BMA
Announces Annual Conference
The
Bathroom Manufacturers Association
(BMA) has announced the details of the Bathroom Industry's Annual Conference
to take place on 30th October 2007 at the Oxford Belfry Hotel in Oxfordshire.
The theme for the 2007 BMA Annual Conference is: The Consumer - Designing
for Life. This topic was selected as it encompasses all aspects of the
Bathroom Industry including the very relevant, important issues of inclusive
design and water efficiency, as well as other subjects valuable to bathroom
businesses such as consumer spend, predictions and forecasts for tomorrow's
market.
The BMA believes this year's theme will attract more delegates than ever
and is expecting 150 delegates from BMA member companies, non-member manufacturing
companies, sheds, retailers and the media.
Confirmed speakers to date include Kate Sheehan, an independent Occupational
Therapist with 19 years' experience of providing services for clients,
both in the NHS and Social Services environments.
As the former Chairman of the College of Occupational Therapists specialist
section - Housing (COTSS-H) - Kate boasts a wealth of experience in inclusive
design and she knows and understands what consumers want and need from
their bathrooms.
Believing there is a real opportunity for Industry to better service this
market sector, Kate is keen to pass on her knowledge and experience to
delegates and encourage them to 'design for life'.
The second confirmed speaker is Rama Gheerawo, a research fellow at the
Helen Hamlyn Centre and specialises in core inclusive design practice,
the development of methodology and knowledge transfer to business.
Rama's key areas of focus include more inclusive design modes of transport
and independent living - the creation of products, services and environments
that give diverse groups greater choice and sustained independence in
their daily lives.
Rama is a principal member of an industry research consortium, which looks
at the Future Home. Central to the investigation is the premise that the
smart home of the future should be close to user needs and aspirations
rather than being dictated purely by technological advances.
The third confirmed speaker is Professor David Hall who has been described
as one of Europe's leading facilitators of innovation and entrepreneurship.
His consulting practice helps organisations to innovate and revitalise
themselves by creating entrepreneurial solutions to their business issues.
Professor Hall is the author of three top selling business books, Hallmarks
for Successful Business, In the Company of Heroes and Doing the Business.
He is the writer and presenter of the BAFTA award-winning BBC1 business
series 'Winning' and he won the UK Premier Business Award for Television
for the BBC2 programme 'Get Better or Get Beaten' and the coveted Ernst
& Young North Region Entrepreneur of the Year 2000 Award for supporting
entrepreneurs.
He is a humorous and entertaining conference speaker and encourages businesses
to work 'on' as well as 'in' the business.Other key speakers will include
a leading expert from a major bank who will discuss and analyse consumer
spend and a designer who will share their expertise with delegates on
currents trends and designs and future predictions and how they fit in
with other aspects of the Annual Conference topics including designing
for life and spend.
Speaking about this year's Annual Conference BMA Chief Executive Yvonne
Orgill says: ‘The 2006 Inaugural Conference 'Precious Water - Water
Pressures' was a huge success with feedback from delegates confirming
the value of the event in terms of the quality of speakers, the venue,
the network opportunities and the entertainment.
‘The BMA Annual Conference provides Industry stakeholders with the
perfect opportunity to learn, broaden their horizons and make new contacts.’
To find out more about the BMA's 2007 Annual Conference and reserve your
place, please contact Linda Williams: linda.williams@bathroom-association.org.uk
Pulse:
3-5 June 2007, Earls Court, London
Clarion Retail has announced that Pulse,
the summer show which returns to London's Earls Court 3-5 June 2007, has
hit its exhibitor number targets with over 600 high quality exhibitors
already booked, bringing thousands of new product ranges with them.
Neil Gaisford, Show Director, comments ‘Pulse 2007 is promising to
be an extremely exciting and innovative show. The sales team have been
working hard, hunting international and UK shows and design collectives
to secure new British and international talent to exhibit alongside established
names. We are confident the diversity in ranges of products on display,
the leading seminar programme, the one-on-one retail surgeries, the innovative
new-product showcases and much more, will inspire visitors with ideas
for their retail future and help them find the next big thing.’
