Are you getting your greens?: Agrilution Plantcube

A particular appliance is currently causing quite a sensation. At first glance, it resembles a refrigerator – but for its mysterious glow. Through its glass door, in the glow of variously coloured LEDs, microgreens and lettuce leaves can be made out in drawers on two levels. But just what is this device?

Innovations always prompt questions – nothing unusual there. Indeed, this underlines the importance right now, in its launch phase, of explaining the concept behind this product – the Plantcube – to as many people as possible: architects and interior decorators, kitchen designers and end-consumers.

This is, naturally, easiest and most effective in the presence of the object itself, which in this case isn’t at all puzzling or complicated. On the contrary, design simplicity and ease of use are central concerns of the two minds behind the Plantcube: Munich residents Maximilian Lössl and Philipp Wagner, who founded the start-up Agrilution to realise their vision of accommodating large-vertical-farm technology in the smallest possible space.

The first appliances from serial production were presented a few months ago in the Living Kitchen section of the international furnishings fair, imm cologne. “That was a soft launch,” explains Lössl. “Now we’re ready to really take off.”

The Plantcube can already be experienced live in numerous showrooms and premium speciality kitchen stores across Germany. The addresses are listed in the ‘Showroom’ section of www.agrilution.com. Wagner adds, “We’re currently expanding our partner network – first and foremost to Benelux, Austria and Switzerland.”

It is an exciting time for the two entrepreneurs, who met while playing basketball in school. This is the moment when their vision is becoming a reality; the first orders are coming in and magazines and TV channels are taking up the subject. After all, the idea of vertical farming, of cultivating plants in modular, tiered units, is in fashion. And this is exactly what the Plantcube does – in a form that is optimised for private use.

Salads, microgreens and herbs that make any meal healthier and tastier with their high amount of nutrients can be grown and harvested very simply in one’s own home. Without pesticides, long transport routes or regard for the season. “With the Plantcube, we’re replacing the famous gardener’s green thumb with algorithms from the cloud,” says Lössl.

An important component of the system is the seed-containing mats that have been specially developed and tailor-made for the Plantcube. Up to eight different seed mats can be laid in the Plantcube at once – including such unusual varieties as red pak choi and Wasabina mustard – without laborious digging and planting.

No need to worry about any of the other aspects of conventional growing either, like providing water or light: the LED Plant Light developed in cooperation with Osram guarantees optimal lighting conditions for plant growth, watering is provided by the integrated water tank and the ideal climate is also ensured. An app keeps the owner informed about the plants’ status and when which greens can be harvested.

Everything here is based on the principle of ‘plug and play’ – and this is key when trying to win over target groups to the Plantcube who, up until now, have little or no experience with growing and caring for microgreens, lettuce or herbs. Thus, the self-contained system is especially compelling for urban dwellers who place value on good nutrition and stylish design.

And on that subject: the rational design language of the Plantcube will appeal to those who appreciate clean, modern lines in their living space and kitchen. The device is reserved in both colour and form, can be integrated into a wide range of kitchen systems – in the Poggenpohl Segmento Y, for example – and doesn’t put the aesthetics of the plants themselves in the foreground.

The Plantcube is designed by Simon Lechner, a member of the Agrilution team. Its materials have been thoughtfully chosen to guarantee quality and longevity. The body is made of robust, powder-coated metal, and the door frame of anodised aluminium. The design is brought to perfection by glass that is enamelled on the back side. The device therefore doesn’t come across as a technoid, foreign object, but rather becomes an integral element to, and an aesthetic highlight of, any kitchen.

© Architonic