Space-maximizing Electrolux eTree Kitchen Concept

A few days ago, the world received its 7 billionth inhabitant. Startling as that number is, scientists have predicted that the world will cross the 10 billion mark in the next few decades which is hardly good news for anyone currently struggling with finding a spacious apartment in our ever-quickly growing urban landscape. Controlling the population explosion requires a mass movement and some very stern steps on part of government agencies which isn’t really something ordinary Joes like you and I can accomplish on our own. We can, however, discover and invent new ways to save the space and resources that we have and the Electrolux eTree Kitchen Concept by designer Suzana Popa is a grand new step in the right direction.

eTree kitchen

The designer begins by identifying the single biggest problem that city dwellers across the globe are plagues with- a lack of space in urban apartments which coupled with the global economic slowdown only means that each of us has less space to live in. the designer intends to target this precise problem by creating a domestic functional unit that uses space wisely. Since the kitchen is one of the most important living areas in a city apartment, it becomes quintessential that the space is used wisely to deliver all the functions required of a modern kitchen without users having to forgo any of the technology or luxury afforded to them by modern gadgetry.

The designer uses the form of a tree as a starting point for the project and uses the vertical efficiently of nature’s design to inspire key functions and form of the Electrolux eTree Kitchen Concept. The design basically takes the idea of a kitchen being a full room in its own right and transforms that to create a fully functional kitchen in a tall, tree-like structure that can be stood in the middle of any other room as well. With adjustable height, the eTree can be manipulated to best suit the user's height with its adjustable levels being divided according to the functions that allow users to saves energy and avoid unnecessary movements or wastage.

The vertical positioning of the tree utilizes space that is otherwise wasted in apartments. The Electrolux eTree Kitchen Concept comes with a circular cooking area on the lower level which features an induction hot plate surface that can be directly used. The temperature of the hot plate is indicated by a colored circle that appears underneath the pot or pan placed on top.

The washing area comes pre-fitted with sensors that activate the water flow when something is placed into the sink. The temperature of the water can be set by touching the colored buttons on the washer’s edge. A dedicated drying area for washed dishes ensures that users don’t need to install a separate dishwasher into the unit.

On level 2, the Electrolux eTree Kitchen Concept comes fitted with different storage modules that allow customization. The storage modules on the level are divided according to purpose with a separate crockery and cutlery module, a bar module for glasses and bottles, a cupboard storage for caldrons as well as a fully-functioning refrigerator module.

The top level of the Electrolux eTree Kitchen Concept comes with a dedicated space for plants that absorb the air and refresh it. A remote control controls the position of levels and also turns the oven the fridge and eh ventilation on and off while a garbage bin placed at the bottom level turns the waste into plant fertilizer through fermentation and osmosis.