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Soon I will be flying off to California to take part in a panel discussion titled “Design Trends for the Modern Kitchen” with Bosch, BLANCO and a group of heavy-hitters from DWELL magazine. I don’t make time to go on many work related trips but this particular one offers a great deal of value to what I do as an architect, the clients I work with, AND involves brands that I already know and use with regularity. While I am there, I will also get to see and review new products in both company’s lines.
So what’s involved in a trip like this? Here’s a peek –
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This design retreat is compact in terms of length but we will be doing a lot during this period. I am flying out Wednesday evening while most of the group flies in Thursday morning. As a result, the program will start mid-afternoon on Thursday and continues until late afternoon on Friday. Our agenda looks something like this:
May 31, 3:00 pm–4:30 pm
Bosch Experience and Design Center
Bosch and Dwell host a lively panel discussion entitled “Design Trends for the Modern Kitchen.” This exclusive sneak preview of the new Bosch Experience and Design Center in Irvine, CA, will be moderated by Dwell Contributing Editor Erika Heet and feature influential panelists Gulla Jonsdottir of G+, Delta Wright of Curated, Architect David Hertz, and Graham Sadtler of Bosch appliance design as they discuss upcoming trends and modern design values. A reception from 4:30 to 5:30 follows the panel discussion.
Thursday May 31
3:00 p.m. Design Trends for the Modern Kitchen
Panel discussion moderated by Dwell Contributing Editor Erika Heet. Reception to follow.
6:00 p.m. Designed to Devour
Dinner at True Food Kitchen, Newport Beach, Calif.
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Friday June 1
8:30 a.m. Design (De) Tour
A guided tour of the new BSH Experience and Design Center and BLANCO Brand Overview
9:00 a.m. Break
9:10 a.m. Designed for Life – an Interactive Design Workshop
Journey with the Bosch industrial design team through the intricate process of a creating a Bosch home appliance. From the initial sketching phase through the creation of a prototype, you will learn and experience Bosch’s meticulous and purposeful design process.
11:00 a.m. Break
11:15 a.m. German-Engineered Silence
An engaging session that will showcase the precision German Engineering behind the quietest dishwasher in North America.
12:00 p.m. Fix & Feast
An interactive culinary experience guided by Bosch executive Chef Kyle Jakobi.
2:00 p.m. Inducting Induction into Cooking’s Hall of Fame
Bosch’s proprietary induction technology and Genuine European Convection explained.
2:45 p.m. Break
3:00 p.m. Forces That Drive Innovation
The future of kitchen design explored by BLANCO.
4:00 p.m. B2 You
Bosch, Blanco and you. Meet with the design and brand teams from Bosch and Blanco to answer your most pressing kitchen design questions.
4:30 p.m. Departure
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Getting to participate in design retreats like this is rewarding in many ways – the least of which is getting to learn how companies like Bosh and BLANCO are reacting and shaping design trends that make their way down to our projects. A small group of us get to grab the ears of these folks and tell them what things we want to see, evaluate products before they come to market AND learn about existing products in a way your local sales representative just can’t deliver.
A great side benefit is that of the people I’ve seen that are coming, I have met about half at similar events … but I know almost all of them. With the exception of yours truly, they are all really knowledgeable, and many have become valuable resources. In fact, some of these folks are on my speed dial and I have not been shy to tap into their collective experience when looking for some specific knowledge or guidance.
I presented on the topic of blogging two weeks ago at the National American Institute of Architects … unfortunately I only had about 10% of the time I needed to really get into the subject. One of the topics that ended up on the PowerPoint cutting room floor was how much more connected I am with fellow designers and how much wider I am able to cast my net when I am looking for reliable information. It is events like this one that allow you to meet and connect with other designers that really makes this process and these trips worthwhile.
I am looking forward to sharing what I learn.
Cheers,
Disclosure of Material Connection: This is a “sponsored post.” The companies who sponsored it compensated me something of value to write it. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I may use or will use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”