"smart & flexible" – Living Future

The first results will be on display in January 2014 during international furniture exhibition imm cologne 2014 in Cologne, Germany, when DuPont™ Corian® presents its new concept study “Modern Nomads”. For the implementation of the study, DuPont was able to partner with well-known international designers and fabricators: Paul Flowers, Designer-in-Chief of Grohe AG developed the furnishings for the bathroom. His elaborate designs have been expertly fabricated by longtime Corian® Quality Network partner Moser GmbH from Haslach. The design and fabrication of the objects shown in the kitchen have been masterminded by Corian® Quality Network partner Norbert Brakonier from Gusterath and Luxemburg. In addition, DuPont™ Corian® launches in Cologne its new colour concept DeepColour™ Technology (patent pending): Deeper, more intense and more durable colours with improved wear performance and easier fabrication.

Demographic Change

The initial situation is easily portrayed: While the German population is steadily decreasing while more and more people – no matter of age – live in single or double households. Whereas the number of households made up of three people or more is also on the decline. At the same time people tend to be more mobile, use innovative technical devices to plan and organize their lives and relocate several times during their lives. “Modern Nomads” portrays the consequences of these developments for kitchens and bathrooms and focuses on following aspects:

Intrinsic Values: Small, urban living spaces require intelligent interiors which grant comfort on a relatively small scale, where functionality and flexibility are the key words.

Mobility: Frequent relocations necessitate modular furnishings to have a maximum of flexibility.

Sustainability: Generally starts in the privacy of one’s home and triggers the desire for long lasting furniture which can adapt easily to changing living circumstances.

Furniture as partitions: Strictly sectionalized floor plans are out-dated. Furniture will be used to compartmentalize large rooms.

Fluent spaces: In the future the home will be divided according to the needs and desires of its owners - hygiene, logistics, entertainment, love, work, sport.

Technology: Will play an increasingly stronger part of everyday life and should be easily available at all times. This will include constantly accessible methods of recharging mobile devices everywhere in the home.

Tradition and Modernity: The Bathroom

The objects designed by Paul Flowers have little in common with conventional bathroom furniture of the past. They incorporate developments of an advancing society, answer a growing desire for mobility without uprooting or ignoring the changing circumstances of the different phases of one’s life.

Paul Flowers favors homelike, flexible, individual pieces of furniture, separated from the walls. The pieces are freestanding, can be easily moved and enable individuality and mobility irrespective of the home owner’s age. Every piece can create its own little island of comfort and well-being, adapts to changing circumstances and new layouts. The details and materials of these designs form a perfect aesthetical und functional unit. Integrated power cords with colourful textile lining, striking chrome links, delicate oak legs, functional towel racks, indirect RGB Lighting as well as surfaces made of hygienic, easy to maintain Corian® form a bridge between function and design. Coloured in Corian® Glacier White and Corian® Deep Nocturne, the designs are at the same time modern and traditional: Intentional references to historic elements such as the “zuber” tub are treasured reminders of things long past.

In addition, the designs include an interesting technology feature: With the help of wireless technology water is digitalized; bathroom furniture serves as an interface between the human and technology, Chrome taps „Strio 7“ from Grohe are operated with a digital control unit which can be installed anywhere on the sink, bathtub or shower. The mechanization of the bathroom not only offers more mobility but equally supports Paul Flower’s sustainability concept: Sophisticated controls and pre-set water temperatures help to reduce water consumption.

Mobility and Sustainability: The Kitchen

Nobert Brakonier’s futuristic kitchen design incorporates not only new functions and innovative ideas of organization but combines two truly essential values: mobility and sustainability.

The idea of mobility becomes evident in the flexible, interchangeable modules which in this case contain a refrigerator, an oven and a kitchen sink. To further support the idea of mobility and in order to minimize installation time, all modules are hooked up to a special docking unit, supplying them with water and electricity. Skillfully incorporated storage spaces, immersible tabs, flexible water supply and electricity outlets as well as bar stools that can be hidden in the unit ensure that available space is used in an optimal, easily accessible and demand-oriented way. While different functions of the modules are not immediately visible, intensive colours – Corian® Glacier White and Corian® Deep Nocturne –, unusual edge trimming and seamless joints contribute to its appearance of a beautiful sideboard.

Sustainability is equally featured in this exceptional kitchen design: It is present in the high-quality fabrication, reduced layout and the selection of materials. Surface and corpus of the installation are made of quickly re-growing poplar wood and durable, recyclable Corian® which can be easily maintained. Both components are joined in a practical sandwich construction.

A further highlight of the design is the special work surface. On demand, it can be swiveled into the room and serves as kitchen workplace or writing desk. Thereby, the multi-functional kitchen modules take on an additional role as living room or home office furniture. The work surface contains an integrated wireless recharging system for smart phones and tablets. Wireless LAN, hidden speakers, and additional power outlets further support the multi-functional usage.