Space is has been made available to allow a further 100 design-led companies
to exhibit at the show. Companies and designers looking to book space
can call 020 7370 8259 for information on how to reserve their stand.
To register for Pulse please visit http://www.pulse-london.com
or call the ticket hotline on 01923 690 645.
As
the largest exhibitor at the Tile & Stone show, July 1-3 at ExCeL
London, RAK Ceramics UK is looking forward to showing off the company’s
extensive new ceramic and porcelain tile collections for 2007. The strength
of the RAK brand will be evident in products across a diverse number of
areas, including bathroom and kitchen specific, commercial, bespoke and
made to measure large slabs. Demonstrating a holistic approach to home
interiors, tiles will be supported by complementary RAK group products,
including sanitaryware, fireclay kitchen sinks, porcelain tableware and
furniture and home accessories.
Having
already caused quite a stir in the market this year, the newly launched
Capricorn tile collection from RAK Ceramics offers a combination of natural
stone appearance and highly competitive pricing. Dual bodied ceramic finishes
include dramatic bold colours and soft natural tones. Many ranges, including
Novelda, have complementing borders, listellos or mosaics to provide a
host of options for the creative interior specifier on a budget. Sizes
vary from listellos at 3cm x 25cm to floor tiles at 33cm x 33cm, all of
which are offered with a highly affordable volume pricing structure.
Also new for 2007, 'Crema Rosa' is a porcelain tile that comes in a 30cm
x 60cm format with a silky matt brown or beige finish. In addition, 'Wood'
is a distinctive new 'retro' tile that subtly takes us back to the 1970s.
Coming in large format 30cm x 60cm tiles, their key feature is a realistic
wood grain effect in either light ivory glossy, medium brown glossy or
medium yellow matt. In fact, bold colour was the major inspiration behind
many of the new ranges - 'Tulip' comes in a polished blue or prune and
'Diano' in dark green or medium orange polished ceramic. All these tiles
come in the 30cm x 60cm size, ideal for making an impressive design statement.
Modern RAK 'stone' is very strong, ideal for large areas or where there
is heavy footfall. Available in beige matt and textured grey finishes,
these super-large format 60cm x 90cm tiles are made from RAK porcelain
for very high durability and consistent good looks.
'Crystal' is available in 30cm x 60cm & 7.4cm x 60cm sizes. Coming
in confident mid blue, medium green or white finishes, these tiles are
a key element to the youthful Metropolitan range that features a delightfully
fine pinstripe motif. They are available as part of the Trilogy collection,
a new retail channel that combines tiles with sanitaryware, furniture
and accessories to form a cohesive package backed up with unique point
of sale for the retailer. In addition, new 'Arenisca', 'Forum', 'Uni Chroma'
and 'Techno Chroma' tiles are also being shown along with a new addition
to the popular 'Siox' range of tiles launched in 2006 - Siox Blue.
Rob Jull RAK Ceramics UK MD says, ‘I know that visitors will be impressed
by the sheer breadth and quality of the new products we're launching at
the Tile & Stone show. Hopefully they'll also have time to enjoy the
hospitality at stand F7, for which we are renowned. However, the main
thing I'd like every visitor to recognise is how we as a company continue
to honour our pledge of providing irresistible value for money - from
some of the largest commercial projects in the UK to the smallest bathroom
floor, specifiers are winning contracts with RAK Ceramics.’
Visit RAK Ceramics at Stand F7 or contact 01730 815 507 – http://www.rakceramics.co.uk
for more information.
Crabtree
Kitchens Hosts with Mercury Thermastone Oven
Crabtree Kitchens was host to a cookery demonstration by Mercury recently. The demonstration was on Mercury's new Award winning Thermastone heatstore range cooker.
The
event (which attracted over 30 guests) was held at Crabtree Kitchens’
Barnes showroom and Paul and Helen - (Mercury's Chef and Home Economist)
joined forces to serve up mouth-watering dishes which were enthusiastically
eaten by Patrick & Alex Crabtree's guests.
