We may be spending more time in our kitchens than we'd like at the moment. But take the opportunity to look around and get to know it, with kitchen companies offering great options to UK housebuilders. Buying brand new means a brand new kitchen.
While ‘green’ may not be everyone’s preferred kitchen cabinet colour, when it comes to product manufacture and functionality today’s consumers won’t accept anything else. Ginetta Vedrickas reports on how housebuilders and suppliers are keeping pace with eco-conscious demands
With sustainability and climate change seeping ever further into the public consciousness, an environmentally friendly kitchen is now top of buyers’ wishlists, but just what do they expect from today’s green homes?
Stolz Kitchens’ sales director, Damian Sheridan, says that it’s not just kitchens’ quality, design and functionality that matters, “tremendous importance” is also placed on protecting the environment: “This all starts with the way in which our derived timber products are sourced and continues through to production and logistics. The circle then closes when we dispose of our timber for recycling to generate heat.”
Stolz’s suppliers have long held PEFC and FSC certification and Sheridan is keen to explain what these green credentials really mean: “Our derived timber products are sourced under fair conditions: fair to mankind and to nature. Areas of forest worthy of protection are taboo, in the same way as forests turned into plantations, genetically modified crops or illegal deforestation are.”
Stolz Kitchens’ ambition is to be carbon neutral, and its vision and values are reflected within its customer base, says Sheridan: “From electrical usage to the Evo 6 HGVs we use, all are about reducing emissions and working in an energy-efficient manner.” Stolz also works hard to ensure kitchen accessories are as eco-friendly as possible. “Introducing hot taps rather than using a kettle means that you only need to heat the water you need; combined with filtered and sparkling water it’s becoming a must-have.”
Working closely with housebuilders, Sheridan finds that appliance ratings form a large part of the brief, but consumers are driving the change: “Homeowners want to know they are getting the most energy-efficient appliances. LED lights are prevalent also, the energy efficiency is far greater than other methods of lighting, and they last for such a long period of time that they are becoming the standard method.”
Packaging is another area where Stolz believes it can make a positive impact: “Fire-retardant protection is a requirement on most of our schemes, so we have created initiatives to implement reusing the protection. When the protection is removed from one plot, we use it in another. Working with a like-minded site team can really reduce waste and the environmental impact.”
The housebuilder and supplier partnership is key. Bluebell Homes has partnered with kitchen suppliers to create some interesting eco-design features, explains sales director Adele McCoy: “There’s an increased awareness of the need to live more sustainably and while people are keen to recycle more, they still want their homes to look sleek and stylish without multiple bins on show. Working with Magnet we’ve adapted the design of our kitchens to include in-cupboard recycling bins. These are available in homes on the second phase of River View Garden Village in Lydney and will be rolled out across Bluebell developments.”
Bluebell’s homes also include energy-efficient appliances, LED lighting as standard, plus Nest heating systems that can be controlled remotely. And, adds McCoy, green features don’t always have to be internal, pointing to charging points for electric vehicles and fitness trails for owners, also available at the scheme.
Simon Bodsworth, managing director of Daval, leaders in the design and manufacture of British fitted furniture, says: “Our 40 years’ experience in the design and creation of quality fitted furniture demonstrates our ability to manufacture sustainable, self-serving furniture that not only diversifies the market, but also furnishes our extensive supply network with original, customer-oriented solutions.”
Daval recently unveiled “the ultimate in eco-friendly design” its new Renzo Kitchen, made from 100% recycled material. Combining environmental credentials and contemporary, urban style, the range features industrial-style black hardware and ‘super-white’ marble worksurfaces, which emphasise three new high-texture finishes: a charred, Japanese wood effect; a character oak finish that simulates the look and feel of real wood; and a raw concrete effect that is combined with a burlap-style fabric for woven surface texture.
“Perfect for the eco-conscious consumer, every door in the Renzo collection is made from 100% recycled wood. As our industry generally favours a more linear economy, especially in respect of white goods, it makes sense to introduce a sustainable design solution for the modern kitchen and help build an even better future for our customers, their homes and, by virtue, the planet,” adds Bodsworth.
This year, German kitchen manufacturer Rotpunkt started its global campaign to take action against climate change by implementing new measures at German production sites Bünde and Getmold, ensuring that manufacture of its kitchens is 100% carbon neutral. Head of UK operations Matt Phillips believes that a consistent focus on environmental and social sustainability is the foundation for successful corporate development and, as we enter a new era of global change, Rotpunkt intends evolving brand and business to use change as an opportunity.
“Aiming to set new standards, our motivation is to produce kitchens as ethically as possible, which is why we have committed to 100% carbon neutral production with absolutely no compromise on quality or design. Our research shows that eco-credentials are a growing concern to the modern homeowner and our pledge for sustainable kitchen manufacture is just one way we can reduce our carbon footprint and answer the growth for ethical consumerism” says Phillips, pointing to Rotpunkt’s latest new finish, Lava, a dark grey, extreme matt door colour with tactile, hardwearing surface texture. “A new generation of super matt finishes will dominate kitchen design this year, and developments in laminate fabrication has broadened the scope for introducing colour innovatively.”
