Awards & Standards @ THE K&BZINE

Poggenpohl Completes the Hat Trick with Prestigious Red Dot Award

Kitchen manufacturer, Poggenpohl, has won a coveted Red Dot Award for its progressive +INTEGRATION design. The famous dot, awarded by the Design Zentrum Nordrhein Westfalen in Essen, West Germany, has been marking outstanding international product design since 1955.

An international panel of 24 design and industry professionals judged entries from 36 countries against a number of criteria, including degree of innovation, functionality, formal quality, ergonomics, durability and ecological compatibility.

All winning designs from this year's 50th anniversary awards, will be shown at a special exhibition at the Red Dot design museum in Essen, Germany from 5th July until 7th August 2005.

The feedback from judges of the 2005 awards indicates that kitchens are becoming increasingly intelligent, with designers meticulously researching their evolving marketplaces to find practical solutions that will fulfil the needs of future consumers.

+INTEGRATION uses intelligent design, bringing kitchen and living areas together with co-ordinating, purpose-designed furniture. Using a combination of front designs in Parapan® black, light grey or white, striking zebrano-structure, Swiss pearwood or walnut wood veneers and fully integrated smart home technology, homeowners are able to optimise both the architecture of their home and the way in which the space is used.

Martin Gill, MD for Poggenpohl UK, commented: 'This is a great achievement for us and real recognition that Poggenpohl continues to be at the forefront of innovative design solutions for the home. This is the third award we have won for this design, having also been presented with the Innovation Award at this year's IMM Cuisinale and the Chicago Athenaeum Good Design Award at the Eurocucina fair in Milan last year.'

Poggenpohl kitchens retail from £20,000. For further information please call 0800 298 1098 or visit http://www.poggenpohl.co.uk.

Whirlpool Corporation Receives Sears 'Partner in Progress' Awards

Alan J. Lacy, Sears Holdings Corporation’s vice chairman and chief executive officer, honoured Whirlpool Corporation on April 12th with two Partner in Progress achievement awards. Whirlpool received the awards for excellence in Product Repair Services and Advertising/Creative.

The prestigious awards are presented annually to a select group of supplier companies that have provided Sears, Roebuck and Co. with quality products and services, from apparel, appliances and tools to marketing, transportation services and technology. More than 10,000 sources competed for this award in 2004.

'It is truly an honour to have been recognised again this year by our largest trade partner for excellence in providing consumer solutions,' said David L. Swift, executive vice president of Whirlpool North America. 'These awards demonstrate that the mutual commitment between Whirlpool and Sears to deliver innovative, customer-driven products and advertising to market is working.'

Started more than 20 years ago, the Partners in Progress programme recognises suppliers that make significant contributions to the growth of Sears’ businesses and the creation of new ways to better serve Sears’ customers. The winners were selected from nominations submitted by Sears’ employees who purchase goods and services for the company.

http://www.whirlpoolcorp.com

Gold for Neff At 2005 'House Beautiful' Awards

Built in appliance specialist, Neff has won one of the top prizes at this year's prestigious 'House Beautiful' magazine awards.

The winning appliance is the company's 'Point & Twist' ceramic hob model T1583, designed for safety and practicality, as well as good looks. It has a removable central magnetic control knob, which can be hidden away when the appliance is not in use for total safety at all times.

The Gold award was presented to Neff for the 'Appliance Innovation of the Year' at the 3rd annual 'House Beautiful' Magazine Awards ceremony held this year at BAFTA in London's Piccadilly on 9th March 2005.

Hosted by 'House Beautiful' editor, Kerryn Harper, the star-studded event was attended by many luminaries from the media design world including Jeff Banks, Graham Wynne, Lawrence Llewelyn-Bowen, Justin Ryan & Colin McAllister, Linda Barker and Tommy Walsh to name but a few.

As well as winning the 'Appliance Innovation of the Year' category, Neff was also shortlisted for the Best Advertisement of the Year' for the D99T7 extractor hood advertisement currently starring in key home interest titles.

Comments Neff Brand Manager, Hannah Watson: ‘The new Neff range is full of innovative appliances like the T1583 hob and it is always so exciting when this is widely acknowledged. We were up against some stiff competition this year and are absolutely delighted to win Gold at these prestigious awards’

For brochures & stockists, call 0870 513 3090 or visit http://www.neff.co.uk

Five Electrolux products including the Ergorapido 2 in 1, Oxy3 system vacuum cleaner and the AEG-Electrolux Favorit 84985 Vi 90cm dishwasher have been recognised for their excellence in product design at the 50th red dot design awards. The 2005 red dot competition ranks as one of the largest and most prestigious in the design industry. Over 4,000 entries from 40 countries compete for the red dot, an international seal of quality for outstanding design.