These cookery demonstrations are a regular feature at Crabtree's bespoke
kitchen showroom and for more information regarding future cookery demonstrations
and the company’s bespoke hard wood, hand painted and high gloss
lacquer kitchens - please call Alex Crabtree on 020 8392 6955.
EST
to Sponsor Grand Designs Live 2007
Grand
Designs Live
(8-10
June, ExCeL London), the record-breaking exhibition based on the hugely
popular talkbackTHAMES series for Channel Four, has announced that the
Energy Saving Trust will be the headline sponsor for its 2007 event.
The Energy Saving Trust is an independent non-profit organisation promoting
energy saving. Working closely with the show organisers, it is building
an interactive eco-home. The Energy Saving Trust's house will be constructed
using energy efficient products and will demonstrate how visitors can
minimise energy consumption - whether they're building from scratch or
adapting their existing homes.
Furthermore, the Energy Saving Trust's 'Energy Doctors' will be conducting
brief one to one sessions with show visitors to decipher the amount of
energy they use in their homes, and will offer practical tips and advice
to help them reduce individual usage. The Energy Saving Trust invites
visitors to complete the Home Energy Check on its website at http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/what_can_i_do_today/home_energy_check
before visiting the show, so that the 'Energy Doctors' can use this information
to offer a more personalised service.
Over the coming weeks, Grand Designs Live and the Energy Saving Trust
will work closely to ensure that the show is an energy efficient event
by communicating clear messages on the importance of sustainable living
in the home - a central theme reflected throughout Grand Designs Live
in 2007.
Richard Morey, Director of Media 10, the show organisers, said: 'The sponsorship
agreement between the Energy Saving Trust and Grand Designs Live marks
the beginning of what we hope will be an ongoing relationship.
Grand Designs Live continues to lead the way in communicating the need
for 'eco-friendly' alternatives for the home. This partnership further
strengthens this position.'
Mark London, marketing manager, the Energy Saving Trust, commented: 'Grand
Designs Live provides us with an effective way to communicate our key
messages and initiatives to an audience, who are starting to show an increased
appetite for sustainable living. The show provides a great platform to
offer practical advice to curious visitors keen to make the first steps
towards a more energy efficient lifestyle.'
'At the exhibition, we will be constructing an eco-home to show visitors
how easy it is to convert homes that are energy efficient but still look
good. We hope that our presence at Grand Designs Live will encourage more
people to take action'
Grand Designs Live: an overview
Based on the popular talkbackTHAMES series for Channel 4 and presented
by design expert Kevin McCloud, Grand Designs Live, the number one UK
consumer show for design and innovation, is set to inspire with new show
features, more celebrities and more expert advice.
Grand Designs Live has grown into an exciting and inspiring show and visitors
will feel part of the whole Grand Designs experience: entertained, informed
and stimulated, with the opportunity to meet the architects, suppliers,
designers and homeowners from the new TV series. At Grand Designs Live
2007 visitors get six shows for the price of one plus a unique shopping
experience:
* GRANDBuild - The biggest and most comprehensive self build show
in London, providing visitors with everything they need to know for each
stage of their self build project, from planning through to construction
and fitting out a Grand Design.
* GRANDInteriors - The most cutting edge, contemporary interior
design exhibition of its kind in the UK.
* GRANDKitchens - The biggest consumer kitchen event in the UK,
showcasing cutting-edge cooking spaces and kitted-out kitchens.
* GRANDBathrooms - The sleekest bathroom designs and state-of-the-art
technologies will be on show, with experts to show how they will work
best in the 'smallest room in the house'.
* GRANDGardens - Full of products, services, ideas and information
for outdoor living, from full redesign, to timber decking and planting
schemes.
* DESIGN Shopping Arcade - An exclusive collection of designer
furnishings, many of which are not available to buy on the high street.
Tickets are priced at £14 in advance or £18 on the door (children
aged 15 and under enter free when accompanied by an adult).
