated into today’s kitchen designs. More than three quarters of designers report the frequent use of custom panels on appliances for cabinetry integration. Appliances most often receiving paneling are dishwashers (96.2 percent) and refrigeration (91.3 percent). Designers identified JOINt VENtURE IN chINa. Carrier, Farmington, Conn., and Guangdong Midea Electric of China have signed an agreement to form a joint venture in China. The company will be called Foshan Midea Carrier Air Conditioning Equipment Co. and be based in Shunde, China. Midea will hold a 60 percent stake in the company, and Carrier will hold the minority stake in the joint venture. Residential and light commercial ductfree split air conditionings systems will be 6 applianceDESIGN September 2008 t modular refrigeration (28.4 percent), along with induction cooktops (35.6 percent) and speedcooking ovens (21.6 percent), as some of the most exciting kitchen technologies on the market today “Modular refrigeration like the Thermador Freedom Collection is gaining popularity because it provides designers and their clients greater flexibility,” says Michael Traub, president and CEO of Thermador. “With Freedom, they are liberated from having to design the entire kitchen around traditional and bulky refrigerator/freezer combinations while being able to achieve truly flush integration.” The survey also suggests that more than one cook uses the kitchen today. Because of this, 67 percent of designers frequently incorporate multiple cooking stations into their designs – such as a range and a wall oven or a range and a cooktop. Moreover, appliances are being installed into islands, with 69.6 percent of designers frequently doing so. Also, supporting the trend of built exclusively for Carrier for the global market. Production is expected to be fully operational by the end of the year. multiple cooks, 78.9 percent of designers frequently incorporate a prep sink into islands or other locations in the kitchen for increased functionality. “Kitchens are more commonly becoming a household’s hub,” says Ed Pell, manager of marketing research at the NKBA. “With multiple cooks working in the kitchen, and more entertaining and family activities conducted there, designers want to fulfill their client’s desire for increased functionality with efficient work areas.” When it comes to appliances, a majority of designers say clients believe that highend appliances are a good home investment, which makes it no surprise that 99.5 percent of designers said their clients are interested in professional-style appliances. In fact, designers indicate premium appliances are the number one “dream” item amongst their clients (46.2 percent) – winning over custom cabinetry (29.7 percent) and special countertops (14.4 percent). < National Physical Laboratory, will develop information resources and software to aid members’ response to environmental regulations and help enable design for minimum environmental impact, including low carbon footprint, energy efficiency, reduced wastes and emissions, and avoidance of restricted substances. The three-year project began in July with founder members Emerson Electric, Eurocopter, NASA, and Rolls-Royce. It is expected to grow to between 10 and 15 www.applianceDESIGN.com MatERIaL IMPact. A new group, the Environmental Materials Information Technology (EMIT) Consortium, has been formed to consider materials and process decisions and analyze their environmental impact. The EMIT Consortium, coordinated by the U.K.’s http://www.appliancedesign.com
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