Multi-Housing News - September 2009 - (Page 36)

kitchen & bath Differentiate Yourself Fetch a premium with green materials and local construction By Erika Schnitzer, Associate Editor 1 Much of the higher achievable premium in multifamily residences may be attributed to the kitchen space. In fact, “The kitchen, in particular, is one of the assets that helps determine the marketability of multi-housing properties,” notes Dario Snaidero, president and CEO of Snaidero USA Inc. “If the kitchen model chosen for the building is a product of great design and high quality, the market value of each single unit—as well as of the entire building—increases considerably,” adds Snaidero, who defines “luxury” as “the result of fusing together innovative design and outstanding quality.” Therefore cabinets—which offer flexibility in regard to space, price point and sustainability options—should be at the 2 top of the list of products to be considered when developing new and existing multifamily communities. “Over the past several months, we have seen that distance, language and culture, as well as the flux in the Euro and the rising cost of transportation, have set in motion a desire for an alternative,” asserts Kevin M. Henry, executive vice president for Bazzèo LLC. “There is a growing interest among American consumers to buy American when they can.” Despite this trend, which is being fueled by the green factor of using local goods, Henry notes, “It has only been recently that products that are contemporary in design, green in nature and made in the USA have been available.” Regardless of this increased consumer desire to purchase locally made goods, the craving for something somewhat more exotic often remains. The Bazzèo kitchen, for example, is—despite its exotic name—an American-made, green kitchen that “sounds rich and has an international feel to it,” which, when combined with its sustainable aspects, often helps to sell clients on the series, notes Henry. Certainly the demand for a European product has not disappeared—but the offerings from abroad must be that much more appealing. Some companies, such as Alno and Snaidero, for example, pride themselves in their ability to maximize the kitchen space. And this is an absolute must in multi-housing projects. “In the current economy, it is not so much about increased profit as it is about closing the deal,” asserts Henry. In that regard, differentiation is key. It is important to ask, “What is the American consumer looking for? With so many properties unsold, what makes your property different than the next?” To comment, e-mail erika.schnitzer@nielsen.com 3 See Lutron’s eco-minder dimmer, and other product introductions, at MHN’s Online Product Gallery. Visit www.multi-housingnews.com/productgallery. Alno’s Starline Collection [1] features a continuous case channel composed of the same material and finish as the door and drawer fronts, and no exterior door or drawer hardware is required. The series provides the user with the option to mix or match channel finishes with the front finish. All of the company’s products utilize non-toxic paints and lacquers, are free from heavy metals, are low in emissions and are FSC (Forest Stewardship Council)-certified. The company’s factory also adheres to a “zero waste” resource management system, whereby all waste is either reconstituted into new materials or used as fuel to heat the factory. The collection is available in three models: Highline, Natureline and Smartline (pictured), which features melamine resin coatings and is available in four colors and two wood finishes (www.alnousa.com)…The first eco-centric, contemporary kitchen collection made in the U.S., Bazzèo’s Gaia collection [2] is made completely from recycled and recyclable materials. The cabinet box is made from 100 percent recycled wood fiber particleboard, held together with a formaldehyde-free resin. In addition, the kitchen is produced using non-toxic lacquers, laminates, aluminum, glass and technical veneers, and the line may contribute toward LEED credits. The Bazzèo factory also features a “zero waste” resource management system (www.bazzeo.com)…Snaidero’s Orange [3] is designed using FSC-certified wood, as well as water-based paints and varnishes. Furthermore, the panels’ emission levels are CARB (California Air Resources Board)-compliant. These kitchen cabinets can be customized in both height and width to ensure optimal use of any space, and handles are fitted on the top of the base cabinets’ doors, as well as the sides in the upper cabinets and columns, providing a grip that makes it easy to open doors, drawers and pull-out baskets. Columns can house any built-in appliance and storage units come fully accessorized (www.snaidero-usa.com). 36 September 2009 | Multi-Housing News http://www.alnousa.com http://www.bazzeo.com http://www.multi-housingnews.com/productgallery http://www.snaidero-usa.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Multi-Housing News - September 2009

Multi-Housing News - September 2009
Contents
From the Editor
Letters to the Editor
Executive Insight: Jack Kern
Market Pulse
Conversation with Shaun Donovan
Property Management
Global Market Report
Development & Design: Low-Rise
Directory: Top Architects
Kitchen & Bath: Cabinets
Products: Leasing Tools
Technology: Lead Management
NMHC Notebook

Multi-Housing News - September 2009