Grand Designs Live 2007
ExCeL London, Victoria Docks
Friday 8th June - Sunday 10th June 2007
Web: http://www.granddesignslive.com
Web: http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk
Ticket Hotline: 0870 380 0342
Foresight
Design Conference: Housing from Heaven
CMPi,
organiser of The Interiors Event, has set up a partnership with Johnny
Grey, designer, cultural influencer and author to establish a programme
of conferences in the design and construction sectors of the industry.
The conferences will challenge current thinking, help interpret consumer
needs and enable designers to translate the future needs of society with
greater accuracy. Inspirational and forward thinking, Foresight will focus
on one day conferences throughout 2007 and into 2008.
The Housing from Heaven conference will take place on June 22nd 2007 at
RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects), London. This conference
is aimed at architects, house builders, developers, interior designers,
planners and the construction industry. Leading experts have been asked
to talk about their vision and frustrations, as well as their solutions,
and to debate some of the major issues faced so that the art of creating
homes can be relearned.
Housing from Heaven will consist of the following sessions:
* A designer's challenge; from mistrust, to creativity and shared interests:
How to work with house builders and how they can work with designers.
Wayne Hemmingway, Chairman of Building for Life
* Placemaking. Ben Derbyshire, HTA Architects
* Valuing design, sustainability and the economics of housing. Yolande
Barnes, Savills
* Managing Creatives from the house builders side Nick Johnson, Urban
Splash
* The end of rooms: the interior rethought. From psychology to the latest
findings in neuroscience the place we call Home as more complexity and
opportunity for sociable living. Johnny Grey, Designer
* A modern vision for houses and apartments Alison Brooks, practising
architect and planner
* Living Villages, making collective living and sustainability work. Bob
Tomlinson, MD of Living Villages
* Panel Discussion: Implementation of change - All speakers
There will be morning and afternoon sessions, with lunch and refreshments
served throughout the day followed by a drinks reception.
For more information and to book your tickets to Housing from Heaven,
the first Foresight Design Conference, visit http://www.foresight-design.co.uk.
More conferences will take place throughout 2007 including Mapping the
Future Kitchen, The Gourmet Bathroom and The Emotionally Intelligent House.
REHAU
at interzum 2007
REHAU AG + Co exhibited at interzum 2007 in Cologne and presented a range
of new products and highlights to the specialised audience.
Living in new dimensions
Continuing on the theme of its presentation at the ZOW 2007 with ‘Living
(in) innovation’, REHAU AG + Co opened new perspectives of modern
furniture design for visitors to the exhibition stand at interzum 2007
under the motto ‘Living in new dimensions’.
With a broad approach, the company presented products, surfaces and matched
system solutions for modern living and working spaces to the specialised
audience, consisting of the office, kitchen, living and bedroom furniture
industries, craftsmen, dealers, architects, interior furnishers and designers.
In
keeping with this year's theme of the exhibition, ‘interzum 2007
- The future is all about details’ REHAU also showed its attention
to detail: edgebends which not only trim pieces of furniture, but turn
them into independent, high-contrast design elements, make a new impact.
Functional edgebanding solutions for the latest topic of lightweight construction
permit new designs.
Cabinet roller shutter systems are multifunctional and, apart from their
elegant appearance, feature unique characteristics. ‘Visitors to
the REHAU stand experienced new dimensions and could gain inspiration
from the visions of tomorrow’.
RAUKANTEX impressions - natural can be so extravagant
Whereas the striking wood structures of RAUKANTEX impressions wood were
the focus as a preview of the diverse collection of materials and surface
embossing at the ZOW, REHAU AG + Co presented the whole spectrum of structures
at the interzum 2007 and invited people to feel the unusual exhibits.
The rough structures of ‘stone’ imitate the striking surfaces
of genuine stone and guarantee cool extravagance. With ‘nature’,
realistic embossing gives the edgeband an incomparable appearance and
feel - as unobtrusive as leather, as living as reeds: the diversity of
the variants is almost limitless. ‘creative’ features imaginative
structures and futuristic designs which put the edgeband in the foreground,
whereas the innovating surface embossing of ‘finish’ underscores
the value of the furniture.
