Gaggenau offers an immersive experience at Milan Design Week

Not just hot air: when Gaggenau brought steam into private kitchens 23 years ago, its combi-steam oven sparked a new trend. Since then, it has been full steam ahead into the future of cooking, and to this day, the brand keeps following its trajectory of innovation. The only factors that remain contsant are Gaggenau's three focal points: the designer's vision, high-quality materials and excellent craftsmanship.

Because Gaggenau is always testing modern technologies and new possibilities, further ideas are constantly being worked on in the background. This is one of the reasons why their revolutionary combi-steam oven now has convenient automatic programmes that assist amateur chefs to achieve results at the highest level. Everything has been thought of, from the intuitive TFT display to fully automatic cleaning and an automatic door opening function.

At this year's Fuorisalone in Milan, Gaggenau will not only present itself as a manufacturer of first-class kitchen appliances, but also as a company that inspires architects and planners all over the world. 'This year, we want to give an insight into the soul of Gaggenau,' explains head designer Sven Baacke. That is why the presentation is not to be found as an innovation at EuroCucina, but as an experience at Fuorisalone.

To make its sensual project a reality, Gaggenau has chosen a special location away from the trade fair that captures the life of the design metropolis of Milan and at the same time provides peace and quiet so that visitors can enjoy the exhibition. The Villa Necchi Campiglio – not far from Milan's cathedral – also offers space to break with conventions and convey a love of life.

Villa Necchi Campiglio, which is famous far beyond the Italian architectural scene, was built by the well-known architect Piero Portaluppi in the early 1930s for the Necchi siblings Vittorio, Nedda and Gigina, as well as Gigina's husband Angelo Campiglio. After the war, Portaluppi's expression of the modern lifestyle was combined with the classical style of the 18th century by Tomaso Buzzi, to tie in with the tradition of Italian palazzi.

'It is precisely this special mix that suits Gaggenau perfectly,' explains Sven Baacke: 'We like to describe our design ethos as traditional avant-garde.' This year's exhibition, entitled 'A Statement of Form', represents Gaggenau's innovative spirit.

The materials, design and architecture of Gaggenau are to become tangible for all senses at Fuorisalone and serve as inspiration for new living spaces. At the heart of the exhibition is an installation with an extraordinary design. 'With the immersive installation and its activation, we make our brand promise tangible for the architecture and design community,' explains Global Business Development Manager Victoria McKay, 'providing them with ideas and inspiration for future, joint projects is clearly our focus here.'

A walk-in sculpture was developed that far exceeded the planners' expectations even during the test run. 'You can feel the quality when you touch the marble, even hear it when you walk across the floor,' Sven Baacke reports of this extraordinary experience. 'At the core of the sculpture you can even feel what steam is really about and how powerful it is.'

The sculpture in the glass pavilion of the villa not only allows the premium quality of materials such as glass, stainless steel, marble, real wood and ceramics to be grasped, but gives an all-round sense of the Gaggenau design philosophy. 'This is about a whole set of perfectly crafted products that fit together,' explains Peter Goetz, Managing Director of Gaggenau, referring to the resulting harmony typical of Gaggenau.

The exhibition is being realised in collaboration with important partners. For A Statement of Form, Gaggenau uses Lithoverde by marble master Salvatori – a newly created block of marble made of fragments that creates a stunning effect through different shades. The handmade tiles by Keramik Kaufmann also fit into the special concept without losing their very own power and effect.

To make the Gaggenau world a culinary experience, Christian Jürgens will be preparing delicacies for visitors live on site every day. The three-star chef is a long-time partner of the company and shares its passion for the highest quality.

In addition to the steam oven, a Gaggenau novelty will have its official premiere at Salone: the versatile Culinary Warming Drawer. This powerful innovation can not only keep food warm effectively, but also cook it gently and – thanks to Home Connect – can be controlled remotely in combination with other appliances from the sophisticated brand's full range.

The event in Milan will be rounded off by panel talks with seasoned experts from the design and architecture industry. At Villa Necchi Campiglio, Gaggenau will be opening the first page of a new company chapter and present a whole new world of possibilities to architects and planners.

© Architonic