A panel of internationally respected design experts judge the red dot awards. The selection criteria includes degree of innovation, practicality, quality, symbolic and emotional content, as well as ergonomics and ecological compatibility.

'The award confirms the success of Electrolux at integrating dynamic design elements with concrete consumer needs,' states Henrik Otto, Senior Vice President of Global Design at Electrolux, 'This drive, to meet their specific needs, continues to have a major impact on how we develop household appliances and a recognition of this calibre can only confirm we are on the right path'.

The stylish Ergorapido 2-in-1 vacuum cleaner by Electrolux was awarded a red dot for product design. This new combined handheld and upright cleaner, designed by an Electrolux team led by Swedish duo Esbjörn Svantesson and Christian Ågren, has a unique design and compact shape that adds a touch of flair to any room and does not have to be hidden from view. With its compact size, the battery-operated Ergorapido 2-in-1 is one of the most effective and quietest cleaners on the market.

A red dot award was also given to the Oxy3system vacuum cleaner, again designed by a team headed up by Svantesson and Ågren. The Oxy3system has a sealed system that eliminates the leakage of hazardous particles and odour. An improved nozzle provides all-round suction performance, and contributes towards dust collection being much better than in a traditional vacuum cleaner. The blue display light in combination with an easy to use and appealing design has lead the jury at red dot to award this second product from Electrolux.

The winning Favorit 84985 Vi 90cm dishwasher was developed for the AEG-Electrolux brand by the in-house design team led by leading Italian designer Roberto Pezzetta. The appliance was conceived keeping consumer demand and comfort in mind: The product’s horizontal design respects the line of the modern kitchen, while the exclusive interior’s accessories make it easy to use. The choice of programmes includes an automatic programme which selects the optimum wash, rinse and drying phases to give perfect cleaning performance.

The fourth award went to the finely crafted, high quality, aluminium Electrolux Wine Keeper, developed by an Italian based team lead by German designer Martin Beeh. This appliance can store 107 bottles of all types of wine, at the optimal temperature, on six different shelves. In addition to storing wine and champagne, the Wine Keeper includes a special compartment to hold cigars and food items. The front glass panel, internal lighting and sleek design of the appliance ensure it compliments any modern kitchen.

The final red dot was awarded to the CaFamosa espresso machine, which was designed by product designer Rainer Mendler and his team in Germany. CaFamosa integrates the high-performance technology of big machines into a compact design-style body. CaFamosa includes clever features: the machine grinds, dispenses, presses, brews and cleans all by itself.

Electrolux Major Appliances:
For brochure and stockist information, call 08705 950 950 or visit the website: http://www.electrolux.co.uk

Homes & Gardens Classic Design Awards Win for Axis Digital

Aqualisa’s Axis Digital shower triumphed at this year’s Homes & Gardens Classic Design Awards, held on Thursday, 10th March at the Victoria & Albert Museum, London.

Axis Digital was the recipient of the ‘Readers’ Award’ – securing its success from votes cast by readers of Homes & Gardens magazine and via an interactive ‘voting wall’ at The Victoria & Albert Museum.

The diverse shortlist for the award included the Matador Chair, designed by Sir Terence Conran, the Living Kitchen Range, designed by Nigella Lawson and Sebastian Conran and Sainsbury’s Allium Tableware. However, following in the footsteps of last year’s award winner, Jacuzzi, it was a combination of innovation and practicality, not to mention a healthy shot of good looks, that won over more than 10,000 readers and museum visitors.

Marketing and Business Development Director Martyn Denny commented,
‘When we launched Digital showering technology just four years ago, we were faced with more than our fair share of sceptics. Happily, 100,000 units later, we have not only created a completely new and very successful genre of showering, but have also proven that our original aim – to design a shower that would be easy to use, easy on the eye and easy to install – has indeed captured the imagination of the consumer at every level.’

Left to right – Deborah Barker, editor Homes & Gardens magazine, Harry Rawlinson Managing Director, Aqualisa, Martyn Denny, Marketing & Business Development Diretcor, Aqualisa

Homes & Gardens Editor Deborah Barker, said, ‘Homes & Gardens has been presenting its readers with the best new domestic products for more than 80 years – and we have always believed it is our role to search out objects that are not only beautiful, but also functional and which will enhance the lives of our readers. Axis Digital fulfils this criteria perfectly and this year’s phenomenal number of votes indicates we are not alone in our search for products that combine outstanding design, quality and practicality.’