Feeling, translucency, high gloss and glass effect - the RAUKANTEX
edgeband trends 2007
Supported by the trend towards more imposing furniture elements such as
worktops and wider frameworks, the edgeband is increasingly becoming a
focus as a design element. Regardless whether as a contrasting feature
or shaped tone-in-tone to the piece of furniture, whether extravagant
or classically unobtrusive - the edgeband is a highlight.
Apart
from expressive embossing and various lacquer effects, the degree of gloss
of a surface plays an important part in a surface in 2007. High gloss
effects which create fabulous highlights or a cool matt shimmer - REHAU
redefines edgebands with different degrees of gloss. Following the ‘retro’
trend, the polymer specialist combines high gloss effects, fresh blue
tones or chocolate brown with its RAUKANTEX duo-color edgebands in a laminated
effect and thereby gives furniture the flair of the 1970's.
In contrast: the futuristic edgebands RAUKANTEX magic. In aluminium or
stainless steel look with cool, modern charm or in the new 3-D design,
these illustrate visions of tomorrow's living. A sign of the future is
also the interpretation of the topic glass surfaces in the RAUKANTEX premium
ranges magic and PP which, orientated to the trend towards ‘translucency’,
create unique effects on fronts, bodies and sides.
Regardless whether clouded glass effect or with the character of real
glass, in unobtrusive green, blue or grey shades - the edgebands open
new perspectives in creative furniture design.
Experience lightness - solutions for lightweight construction applications
Initiated by economic developments such as the increasing shortage of
wood as a raw material and rising transport costs, and also supported
by the trend towards dominant furniture elements, the subject of lightweight
construction has drawn great attention in the past years. REHAU AG + Co
recognised and addressed these tendencies at an early stage and not only
created novel solutions for direct edgebanding on the lightweight boards,
but also developed the supporting edgeband REHAU basic edge, for which
the patent is pending and which permits even the thinnest outer layers
from 3 millimetres to be implemented.
With its involvement in the ‘lightweight.network’, a development
and information network developed by the Egger, REHAU and Hettich Groups,
REHAU also constantly moves this top theme of the furniture industry forwards.
The competence alliance, which received the M-Technology Award at the
ZOW 2007 in the category 'Branch-related services', has the objective
of effectively bundling competence, exploiting synergy effects and thereby
creating extensive, application-oriented system solutions for batten-free
lightweight boards.
Sound intelligently absorbed - cabinet roller shutter system RAUVOLET
acoustic-line
In times of new working methods and organisation structures, the design
of rooms in modern working spaces are also changing significantly. Workplaces
and furniture systems must become flexible and multifunctional, maximum
flexibility is demanded, communications are in the foreground. With the
increasing widening of room structures, the requirement for solutions
to reduce the sound level is increasing.
To fulfil these requirements, the company has developed the sound-absorbing
roller shutter system RAUVOLET acoustic-line, which has been awarded many
highly ranking design and product quality prizes. The novel profile design
in conjunction with a special internal structure permits effective sound
absorption at the front of the cabinet. Noise as a stress factor is reduced,
concentration and performance are promoted.
RAUVOLET metallic-line - makes kitchen dreams come true
Another highlight in the field of shutters is the RAUVOLET metallic-line
range, which was extended this year. Apart from the filigree 20 mm effect
and the harmonious 25 mm design, RAUVOLET metallic-line is now also available
in an innovative 50 mm system. The new, more even design makes it possible
to place the shutters as a design element more firmly than ever in the
eye of the beholder.
Whether in the wall cabinet or as a cabinet fitted on the worktop - fully
pre-assembled cassette solutions for all design variants of the exclusive
shutter system make installation very easy. Modules optimised for the
respective application feature low heights. Even the new system in 50
mm design requires little space when positioned in the carcase. The guide
concept makes this possible and also provides astounding running properties.
Of course, all REHAU cassette systems have proverbial smooth running in
common.
Apart from the aspect of functionality and simple handling, particularly
the RAUVOLET metallic-line puts sophisticated design in the foreground.
