Electrolux Design Lab 2010 Finalist: Matthew Gilbride

Published 2010-08-24 in Design Lab 2010 Competition

Matthew Gilbride, lives and studies in the USA. His ‘Kitchen Elements’ modular kitchen concept is one of eight designs in the final running to win this year’s Electrolux Design Lab. We take a look at the specific benefits of Matthew’s submission and ask him a few questions about his concept.

Background
Mathew Gilbride’s modular, wall-mounted appliance provides flexible modes of cooking, refrigeration, air conditioning, lighting, and environmental design whilst reducing space. The appliance draws power wirelessly through technology applied to the wall, which is supplemented through solar energy as required. Multiple units and surfaces automatically work together through wireless smart networking, whilst customisation is offered by being able to install the units as the user prefers.

What was the inspiration for your concept?
I was inspired by how insects such as bees, wasps, etc. use tessellated structures to efficiently organize their living spaces. These structures are amazingly beautiful while being remarkably economic in their use of space and materials.

How does your concept fit into the theme of compact living?
This concept tackles some of the challenges of compact living by providing a flexible, modular solution that can be adapted as work, space, or living conditions demand. It also strives to make each element of the system serve multiple roles at the same time and thus eliminate the need for multiple, specialized appliances.

Why would someone want your concept and what are its main benefits?
This concept would be attractive to consumers because it delivers a lot of functionality in a compact, scalable package. The consumer is able to use the appliance to meet a lot of their daily living needs and can scale the system up or down over time as space or finances allow. This concept also allows for creative, flexible reconfiguration of the units and work space. This helps the product stay in balance with changing conditions in a consumer’s life and helps the product deliver needed value over time.

Describe the consumer research behind your concept?
Much of my research focused on the current state-of-the-art in small, galley kitchen product concepts and the developing needs of consumer over the next 50 years. As much of the world population becomes highly mobile, urban dwellers who move to where community, environmental, and work conditions best meet their needs, people need product solutions that help them lived in that crowded, frenetic environment. My research helped me develop product performance criteria that included functional convergence, space efficiency, modularity, flexibility of use, scalability, ease of use, esthetic appeal, and creative engagement.

What kind of materials would you use to build your concept?
As a model I would use a ABS or similar plastic that could be easily thermo-formed and fabricated to produce a convincing look-feel model. The concept could also be moeled with a polyurethane foam and again finished with a smooth, high gloss finish to mimic a plastic or painted metal surface.

As an actual, functional concept the product is produced from a nano-fabricated surface material that allows for granular integration of induction heating, solid state cooling, solar collection, light emission, and high resolution display functionality into a single material. When the product is not powered on its surface would have the look and feel of a high gloss plastic. This material would essentially be “printed” in place over the product core which could be made of extruded aluminum or a thermally resistant molded plastic. This nano-deposition process would also be used to fabricate the interface control and computing systems embedded in the product and would be “printed” as a subsurface of the exterior, multi-function surface. The product core would house other electronic components that handle wireless power reception and storage, ventilation mechanics, etc.

Who is your favorite designer?
Wow, tough question. There are many accomplished designers that I deeply admire. I have always really loved the work of Jasper Morrison. So I f I have to pick one designer today it would be him.

What are your career goals?
I find both the esthetic and functional problem solving aspects of Industrial Design deeply engaging. I focus a lot of my work on furniture, appliances, tools, and a range of fast moving consumer goods. I develop a lot of my design projects as both product and system/ service design challenges. I love the variety of projects and problems that a professional designer gets to work on and am looking to pursue my core interests as a product designer in either a corporate or consultancy environment.