Controlled by a micro processor, Axis Digital elevates showering to an advanced level of sophistication. Features include lights on the shower’s control that flash while the water is warming up, before turning to steady once the water has reached a pre-programmed temperature. For the truly lazy, there’s the option of a remote start/stop switch – also with lights – that can be situated up to 10 metres away from the showering area, allowing Axis Digital to be turned from outside the bathroom and, thanks to that shoebox sized processor, installation can be completed in less than a day.

Conceived by Aqualisa and designed in collaboration with Seymour Powell, Axis Digital is intended to facilitate maximum layout versatility. Four striking shower heads including wall-fixed and ceiling flush-fixed designs are available and pumped or standard units mean Axis Digital is compatible with virtually all types of UK domestic water heating systems. Endless cleaning is put paid to, as well. All Axis Digital showers are finished in hard-wearing chrome and shower heads make use of Aqualisa’s ‘clear flow’, anti-scale technology – ensuring that the nozzles never deliver less than maximum flow.

Essential Information
• Unique, advanced electronic processor blends hot and cold water completely remotely from showering area.
• The compact, unobtrusive shoebox can be installed underneath the bath, in an airing cupboard or in the loft – anywhere convenient to the shower’s position and hot and cold water supplies
• Simple to install – no major excavation of bathroom wall for fitting of pipes or shower control
• Remote start/stop switch allows Axis Digital to be turned on and off entirely remotely – fit the switch bedside, on the landing or outside of the bathroom
• 4 different Axis shower heads available – adjustable, wall-fixed, ceiling-fixed and ceiling flush-fixed
• Available with body-jets
• Axis Digital showers are available as ‘pumped’ or ‘standard’ models – the former is suitable for gravity-fed systems; the latter for Mains-fed or combination boilers
• Axis Digital showers are finished in tough, easy to keep clean chrome
• Guaranteed for five years from purchase
• Axis Digital showers start from an RRP of £575.00 inclusive of VAT
• For further information, telephone 01959 560020

Electrolux Household Appliances Honoured with Six Good Design™ awards 2004

Kitchen appliances from the Electrolux Group have been honoured with six prestigious Good Design awards, one of the oldest and most important design competition worldwide, established by the Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design in 1950.

'We are excited and honored to win the Good Design awards. It is evidence that our global design approach based on consumer insight is appreciated by both consumers and the design community,' says Henrik Otto, head of design at the Electrolux Group.

The six winning products from the Electrolux Group are:

• Electrolux Full Alu - electric built in multifunctional oven, designed by Roberto Pezzetta.
• Electrolux Range Cooker - semi professional cooker, designed by David Kynoch, Mark Baxter and Paul Flowers.
• Electrolux Visao - microwave oven, designed by Alexandre Barros Neves and Duncan McCall.
• AEG-Electrolux Neue Klasse - a fridge freezer with LCD display on the door, designed by Alexandre Barros Neves, Michael Farrell, Martin Beeh.
• Electrolux Fabri Guard - twin tub semi-automatic washing machine, designed by Swaminathan Iyer, Andrew Cameron, Nina Sirelius, Martin Alexanderson, Sharad Dahake, Alwar District, Shah Jahandur, Rajasthan, India.
• Electrolux ICON™ (pictured) - convection wall oven, designed by Bob Martin, Kent Crookshank, Victor Cascianelli, Frank Downing and Bob McCoy.

The Good Design Awards is organised by the Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design. The Museum's historic Good Design programme was founded in Chicago in 1950 by Edgar J. Kaufmann, JR. with the participation of some of America's most important designers: Eero Saarinen, and Charles and Ray Eames, Alexander Girard, George Nelson, Florence Knoll, Harry Bretoia, Finn Juhl, and Russel Wright.

Photos of the winning products are available on: http://www.electrolux.com/gooddesign

Villeroy & Boch Receives Highly-Esteemed German Industry Innovation Award for 2004

The world's first innovation award, 'the German Business Innovation Award', was won in 2004 in the 'medium-sized business' category by Villeroy & Boch for its 'NewWave' cup design and production techniques. 'Large Concerns' and 'Start-Up Companies' formed a further two categories of this highly-esteemed award. Following his words of tribute Federal Chancellor ret., Dr. Helmut Kohl, presented the award at a ceremony in the Alte Oper in Frankfurt, which was attended by more than 2,600 guests.