Surfaces in smooth aluminium or stainless steel look create a high-class
effect and make the proverbial ‘cool touch’ tangible. In a design
match with edgebands, wall seal systems and plinth covers, RAUVOLET leaves
no wishes unfulfilled in modern kitchen designs.
Service with premium value - the REHAU Express Collection
Fast, flexible, small quantities: the REHAU Express Collection which,
apart from edgebands and tools for their processing, also includes the
solid surface material RAUSOLID and innovative cabinet roller shutter
systems, is chosen optimally for the requirements of dealers and trade
partners. With the ‘PartnerAktiv-Programm’, REHAU AG + CO goes
one step further in service issues. It supports its partners in marketing
matters, has an extensive package of communication tools and organises
training and joint, practical events - just service with premium value.
Another highlight will be provided by REHAU in the future with the shutter
configurer. With this tool, the planning of roller shutter cabinets becomes
a child's game. This configurer, which operates independently of generally
available software, requires only the dimensions of the carcase in which
the cabinet shutter system is to be integrated. This logic is then loaded
by the system, compared with the stored dimensions, finishes and components
of the stock programme and thereby makes it possible to find the optimum
shutter solution for the respective application.
Afterwards, the software generates a complete parts list with which the
order or assembly of the customer-specific cabinet roller shutter can
be executed.
At the interzum 2007, visitors to the REHAU stand had the opportunity
to test the novel shutter configurer and to see live how a finished roller
shutter cabinet is created. From edgebanding of the required boards with
RAUKANTEX edgebands, processing with REHAU Tool to processing of the solid
surface material RAUSOLID to the insertion of the RAUVOLET cabinet roller
shutter.
Appealing
range of decors, innovative material - solid surface material RAUSOLID
Following the current trend to lightweight construction, REHAU AG + Co
also presented a novelty in the RAUSOLID range. By combining RAUSOLID
solid surface material sheets with a supporting sheet made of specially
developed PU foam, lightweight elements are produced which are characterised
by extreme strength and resistance to moisture and a substantial reduction
in weight in comparison with wooden supporting boards.
Apart from these excellent properties, the ‘appealing’ decor
sheet is in the foreground with RAUSOLID . In 2006, seven further decors
were added to the well-known RAUSOLID decors, which are not only known
by their extravagant names such as ‘Zucchero’ or ‘Pistacchio’,
but also by their appearance. The solid surface material is thereby available
in 24 different decors and leaves no customers' wishes unfulfilled with
regard to design. Unobtrusive beige and brown shades (Pulccino and Cassata),
cream colours (Meringa and Magnolia), grey and black (Torrone, Cenere
and Croccante) set the style of the solid surface material RAUSOLID.
Mapping
The Future Kitchen - With an Eye to Happiness: RIBA, London September
12th 2007
The kitchen maybe an exhausted spatial idea but it's a more popular place
to hang out than ever. A modern paradox with its history being part of
an outmoded house planning system - as one room in a series of heat boxes,
linked by corridors. It has morphed effortlessly into the centre of the
home universe or as Wordsworth observed futuristically 'a houseplace'.
As this new open plan space takes over the whole downstairs it dominates
the nature of how we remodel our homes. The new footprint is confusing
- where does it begin and end, and what is it for?
‘We have asked six experts from different fields to provide with
rethinking the template. Going beyond its physical shape the conference
speakers will use new techniques from science to understand our emotional
needs, explore new social trends, the future possibilities of technology
and current design research to help the industry renew the idea of the
kitchen.’
AM
Introduction: Stephen Bayley
1. Kitchen Happiness from commitment to escape - exploring different accounts
of what makes us happy plays out in kitchens
Charlie Leadbeater
2. Kitchen design as a vehicle for happiness - from sanctuary to sociability
and active space
Johnny Grey, designer, author and Foresight creative director.
3. The brain and the kitchen will examine how to use neuro-design to deepen
and expand design skills and reveal the hidden neuroscientist inside you.