Fisher & Paykel recently unveiled its new range of kitchen appliances with green credentials that would satisfy the most rampant climate change activist. Mark Elmore, vice-president of design and brand, believes that with a fast-changing world, what is important to consumers is in constant flux. “We call it ‘Design for a Changing World’. It is the result of macro changes in the way we live,” says Elmore, who sees a generational shift, with Millennials now the largest consumer group globally, bringing a different set of values.
“Any home should be a sanctuary and we see demand for beautiful compact kitchens and appliances that fit seamlessly into the wider living spaces. Respect for our environment is a theme that is woven through each of these changes. We know that our interaction with the environment is causing change as consumers are opting for brands that are serious about sustainability.”
Fisher & Paykel’s black double DishDrawer dishwasher – “the world’s first dishwasher in a drawer” – reduces water and energy usage, using less water than washing up in a sink. The company’s new quad-door fridge-freezer offers four separate compartments and, with the fridge door being the most used door in the household, its ActiveSmart control system anticipates future use and can rapidly chill new items and quickly freeze foods to retain moisture.
Environmental issues are now of such concern says Caple, that laundry appliances with 24-hour delay timer, so consumers can benefit from cheaper electricity rates, are highly sought-after. Energy ratings and wash and spin efficiency as well as washes taking under 15 minutes, are vital in saving water. Caple’s A++-rated WMi3000 built-in washing machine
‘My Cycle’ function allows you to programme the most commonly used cycle at the push of a button as well as featuring 16 programmes including 15-minute quick wash, eco, baby care, and sports settings.
Caple product manager Luke Shipway says that today’s consumers expect to have eco-friendly appliances as standard: “As more homeowners understand how they can do their part towards lowering their carbon footprint, this will continue to increase demand for products that can help to address environmental concerns, such as eco cycles on dishwashers and laundry products, which help save electricity and water consumption.”
As well as continuing to improve the quality of products and service, Nolte Küchen and Express Küchen are focusing on sustainability. For several years, both companies have worked with FSC-credited material by only using wood from responsibly managed forests. Its VIDA range, made from fully recycled materials, is available in Cotton Papyrus and Cotton Quartz, and is a great alternative to lacquered door fronts or wood decors.
Accreditation is vital to luxury kitchen supplier BKNC, which has supplied most national housebuilders over the last 25 years. Based in the north-west, BKNC provides a full design, delivery and installation service nationwide, for large-scale developers to smaller single-plot luxury homes. The supplier has attained leading environmental accreditations such as Green Dragon Certification and FORS silver (Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme). “Across our industry, many national housebuilders are leading the way and implementing new techniques and procedures to help reduce unnecessary waste. Within the modern-day tendering process, all BKNC’s environmental accreditations are reviewed by our clients and must be met within the tendering process,” says BKNC’s SHEQ (safety, health, environment & quality) manager, Jon Morris.
Buying appliances that not only use less energy but are also manufactured sustainably by a company whose principles and ethos are reflected in the quality, longevity, reliability and performance is a must according to Sub-Zero & Wolf UK, whose products are built to last for decades. Its ‘monument to food preservation’, the iconic PRO48 refrigerator/freezer is now available in a slimmer 914mm version, the PRO36.
Sub-Zero & Wolf director Ricky Davies says that it’s important to buy the best refrigeration that you can possibly afford: “Superior food preservation features such as the space age Air Purification System, based on technology developed for NASA, are worth paying for. Removing odours, bacteria and ethylene gases from the refrigerator – in effect, ‘scrubbing’ the air clean every 20 minutes – this clever system vastly extends the life of fresh food, reducing food wastage and unnecessary and costly shopping trips.”
CDA recently unveiled its SK900BL, a 13-function electric pyrolytic oven which presets so you always have the right temperature at one touch, with fast heat up and roast probe for perfect joints every time. No smelly chemicals are needed for cleaning and, says CDA consumer marketing manager Carrie Bell, pyroclean is now the must-have addition to appliances. “Pyrolytic cleaning is becoming standard and, as technology moves on, will become part and parcel of an everyday oven.”
Barratt David Wilson works closely with suppliers to ensure it uses the latest in technology and build techniques. A new Barratt home is up to 65% more energy efficient than an older equivalent, saving homeowners £1,410 per year on energy bills. Sales and marketing director Natalie Perry believes that this is especially pertinent in kitchens: “With kitchens typically expending large amounts of energy, we have worked hard to ensure that where possible we have included saving measures.” At all Barratt David Wilson homes only energy and water efficient appliances with an A/A* rating are used, ensuring they minimise the level of energy needed to operate.
All kitchens and bathrooms have fixtures and fittings that could save homeowners up to 25 litres of water a day per person, with taps harnessing the latest aerated technology to ensure a powerful flow while reducing water usage.
“We also carefully select and monitor all of our suppliers and work with those who are committed to protecting the environment and sourcing responsibly. Our suppliers either have or are working towards ISO14001 – an international standard for environmental management. As much as we can, we use environmentally friendly materials that are rated A-A* by the Building Research Establishment’s Green Guide, and work with suppliers who can provide recycled materials, which are rigorously tested to ensure they are high quality,” adds Perry.