On the move: the next125 Trolley

The rigid attribution of fixed functions and activities to rooms in the home has long since begun to dissolve. Kitchens, for example, are opening up more and more and today often merge into living areas.

The entire living space can ultimately become a home office, but also a wellness zone or a culinary DIY restaurant. At the moment, many people around the world are spending more time at home because of the current situation, and many also appreciate the ability it has afforded to, for example, communicate with colleagues on their laptops from the kitchen.

But the more flexible we are in terms of location when working, relaxing or pursuing our hobbies at home, the greater the necessity to transport the things we need from one room to another. These can be all kinds of items: carafes and glasses, pens and paints, laptops and tablets.

next125, the premium brand of kitchen manufacturer Schüller, has developed the elegant and practical ’Trolley’ for precisely these situations, which invites us to bring more movement into our everyday living, because it was designed in such a way that it can appealingly accommodate a variety of different objects and transport them from A to B.

I asked the designers involved to tell me a little more about the goals, background and design process of the ‘Trolley’ project. Because as natural an addition to the living space that it may be, as clear and well-thought-out its construction, there has to be an initial spark, a reason for creating it in the first place. Serving trolleys, of course, have a long tradition, but what exactly provided the impetus for this new interpretation?

The answer: ‘We noticed a trend towards mobile pieces of furniture, especially when it comes to connecting different living and functional spaces. But we also noticed that there were not many convincing solutions for the kitchen. So we came up with the idea of designing a mobile kitchen aid that formally matches a next125 kitchen and combines aesthetics and function.’

Thanks to its variable elements, it can be adapted to different needs very easily. According to the designers' idea, the Trolley should primarily serve as a useful tool in the kitchen and dining areas to support in food preparation and service, or, as a mobile bar. But its uses are not limited to the kitchen – its simple appearance makes it just as suitable for use in other areas such as the bedroom.

next125 Kitchens are characterised by clear lines and a reduced design language, but how exactly did the design team find this congenial shape for the trolley? ‘It all started with a “cut-out” cube, so to speak. Through sketches, prototypes and testing, the final shape became increasingly clear. The cubic design is unique and timeless, but, at the same time, offers multiple storage options.’

The design process is made clear in a short film produced by next125, in which the form-finding is made comprehensible through drawings. The design team comments: ‘The challenge with the trolley was that we wanted it to have a very filigree appearance. We achieved this by bending and joining the shell from a 4mm thick aluminium sheet – without any visible welding seams.’

The ‘Trolley’ is offered in three versions for different purposes: as a kitchen, serving or bar trolley. The basic body with four castors and a bar handle in onyx black is identical in each case. However, the additional equipment in natural oak gives users the opportunity to individualise it. The ‘Trolley’ fits under the next125 cooking table as part of a kitchen unit or it can simply be used as a small mobile piece of furniture.

With the Best of Interior Award and the German Design Award, next125’s ‘Trolley’ has already won two prestigious prizes. But as a newcomer, it still has a long way to go – not just in relation to awards, but trips around the house too: for example, from the kitchen to the study and back again!

© Architonic