Living space kitchen

At the beginning of the 20th century the Futurists exalted it to the rank of a deity: la macchina.

Functionalism teaches that form shall follow function. A caffettiera proves what it means to take “form follows function” literally.

EuroCucina, which runs parallel to Milan’s Salone del Mobile, offers furniture for people who would love to cook. And shows the latest status objects that straddle architecture and design. A tour.

In its heyday Braun set the benchmark, designing everyday objects destined to serve as “quiet assistants”. Now Braun licensee De’Longhi is relaunching some of the historical designs. But beware: What might at first sight seem to be the respectful cultivation of revered traditions is nothing but whitewash.

Maxie Eisen is the latest culinary addition to the renowned district round Frankfurt’s main station. The bistro-and-bar is not only the new place-to-be for fans of pastrami but will – thanks to the stylish interiors by the likes of Jean Prouvé and Ilmari Tapiovaara – equally appeal to lovers of good design. Only the mafia should have been kept outside.

Following the hype about coffee, everyone is suddenly drinking tea. Which brought the teapot back into the designers’ sights. Small, plump and in the Japanese style, it was the shooting star at the Ambiente consumer goods fair in Frankfurt. We present the most stylish examples in a picture gallery.

Enjoying a TV dinner or simply eating with your laptop on your knees? Does either have much to do with cultured meals? And can you use plates, cups and the like made by three Modernist mega-hitters to this end, namely Wilhelm Wagenfeld, Tapio Wirkkala and Timo Sarpaneva? The exhibition on “Vom Stand der Dinge” in Bremen explores these questions, with the help of 11 contemporary designers.

“Werner Aisslinger – Home of the Future” is currently on display in Berlin’s Haus am Waldsee, an exhibition space for contemporary art. A designer presenting his work in the art context: Can that be a good thing?

This year, those who wanted to see innovative kitchen design, were not restricted to the Milan trade fair grounds but had to traipse around the showrooms scattered across the city.

In conversation with Norbert Wangen about his new "k20", what you learn from snagging your fingers, and the slowness required when designing.

What does a luxurious kitchen look like these days? Is it there for show, or does it serve other purposes? "Shifting Contexts" was the motto of an evening at the Bulthaup showroom in Milan's via Durini.

The imm cologne furniture fair is currently making a comeback, not just thanks to efforts being made to once again provide dedicated labels and manufacturers with a sophisticated platform, but also because of its grand new kitchen show, "Living Kitchen". While experienced trade fair visitors may have wondered what the name referred to ("the kitchen is alive" or perhaps "living the kitchen"?) one thing is clear: Kitchens are the new hot topic that electrifies professional visitors and the general public alike.

Something is brewing, not only in German homes. The interaction between cultures has also grown more intense in the kitchen. Take Poggenpohl: one of the premium German kitchen manufacturers it has been particularly successful in the Gulf Region. We asked why that is and about their experiences there.

What are we to believe: Is the German Pavilion once again a disappointment? Or has Liam Gillick delivered exactly what was to be expected of him?