This award has been initiated and organised by the Wirtschaftsclub Rhein-Main, whose top-class plenum is composed of renowned personalities from the areas of politics, business and science and also of Nobel prize-winners. The Wirtschaftsclub Rhein-Main has joined with the 'Wirtschaftswoche' magazine to organise this innovation award, whose intention it is, 'to stimulate business performance.
Evaluation is based on the level of innovation, the market launch, benefits for society and environment, innovation management and economic efficiency. Attention is focussed on innovations which show that they can bring about change in the markets.'

The product's innovative content was the decisive factor for the eminent award, which was donated by Adam Opel AG, Rüsselsheim. This innovative content is found just as much in the product's unconventional design, as in the specially-developed production technique. The award is confirmation for a corporate strategy which establishes innovative abilities in all its Divisions and groups them together in an integral system of innovation management.

The aim is to gain market and competitive leads, using new products and concepts which are closely related to consumer needs, to strengthen international brands and open up further consumer circles. This has been achieved with the 'NewWave' series.

Wave of Success
Accompanying the sustained sales success of the 'NewWave' design is a considerable image boost resulting from the presentation of this globally unique innovation award. Innovation is not just some facet or other of this product: it is its character. Design here becomes the language of innovation. To begin with, there is the unusual, highly-exciting shape, which departs from the accustomed tableware symmetry, particularly that of the circular shape. It is replaced by the asymmetry of a wavy shape, which is just as ergonomic as practical. The flatly-worked, curved handle of the cup is pleasant to hold. The 'saucer' not only accommodates the cup firmly in a deep hollow, but also offers coffee-lovers the additional benefit of adequate space for croissants, cookies etc.

The Challenge of Innovative Design
It would not have been possible, however, to realise the 'NewWave' cup using conventional production methods. A decisive factor for the innovation award was the new, unique kind of production technique invented by Villeroy & Boch. It is the hollow die-casting method which is used in the production of tableware to manufacture precisely these asymmetrical shapes.

Villeroy & Boch enjoys technological leadership at an international level with this innovative, partly patented production technique. The technique's unique position and the design produced with it guarantee the company a considerable competitive lead. At the same time, this means that the production locations of Torgau in Saxony, Merzig/Mettlach and Luxembourg will be strengthened and their future safeguarded.

A design idea started the ball rolling. What resulted was 'New Wave', whose emotional purchase appeal led to an astounding global increase in sales. But it was not possible to foresee the scale of its success. It therefore also required that same courage to take risks, which is part of every business decision in favour of innovation and which motivates the investment associated with such an undertaking.

Innovation as Part of the Corporate Culture
Innovations belong to the Group's strategic orientation and are the ideal way to gain competitive advantages in glutted markets. For this reason the company introduced its Innovation Management Department – under the direction of Executive Board Chairman, Wendelin von Boch – four years ago. All Divisions and levels of the hierarchy are involved in the innovation process by way of 'innovation circles'. In this way the creative potential of all employees is activated. The clear structures and methodical approach leading to the realisation of an innovation always allow broad scope for open discussions and suggestions which are free from the constraints of daily life and the compulsion to succeed.

Looking back on the company's 256-year history, it is easy to recognise an enthusiasm to explore and a joy in experimenting which have given rise to epochal innovations in the areas of production techniques and product aesthetics since the company began. It is the spirit of these inventors which has paved the way to the modern-day innovation structures at Villeroy & Boch.

Earlier innovations in the 18th and 19th century, for example, include completely new kiln systems and extensive improvements to the ceramic material. By aligning the quality of ceramic with that of porcelain at a clearly lower price, Villeroy & Boch began making tableware available to everyone in around 1830.
Technically-optimised tiles with aesthetic refinement were already the export driving force in 1870.

The development of fireclay and the slip-casting technique – a technological leap at the end of the 19th century – led to the cost-effective manufacture of ceramic sanitary-ware products. This marked the beginning of an era in which hygiene was made accessible to everyone.

Villeroy & Boch and its products have furthermore shaped the long phase of historicism, in particular the 'Gründerstil' (style in the period of rapid expansion from 1871], and also the art noveau era, during which such famous designers as van de Velde, Behrens and Olbrich worked for the company.

In the 1970s Colani revolutionised the bathroom and focused his comprehensive design concept on ergonomics. In so doing he marked the start of a new era which moved away from the bathroom as a naked hygiene room and regarded it instead as a place for relaxation and regeneration. More than 30 years later, Conran followed on from this idea with an extended regeneration concept.

Three retailer members of the Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists Association are celebrating after netting top honours at the Bathrooms and Kitchens Industry Awards.

The awards, organised by Bathrooms and Kitchens Magazine, are now in their second decade and aim to recognise and reward excellence in design and retailing.

