A couple of days ago, I came across a Danish kitchen design company called HTH. The kitchen company specializes on kitchen design that is made with high quality materials and innovative design which is typical for Danish design. Like the famous public speaker William Morris used once the words “Useful” and “Beautiful” in his debate about design, and these words have followed a definition of good design since that time. Usefulness alone is not enough to produce a good design, because we expect it to deliver more. Like functionality, originality, aesthetic and quality. The company also focus on smart solutions, like customizing their consumers needs and to make the most out of kitchens in varies of sizes. What fascinated me the most is how they are able to use innovative solutions and technology to utilize every single square of the kitchen.
I have noticed that many apartments in big cities and especially one/two room apartments have a tiny kitchen where the need for space is extremely important. A huge trend is also tiny living, where people want to live in small spaces to be more environmentally friendly and to save money. All of these examples have one thing in common: how to take utilize the space in a small kitchen?
As an example, I came across when looking into HTH´s design is their new worktop ID which is for example a baking machine that is hidden underneath the kitchen counter that you can easily control with a button, to make the machine go up when you need it. When it is not in use, you can simply use the button to make it go down to free storage space from your counter top. (please see picture underneath) This design is very clever for a small kitchen, and also for elderly people that would like easy access to their baking machine as it can be hard to move around.
A struggle that will always exist is the lack of storage space, and many people wish for more counter space in the kitchen. HTH have solved this problem with their new innovative Worktop ID which provides excellent design and function. Design always has a designated function, HTH´s function has a practical purpose with a commercial value. I call it good design because it has a combination of different qualities, it fulfills its function by being effective and easy in use.
“When design meets life s.45-60”
Rawsthorn (2013)
Picture: Myself
Making sense of art and design industries 