Professor John Zeisel, author and Board Member of the Academy of Neuroscience
for Architecture.
Lunch
4. Rethinking ergonomics; bringing emotion and sensuality to the process
of measurement
Professor Mark Porter, head of design ergonomics Loughborough University
5. All senses a kitchen: transforming ideas from emotional life to product.
Research, collaboration and understanding the new directions in the wider
context of kitchen living.
Alessandro Finetto, Global Design director, Whirlpool
6. IKEA and its future vision Jorgen Gunnarsson, IKEA or Stephen Bayley
on the idea of kitchen set in a cultural and historical perspective -
all to be confirmed
7. The changing face of affluence and the influence of aspirational marketing
Kevin Henry, CEO Alno USA
Panel discussion
All of the above
Drinks
Web:
http://www.foresight-design.co.uk
Extra Descriptions Of Talks
John Zeisel
Design has a new instrument or an under utilised area of study - brain
science. Understanding the workings of the brain allows us to expand and
deepen design skills. John will be exploring how we can translate our
own experiences into designing for others and help find the hidden neuroscientist
inside you. He will outline simple methods to determine clients often
concealed needs in their kitchen environments and how to sell neuro-design
to interested clients.
Kevin Henry
The luxury consumer drives the market or do they? Not only are the rich
getting richer, but they are breaking colour, age and economic boundaries
and leaving the stereotype of American and European wealth behind.
We will explore what motivates them to buy, what turns them off and examine
the power and influence of ‘brand’, how ‘aspiration’
is the most important factor in the buying decision. The next client wants
more than physical product and is seeking spiritual satisfaction and global
responsibility. And move over Suzy Homemaker and make room for the Alpha
Male. He's got money, style and the need to entertain. The Masculine Kitchen
redefines the modern kitchen as we know it now. It is where his day begins
and the party ends.
Johnny Grey
Kitchen design as a vehicle for happiness - from sanctuary to sociability
and active space
As the kitchen switches into the active living place that supports our
lives we need new, expanded design skills to design. Johnny will reveal
how he designs happy spaces zconsider the kitchen from new vantage points,
mixing design history, the end of walls, the evolution of our behaviour
at home, de-pressurised planning, why we need to set the imagination on
fire for clients and ourselves and how we can create happy kitchen environments.
Charlie Leadbeater
Kitchen Happiness from commitment to escape - exploring different accounts
of what makes us happy plays out in kitchens.
A sense of fantasy or sanctuary, both are evident in kitchens. We dream
about being great cooks, holding wonderful dinner parties, fridges full
of organised food, but another account is that happiness comes from commitment
and foregoing material pleasures. In a sense they are also evident in
kitchens because they are now presented fundamentally as social places,
rather than just to cook or labour in. They are where people meet, talk,
relax. How do these different aspects become reconciled? Charlie will
talk about this in his presentation bringing his background in social,
economic and technological spheres into play.
Alessandro Finetto
All Senses kitchen - transforming ideas from emotional life to product.
Research and collaboration with IKEA, the Futures Laboratory and others
has given Whirlpool a new understanding of kitchen living. In today's
turbulent life the home is a haven of stability with the kitchen like
a town square - an intersection, Mission Control rolled into one with
the bonus of making tangible things using our hands as well as all our
senses. Alessandro will talk about transformation, how to adapt a physical
space with functional demands to suit a new generation of householders
with a different mindset.
Mark Porter
Title: Rethinking ergonomics; bringing emotion and sensuality to the process
of measurement
Ergonomics underpins design, yet many designers have yet to take full
advantage of recent sophisticated developments. Mark's work at Loughborough
University has been to create tools that meet designers' needs and promote
knowledge and empathy with future users.
He will talk about project HADRIAN which uses techniques that can be integrated
within design practice using holistic data covering physical, cognitive
and emotional characteristics to improve design accuracy. In addition
Mark will outline an exciting new research project entitled RealPeople,
an interactive DVD design resource developed around a 'four pleasure'
framework that helps us understand how individual's pleasures vary. He
will apply this to how we design kitchens and related products.