KBSA members Crabtree Kitchens, Norwood Interiors and Nicholas Anthony scooped awards for Marketing for Kitchens, Master Retailer for Kitchens and Showroom for Kitchens respectively.

‘Once again, it was tremendous to see KBSA members amongst the winners of these prestigious awards,’ said KBSA chief executive Graham Hayden.

‘All three members were worthy winners and we congratulate them on their achievements.

‘These industry awards play such an important role in improving standards of excellence within our industry and the KBSA was pleased to be a sponsor.

‘We firmly believe in spotlighting best standards in all aspects of retail and design and keenly support all efforts to reward those responsible for leading the field in terms of quality.'

The awards were presented during a special ceremony held at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel on February 1st.

The Moores Furniture Group, which incorporates the Shades bathroom furniture brand, was recognised for its commitment to training recently.

Moores scooped the National Training Award for the Yorkshire and Humberside region beating off stiff competition from over 200 companies in the region.

The competition, run by an organisation called the National Training Awards, is open to any employer, public or private. The organisation assesses companies against the criteria of how training and development has been identified, designed, delivered and evaluated and was particularly impressed with Moores commitment to a training development programme for its staff.

Pictured left to right is Matthew Eldon (Resource and Development Manager, Moores Furniture Group); Steve Knight (Training Leader, Moores Furniture Group); Roger Black; Richard Tattersall (Works Manager, Moores Furniture Group); Mark Hunter (Training Leader, Moores Furniture Group)

The Award was presented by ex-athlete, Roger Black at a glittering black tie event held at Cutlers Hall in Sheffield recently.

Commenting on the accolade, Richard Fitzmaurice, marketing manager for Moores says: ‘At Moores training is an integral part of our business development and we have a firm commitment to our staff and to furthering their careers and ultimately to furthering Moores as a company. We are delighted to have this recognition of our efforts by an external body, particularly when competition for this category was so stiff.’

Kitchen Culture was delighted when gifted Director and Designer, Tristan de la Haye, scooped two prestigious designer awards at this year's Bathroom and Kitchens lndustry Awards.

The talented designer's first appearance on stage was to receive the much-deserved 2005 Designer Award for Kitchens. Tristan designed a kitchen for a young professional couple who required a minimalist and sophisticated look with comfort and practicality in mind. The judges felt that Tristan showed a clear design process that was well thought-out and thorough.

This outstanding design also led to Tristan receiving an lnternational Kitchen Designer Award. This award invited leading kitchen designers throughout the world to compete; finalists included designers from Australia, Canada and Holland.

Tristan, comments: 'I was delighted to receive both the Designer and lnternational Designer Awards for Kitchens. The Bathroom and Kitchens lndustry Awards represents the 'best' of a thriving industry and to be recognised and win in two categories is fantastic.

Tel: 01372 468 469
Web: http://www.kitchen-cuIture.co.uk

The National Kitchen & Bath Association's (NKBA) Endorsed Programs department recently announced its schedule of competitions for students to enter in 2005 and 2006.

2005 Student Design Scholarship
Again in 2005, the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) presents the 2005 Student Designer Scholarship sponsored by Kitchen & Bath Design News magazine (KBDN). This contest is only open to NKBA Student Members that attend an NKBA Supported/Endorsed Program.

Winners will receive scholarships and expense paid trips to the 2005 Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (K/BIS®) in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 10-12, 2005. Eliot Sefrin, publisher of KBDN magazine, will present the winners with their cash prize at the NKBA Student Member Event at K/BIS®.The deadline for submission is March 25th, 2005.

2006 NKBA Student Design Competition
The 2006 NKBA Student Design Competition is open to all NKBA Student Members. New this year, thanks to sponsorship from American Woodmark Corporation and Sub-Zero Freezer Company, Inc., students have a choice to compete in the kitchen competition, bath competition or both.

Students are asked to help Brad and Penelope Ivy redesign their 40's kitchen and/or bath. Of course this will not be easy since Brad wants an ultra contemporary kitchen and Penelope wants a warm inviting traditional kitchen. The bathroom causes controversy when Brad expresses his desire for a residential urinal.

In addition to following the NKBA 31 Kitchen and 27 Bathroom Planning Guidelines, the submission of a design statement and storyboard, students are required to submit a floor plan, construction plan, mechanical plan, and elevations following NKBA Graphics and Presentation Standards. Deadline for submission is November 30th, 2005.

For more information, please visit http://www.nkba.org or contact Sherylin Doyle, NKBA Endorsed Programs Manager at mailto:sdoyle@nkba.org.