Home refrigeration was a novelty a century ago, but today we take the marvel of readily available chilled food and drinks, all within easy reach, for granted. It’s time for the next revolution, as a new generation of cooling innovates the design and functionality of cooling appliances.

Picture this: “Returning home after a long day, you enter your live-in kitchen where soft lights illuminate the space. You approach the fridge and, without handles, you simply push to open. The door glides smoothly, revealing warm-toned lighting that adjusts to the perfect brightness, ensuring you can see inside without being dazzled. The compartments open effortlessly, thanks to advanced kinematics with self-closing capabilities. The lighting inside gently highlights the contents, creating a welcoming atmosphere.” To hear User Experience Designer Lucas Schulte Campos tell it, opening the fridge is about to become an exercise in self-care.

Along with Sven Baacke, Head Of Design, and Mikkel Brandt Bugge, Industrial Designer, Schulte Campos is reinventing home refrigeration for Gaggenau. Paving the way since 1863, Gaggenau recently introduced the latest innovations in aesthetics, technology and performance, for a piece of functional kitchen furniture that looks and feels as cool as the product inside.

Gaggenau prides itself on its heritage, but you don’t reach almost 350 years in business by doing business as usual. The German manufacturer has always enveloped technological innovation and high functionality in a design language that departs from convention.

Inside, the new cooling system features five climate zones, fully extendable drawers that control humidity, and cameras for a quick product check on the go, as well as specialised cooling settings that can be adjusted remotely. According to Brandt Bugge, materiality is paramount: “Each design element is meticulously crafted, incorporating carefully selected materials, colours and finishes to achieve a harmonious balance between striking beauty and practical functionality.”

The shared goal of the designers is for all the technological innovation behind the new generation of cooling to be imperceptible to the user. As Baacke puts it, "the essence lies in our commitment to crafting appliances that seamlessly integrate into the modern living environment. Our appliances are not just machines; they enhance functionality while adding to the overall aesthetic appeal, bringing joy and satisfaction to everyday tasks.”

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