Publication: MAKUS in VT Wonen Kitchen Special
MAKUS in the spotlight! VT Wonen publishes their Kitchen Special once a year. A beautiful thick publication with all the trends and developments in the field of kitchens. For the 2023 Kitchen Special, MAKUS has been approached to give its expert vision on kitchens and to share the philosophy behind MAKUS.
When did the idea for Makus come about?
'In 2017, when I was working as a sustainability consultant at a consultancy firm. Around that time, it became clear that all homes had to be natural gas-free by 2050. Together with municipalities, housing corporations and grid operators, I looked for an answer to the question: how are we going to do that? It led to technical discussions about the costs and possibilities of solar panels, insulation and induction. I thought it was a shame that only that was considered. Of course, the technology has to be right, but we also have to make sustainability fun. I went looking for a product that is sustainable and beautiful. When I came across designer solar panels, I thought: there must be induction hobs that are more beautiful than the well-known black, shiny ones. They didn't exist yet, so I decided to make them myself.'
Why is color important?
'The kitchen has become an important part of the interior in recent decades; you can match all materials and colours to your living room. However, the hob is still mainly considered for functionality. We do not approach the induction hob as an appliance, but as an interior item. With colours and patterns, it can enhance the harmony in the kitchen instead of breaking it.'
Do colored induction hobs work as well as black ones?
'Yes, the functionality is not different, they are both made of ceramic glass. The
only difference is that our glass is not black, but transparent. With a wear-resistant print underneath, for example of terrazzo, marble or a gold-coloured honeycomb pattern.'
How do you come up with those designs?
'I create these together with trend watcher and designer Mirjam de Bruijn. We look around us carefully: what is happening in fashion, in kitchens, in furniture and in terms of colours?
For example, we see that people are increasingly open to natural shades and soft pastel colours, after a period in which black kitchens were in. We also follow leading people who understand trends, such as Christine Boland and Lidewij Edelkoort. Our designs may also follow a trend, but must be timeless in essence. Simply Pink is a good example of this: our hob in subtle, terracotta-like pink. That colour has been a trend in recent years and continues to do well.'
What should you consider when choosing an induction hob?
'The first step is to consider what kind of cook you are and what you need. Do you want a large or small hob? Do you think it is important that two zones can be connected to each other to form a larger zone? Do you want an extractor hood or would you prefer an integrated extractor? We have just developed a hob with extractor, Makus Moon. In the middle is a round stainless steel filter that extracts cooking fumes downwards. If you want a purely functional induction hob, there are a ton of options. But if you also want it for the looks and are looking for a hob that enhances the colour palette of your kitchen, then you are more likely to come to us.'
What role does sustainability play?
'I notice that sustainability in the kitchen world is a major challenge. The sector is very traditional and you are dependent on a few suppliers who make components. You have little influence on that, especially as a small player with a new product. Nevertheless, we try to minimize the environmental impact of our product and production process. For example, we are now investigating with a Dutch recycling party whether glass can be reintroduced into the production chain when it reaches the end of its lifespan. The first results look good. It could ultimately mean that not only our, but all induction hobs can be recycled better. After endless testing, we also succeeded in developing a fully cardboard packaging for Makus Moon, which is as strong as polystyrene. That was a real victory. That is how we are constantly trying to take new steps.