▸  "bulthaup" b2

Nourishing Emotions, The Happy Puzzle of Life Interactions –bulthaup

Did you know that cooking in the kitchen is beneficial for your mental and physical health? Amid the hustle and bustle of daily work, cooking becomes the most anticipated moment of the day. Singing a song and walking happily into the kitchen to prepare and cook with family, touching and washing ingredients, and enjoying the aroma, people's senses are gradually unlocked. While tasting the shared results with family, an immense sense of happiness is felt! It's like a ritual of self-healing for the soul. Such flavorful cooking also brings additional benefits. American culinary therapist Julie Ohana suggests that cooking not only harmonizes family atmosphere but also inspires creativity and relieves stress. Additionally, Otl Aicher, founder of the Ulm School of Design and one of the most influential designers of the 20th century, vividly describes this concept in his book 'The Kitchen is for Cooking.'

▸ Gerd Bulthaup, second-generation owner

German top-quality kitchenware with a 75-year legacy, bulthaup, as early as 1980, regarded the kitchen as the core area for emotional exchanges in the home space. In the contemporary environment, the kitchen has transcended its functional aspects, becoming closely linked to people's spiritual perceptions and daily life. It holds humanistic and emotional significance beyond mere cooking itself. The collaboration between bulthaup and designer Otl Aicher was a milestone that elevated the solid craftsmanship foundation laid by the brand's founder, Mr. Martin Bulthaup, to a higher level, embodying the "living kitchen philosophy." The prototype of the world's first kitchen island, "System b," exemplified breaking the stereotype of closed, wall-facing kitchens, becoming the best example of integrating life and cooking. The key figure behind this collaboration was the brand's second-generation leader and the founder's son, Mr. Gerd Bulthaup, who played a crucial role in incorporating more architectural structure concepts into the brand.

▸  Concept of kitchen island < System b >

▸ Designer Otl Aicher

The Red Alfa Romeo Opportunity

With a background in architecture, Gerd Bulthaup took over the company in 1976, believing that the kitchen should not just be furniture but part of the architectural art space. He hoped to present the brand to the public with a new image. Combining his architectural design background and passion for Bauhaus philosophy, he eagerly invited designer Otl Aicher to join the brand. Aicher, widely known for his design of the visual identity for the 1972 Munich Olympics, was highly sought after in Germany at that time.

Interestingly, Otl Aicher, who always emphasized the conceptual output of design, rarely collaborated with brands. He believed that brand identity should not just meet client expectations but should also incorporate the ideas and attitudes born from interactions with the designer. Despite multiple unsuccessful visits, Gerd Bulthaup persistently and actively pursued Aicher without giving up. An unexpected incident where Aicher, a car enthusiast, noticed Gerd's red Alfa Romeo Giulietta piqued his curiosity about Gerd. This led to a long conversation between the two, eventually resulting in Aicher's agreement to collaborate. This partnership laid the foundation for the brand's new philosophy of a living kitchen.

▸ Font design by designer Otl Aicher

▸ The third-generation successor, Mr. Marc O. Eckert

"People" The Only Constant Core

At the beginning of their collaboration, Otl Aicher asked Gerd, "Can you cook?" Gerd candidly replied, "No." Otl then clearly told Gerd, "You must first learn how to cook before thinking about how to change the kitchen design." Otl Aicher believed that brand identity should truthfully reflect the company's spirit and must be consistent to highlight its value. In their pursuit of brand depth, he and Gerd Bulthaup spent 12 months visiting numerous renowned local and international restaurants in Europe, studying global professional cooking habits and methods as design references. They also conducted in-depth interviews with professional chefs, observing the operation and functionality of large kitchens. They discovered that despite different dietary habits and cultural customs worldwide, the enjoyment of cooking together and gathering with people remains unchanged regardless of location.

Therefore, Otl Aicher redefined the concept of the kitchen with 'cohesion,' unveiling bulthaup's new interpretation of kitchen design. He emphasized that the kitchen is a space for interaction and dialogue, asserting that 'the kitchen is a part of life, not just a place for cooking.' This human-centered approach has been carried forward by the third-generation successor, Mr. Marc O. Eckert, who has elevated it into a deeply rooted brand philosophy. He continues to optimize and upgrade the concept by integrating more architectural structures, flexible mobility, and aesthetic ideas into the living kitchen space, thereby continuously nurturing the foundation of the brand.

▸ Picasso dining with friends

▸ Otl Aicher dining with friends

▸ "bulthaup" System 20, produced in 1988

▸ "bulthaup" vintage with rig | photographer : Julius Hirtzberger

The Evolution of 'Form Follows Function' Over Time

Reflecting on 1984, when bulthaup launched the world's first kitchen island, "System b," it not only revolutionized the traditional wall-facing cooking method but also introduced a central island for food preparation and storage of cooking tools. This design allowed for unobstructed communication in the kitchen, solidly presenting a human-centered design philosophy. This year, "vintage with rig" made its debut at the Milan exhibition, featuring an oak countertop with a stainless steel base and an integrated countertop waste disposal unit. The design includes a hanging grid above and a hanging rod below the countertop, complementing each other and recreating the surprise and excitement of the original "System b" launch.

▸ "bulthaup" kitchen workbench | photographer : Julius Hirtzberger

In 1988, the brand pioneered the concept of simplifying complexity by integrating functionalities. They introduced the "Kitchen workbench," an independent kitchen island that combined fire, water, and food preparation functions. This streamlined design embodied the essence of Bauhaus philosophy and was hailed as the 'first true innovative kitchen' since the Frankfurt Kitchen. This year, the series further evolved with a floor-standing version that can also integrate with the multifunctional wall system, "94 line." This wall system, based on architectural load-bearing principles, set an unmatched standard in the industry upon its release. The "Kitchen workbench" can be embedded into the wall structure, with the latest design featuring a work height of 94 cm, ergonomically optimized for tasks. The wall-mounted tools provide intuitive convenience and showcase a personalized concept, perfectly demonstrating the principle of 'form follows function.'

▸ "bulthaup" functional wall, photographer : Julius Hirtzberger

▸  "bulthaup" kitchen island | photographer : Julius Hirtzberger

This year at the Milan exhibition, the brand presented "There is no kitchen," highlighting the kitchen as an extension of modern living and reflecting on the core philosophy of bulthaup over the past seventy years. This theme prompted people to reconsider the spatial definition of the contemporary kitchen. The focal point of the exhibition was the square "kitchen island," notable for its patented and meticulously crafted dual-direction sliding corner drawers, allowing easy access from both sides. This design maximizes storage space and is thoughtfully created with the user's needs in mind, extending considerate design principles. Despite the passage of time and evolving trends, the fundamental goal remains creating more convenience. bulthaup continues to advance with a human-centered approach, emphasizing the brand's commitment to caring for people. Each series, born from user behavior needs, stands the test of time and becomes part of bulthaup's enduring legacy. Ultimately, the brand's classic status is built upon the daily lives of you and me.

▸ "bulthaup" kitchen island | photographer : Julius Hirtzberger