IMAGE: MVRDV © MARTIN RIJPSTRA Kitchen Infinity · Maas, co-founder of MVRDV. This makes for...
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103 SEPTEMBER 2016 DESIGN / KITCHEN unseen. ‘If we imagine that everything is transparent, doesn’t it then mean that the only thing that is colourful is our food? And doesn’t it imply that we are encouraged to love the food and it becomes even more healthy, if not sexy?’ asks Winy Maas, co-founder of MVRDV. This makes for fairy-tale architecture – a narrative based around a passive unit that is activated by the enticing colours of food and production processes. However, as with many conceptual projects, there are practical difficulties. For instance, the advantages of being able to quickly locate pots and pans are negated by the difficulties of cleaning up afterwards. ‘I see this as a part of a larger dream of moving towards a city that is transparent VRDV designed the Infinity Kitchen, a transparent kitchen module, for a satellite event at this year’s Venice Biennale. By exposing the nuts and bolts of a kitchen unit, the studio aimed to probe present-day culinary experiences and question regulations in the kitchen and hospitality industries. Barring external appliances such as the fridge and dishwasher, the shelves, cupboards, utensils and taps are all transparent. This unexpected attribute makes users question their use of space, encouraging them to be judicious about storage and the creation of waste – in short, making them aware of the formerly Infinity Kitchen MVRDV’s transparent design is a celebration of colourful, healthy food (but a devil to keep clean …) BY VISHANKA GANDHI IMAGE: MVRDV © MARTIN RIJPSTRA M and thus more accessible,’ says Maas. In this regard, playful imagination is given centre stage, and the project works well as an experimental design endeavour. Of course, the intention in such works is to reshape the formal landscape of architecture, but they also allow naysayers to accuse the profession of being self-indulgent. Though aimed at creating a paradigm shift in culinary experience, the Infinity Kitchen dictates and enforces the use of space, rather than generating an experience that responds to the behaviour and needs of people. These concerns make one wonder about the validity of the exercise. But then, being a starchitect comes with its privileges. 03-Design-Kitchen-AW_JJ_NJ.indd 103 18/07/2016 09:17
Transcript of IMAGE: MVRDV © MARTIN RIJPSTRA Kitchen Infinity · Maas, co-founder of MVRDV. This makes for...
103SEPTEMBER 2016
DESIGN / KITCHEN
unseen. ‘If we imagine that everything is transparent, doesn’t it then mean that the only thing that is colourful is our food? And doesn’t it imply that we are encouraged to love the food and it becomes even more healthy, if not sexy?’ asks Winy Maas, co-founder of MVRDV.
This makes for fairy-tale architecture – a narrative based around a passive unit that is activated by the enticing colours of food and production processes. However, as with many conceptual projects, there are practical difficulties. For instance, the advantages of being able to quickly locate pots and pans are negated by the difficulties of cleaning up afterwards.
‘I see this as a part of a larger dream of moving towards a city that is transparent
VRDV designed the Infinity Kitchen, a transparent kitchen module, for a satellite event at this year’s Venice Biennale. By exposing the nuts and
bolts of a kitchen unit, the studio aimed to probe present-day culinary experiences and question regulations in the kitchen and hospitality industries.
Barring external appliances such as the fridge and dishwasher, the shelves, cupboards, utensils and taps are all transparent. This unexpected attribute makes users question their use of space, encouraging them to be judicious about storage and the creation of waste – in short, making them aware of the formerly
Infinity Kitchen
MVRDV’s transparent design is a celebration of colourful, healthy
food (but a devil to keep clean …)
BY VISHANKA GANDHI
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M and thus more accessible,’ says Maas. In this regard, playful imagination is given centre stage, and the project works well as an experimental design endeavour.
Of course, the intention in such works is to reshape the formal landscape of architecture, but they also allow naysayers to accuse the profession of being self-indulgent. Though aimed at creating a paradigm shift in culinary experience, the Infinity Kitchen dictates and enforces the use of space, rather than generating an experience that responds to the behaviour and needs of people. These concerns make one wonder about the validity of the exercise. But then, being a starchitect comes with its privileges.
03-Design-Kitchen-AW_JJ_NJ.indd 103 18/07/2016 09:17
