What will kitchens of the future look like? Patricia Urquiola predicts
Patricia Urquiola’s glossy refrigerator cabinet for Signature Kitchen Suite might have been all over Milan (and Instagram) in recent months, but ‘Mantle’ (the modular fridge unit that looks just as good under the kitchen counter as it does freestanding in the bathroom or indeed next to your bed!) is not the designer’s first kitchen success.
The polymath has created a string of award-winning restaurant interiors and innovative table designs, so it’s safe to say that she knows a thing or two about modern kitchens. From forward-looking new technologies to the rise in sustainable materials and changing attitudes to space, we quiz the designer on how she sees kitchens developing.
How has the way we cook now affected kitchen design?
The home is a transforming organism that changes throughout the day, reflecting how we are evolutionary beings constantly in transformation. Kitchens should be versatile spaces that adapt to the needs of their inhabitants. In recent years there has been a natural inclination towards more compact kitchens, as it is increasingly important to use every square metre in our homes – that’s also why there is a growing demand for multifunctional pieces.
What has been the biggest shift in kitchen design in recent years?
The conventional separation of the kitchen and dining room is disappearing. Open-plan layouts that combine kitchen, dining and living areas are being used more, allowing for more interaction between cooking and social activities. Today, my clients are looking for integrated spaces.
How does ‘Mantle’, your refrigerator-cabinets range for Signature Kitchen Suite, respond to this idea?
I am interested in new and more sophisticated ways of living, challenging the traditional notion of a bed, a sofa or, in this case, a fridge. I explore how products can become an extension of ourselves and make our lives more efficient in an ever-changing society; it’s an interest that Signature Kitchen Suite shares. With ‘Mantle’ we wanted to go beyond the traditional refrigerator and make a piece of furniture that’s more physically and visually accessible. So we covered it with Cimento tiles made from a revolutionary cement compound derived from natural components or tinted wood. These wrap around ‘Mantle’, disguising that it’s an appliance and making it easier to place in the home, as well as in public spaces like offices. We envisioned the refrigerator placed anywhere in the home – from the living room for snacks and drinks to the bathroom for beauty products.
What role does technology play in the future of the kitchen?
I believe that technology truly supports our lives when it is intuitive, flexible and adapts to us, rather than the other way around. Objects will have increasingly integrated technology, with more sophisticated, smarter functions that are intricately tied to our daily activities. This is the concept of ‘Mantle’, which integrates with Signature Kitchen Suite’s convertible under-counter refrigerator – a smart product that has two drawers with customisable temperatures. Its setup is intuitive, the appliance is compact yet spacious and everything can be managed remotely. It adapts to its user’s lifestyle.
How are issues around sustainability shaping the kitchen?
As production cycles become more focused on sustainability, kitchen designs are incorporating more and more upcycled materials and more eco-friendly processes. This change will be achieved by integrating appliances that consume less energy, like energy efficient refrigerators and LED lighting, or by including water-saving fixtures and modular components that can be easily repaired or replaced, extending their lifespan. patriciaurquiola.com
