The countdown to the Wallpaper* Design Awards has begun. Starting today and for the next nine days leading up to the awards ceremony, we will be presenting the shortlist for the International Judges' Awards, exclusively on Wallpaper.com. To start the ball rolling, here are the contenders for best domestic appliance. All winners will be announced on the 11th of January.
Ceramic speakers
by Broberg Ridderstråle
What would sound look like? Graduates from Stockholm’s Konstfack University, Mats Broberg and Johan Ridderstråle moved away from the black box-shaped speaker and created a set of white ceramic speakers utilising the symbol of sound as their inspiration. ‘It’s the universal icon of noise,’ says Ridderstråle of the truncated cone shape, which sits at the perfect angle to produce optimum sound.
www.brda.se
‘Cyclone’ vacuum cleaner
by Chiaki Murata, for Metaphys
Japanese engineer-turned-industrial designer Chiaki Murata creates products that are, simply put, dictated by human behaviour. The shapes, curves and dimensions feel right for users. He stripped the design of his ‘Cyclone’ cleaner down to the essentials and came up with a sensible, elegant appliance with no too-short cables (it’s cordless), no bulky hose (it tucks away) and the sveltest of handles.
www.metaphys.jp
‘Dolce’ tap
by Birgit Lohmann, for Fantini
Transforming functional kitchen appliances into chic design is no easy feat, but Birgit Lohmann has tapped into the market for slicker products. Manufactured by Italian company Fantini, ‘Dolce’ is a complete revamp of the conventional tap, paring down its bulkiness in favour of a flat lever and a sleek body. Available in a variety of sizes and finishes, the simple faucet delights the eye and the touch.
www.fantini.it
‘LiftMatic’ oven
by Siemens
Oven design generally has not made any dramatic leaps of late. Siemens’ latest offering, however, is well worth ripping holes in your Bulthaup for, and you’d probably have to, as the brilliance of this wall-mounted beauty is that its base drops down (in a controlled manner, with sensors that prevent it from crushing any cookwear beneath) to expose the inner racks, and retracts back up, all at the press of a button. The days of seared forearms are over.
www.siemens.com
‘Platinum’ cooker hood
by Elica
The form is familiar, but it’s the function that excites us. Appearing for all the world like a simple ceiling light with a shade, this object’s primary use is in fact as a hi-tech cooker hood. The shade conceals a drum fitted with a set of grease traps that can be removed easily and cleaned in the dishwasher. Remarkably, the hood also works as a light, complete with remote control.
www.elica.it
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