INTERVIEW: Philippe Starck

18 January 2010

The legendary designer has just unveiled his first kitchen for Warendorf...

Q You have designed extensively for the bathroom, but this is your first full kitchen project - what were the main influences?

A The constant source of inspiration for me is the big story of our evolution: the bacteria of four billion years ago to the frog, the monkey and the super monkey we are today to what we shall be in four billion years when the sun shall implode and vitrify the earth.We are the only animal species that controls its speed of evolution. We have a duty to carry on this beautiful story of mutation, therefore each action, each project should fit in this big picture.With the Starck by Warendorf kitchens, I had this in mind also, thinking of the fire that had been the centre of everything since the beginning of time - fire was at the centre of a village, then a city, then a civilisation. I continued the same evolution on kitchens as I did with washrooms several years ago when I transformed them into a wet salon.

Q Have you deliberately waited until the kitchen became more a part of home than a separate roo

A This collection is about us, about the evolution of our habits, of society. It is about a life (since the beginning of ages) around the fire.Starck by Warendorf kitchens bring a new ergonomy, a different answer to daily life - the wife is no more cloistered in her kitchen while children are in their room, now all the family can interact and share their life in the space I propose. The option of high table also brings a more dynamic approach between people.As we cannot cater to the taste of everybody, there are options so that everyone, from our tribe, can find her/his fire.

Q What was the biggest challenge for your kitchen design

A The only challenge I had in front of me is not the complexity of the project, it is more my own weakness which scares me a lot more than any technical problem.

Q You have designed a kitchen sink for Duravit and now kitchen furniture for Warendorf. Will you also consider designing kitchen brassware and major kitchen appliances?

A If the right partners arouse [sic], why not?

Q What do you think will be the most important aspect of world-wide kitchen design in the next five year

A The flow of energy and the disappearance of materialism while increasing the competence.

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INTERVIEW: Philippe Starck	Back
18 January 2010 The legendary designer has just unveiled his first kitchen for Warendorf... Q You have designed extensively for the bathroom, but this is your first full kitchen project - what were the main influences? A The constant source of inspiration for me is the big story of our evolution: the bacteria of four billion years ago to the frog, the monkey and the super monkey we are today to what we shall be in four billion years when the sun shall implode and vitrify the earth.We are the only animal species that controls its speed of evolution. We have a duty to carry on this beautiful story of mutation, therefore each action, each project should fit in this big picture.With the Starck by Warendorf kitchens, I had this in mind also, thinking of the fire that had been the centre of everything since the beginning of time - fire was at the centre of a village, then a city, then a civilisation. I continued the same evolution on kitchens as I did with washrooms several years ago when I transformed them into a wet salon. Q Have you deliberately waited until the kitchen became more a part of home than a separate roo A This collection is about us, about the evolution of our habits, of society. It is about a life (since the beginning of ages) around the fire.Starck by Warendorf kitchens bring a new ergonomy, a different answer to daily life - the wife is no more cloistered in her kitchen while children are in their room, now all the family can interact and share their life in the space I propose. The option of high table also brings a more dynamic approach between people.As we cannot cater to the taste of everybody, there are options so that everyone, from our tribe, can find her/his fire. Q What was the biggest challenge for your kitchen design A The only challenge I had in front of me is not the complexity of the project, it is more my own weakness which scares me a lot more than any technical problem. Q You have designed a kitchen sink for Duravit and now kitchen furniture for Warendorf. Will you also consider designing kitchen brassware and major kitchen appliances? A If the right partners arouse [sic], why not? Q What do you think will be the most important aspect of world-wide kitchen design in the next five year A The flow of energy and the disappearance of materialism while increasing the competence.