Multi-Housing News - October 2008 - (Page 34)

products High-Tech Kitchens Residents want energy efficiency and digital applications—in a streamlined presentation By Erika Schnitzer, Associate Editor With advances in technology an everyday occurrence, residents are coming to expect the most up-to-date features in the heart of their homes—the kitchen. As this space becomes more of an extended living area, residents are anticipating the kitchen to contain sleeker, technologically enhanced and more energyefficient appliances. “It’s really about looking for an electronic-type of appliance,” says Sanford Steinberg, AIA, Steinberg Design Collaborative LLP, Houston, explaining that electronic displays are becoming more desirable than a simple knob. Such displays often fade away once selections are made, creating a clutter-free look, which is appealing to those using the kitchen as a social gathering place. And, as in everywhere else in life, the more gadgets, the better. “In the higher-end condos, you see more accessories, like a warming drawer and a built-in coffeemaker,” Steinberg says. Under-counter beverage centers are also popular in some markets. Keeping with the idea of a sleeker, more streamlined kitchen, Ed Hodges, AIA, principal, DiMella Shaffer, Boston, notes an increased interest in the integration of appliances with the rest of the kitchen, since it tends to be open to the living area. “It’s the trend toward the built-in look or that the appliances are close to the color of the cabinetry,” he says, which is why cabinet-depth refrigerators are gaining in popularity. “The white kitchen is coming back, but there’s still a fair amount of wood,” Hodges notes, adding that some people are shying away from stainless steel—which has become something of a standard—given its high maintenance, and are turning instead to a warmer, bronze color. When residents choose to upgrade, they look at the refrigerator, says Steinberg. The trend there seems to be toward a French Door with a bottom pullout freezer. In the northeast luxury market, Hodges has observed a separation of the refrigerator and freezer “to allow units to be more in scale” and to open up the space more. Both trends seem to allow more accessibility for items used most frequently. Steinberg and Hodges agree that Energy Star is becoming more common in appliances. In the southeast market, Steinberg observes that Energy Star is the standard. “Some regulations are forcing the appliances to be more energy-efficient or more accurate about being energy efficient,” says Hodges. Dishwashers and refrigerators are using new technologies to monitor energy efficiency, including more energy-saving cycle options that include smaller loads and wireless signals that alert users when a preset temperature has been reached. MHN To comment, e-mail erika.schnitzer@multi-housingnews.com 1 2 3 Electrolux’s [1] new Energy Star-certified dishwasher features the largest usable capacity in its class and a “Sure-2Fit” racking system, allowing room for over 180 items. Wave-touch controls offer an uncluttered display with options fading away once selections are made. Available in stainless steel, black, white and panel-ready, the dishwasher offers up to nine wash cycles and five wash options, including “My Favorite,” a programmable setting (www.electroluxappliances.com)…Liebherr’s [2] WU 4000 undercounter 40-bottle wine cooler is 24-in. wide and features two temperature zones. With wood shelving and a tinted 4 glass door, the cooler offers a vibration-free compressor to keep it quiet, and LED lighting allows for less additional heat (www.liebherr-appliances.com)…The Independence Series refrigerators from Miele [3] feature MasterCool controls, providing a food-driven menu system that is adjustable to four independent cooling zones. The series also includes a SuperCool setting that overrides the thermostat when a compartment is stocked, and RemoteVision that uses wireless technology to provide residents with temperature and performance data (www.miele.com)…Flush-mounted, Thermador’s [4] Dual-Fuel Pro Harmony Range coordinates with 24-in. cabinets. It offers the 3-in-1 star burner, which includes 15,000 BTUs for fast boiling, a five-point star-shaped design for even heat distribution and ExtraLow simmer that cycles the flame for simmer control. The oven features convection, an electronic control system and a two-hour self-clean cycle (www.thermador.com). For weekly product introductions, visit www.multi-housingnews.com/productgallery. 34 October 2008 | Multi-Housing News | Producer of Multi-Housing World http://www.electroluxappliances.com http://www.electroluxappliances.com http://www.liebherr-appliances.com http://www.miele.com http://www.thermador.com http://www.multi-housingnews.com/productgallery

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Multi-Housing News - October 2008

Multi-Housing News - October 2008
Contents
From the Editor
MHN TV Premieres
Market Pulse
Special Report: MHN 2008 Design Awards
Development & Design: Mirabella
Market Report: Chicago, Kansas City
Property Management: Tracking Residents’ Tech Wish Lists
Finance: Freddie Mac/Fannie Mae
Tech Report: Marketing Web sites
Products: Appliances

Multi-Housing News - October 2008