In the second of a six-part series of interviews with the people behind the industry’s top kitchen designs, Miele and The Peak speak to Daniel Magg, W. Atelier’s general manager.
It might have started as a bathroom specialist in 1979, but W. Atelier has certainly gone beyond that. Today, it is a reputed go-to name not only for living room, kitchen and bathroom fixtures, but also for fine designer pieces for the entire home. With continuous improvement as its philosophy, the company constantly strives to deliver innovative, personalised solutions, and work with others that share its passion.
“All the suppliers we work with are companies with a long experience and tradition of producing high-end products,” says Daniel Magg, general manager of W. Atelier. “Their products have stood, or will stand, the test of time – some of our suppliers look back on a history of more than 100 years!” The key to evergreen designs goes beyond form and function, to products tailored to suit the customer. “Form and function are highly subjective, that is why we at W. Atelier make the user the centre of our attention.”
To this end, all of W. Atelier’s sales staff are interior designers or architects who are trained in assessing the clients’ needs and translating them into workable concepts. And when it comes to finding kitchen solutions, Miele comes to mind.
“Miele appliances can help solve a great range of common design problems, such as space constraints, which is a big issue in Singapore. Its appliances, which combine different functions in one device – such as the oven and microwave, or oven and steamer – reduce the amount of space appliances need,” says Magg.
The solutions Miele provides are not only practical, but also on-trend, says Magg, whose team tracks the latest developments in appliances and accessories.
“One of the major design trends right now is to make the kitchen completely free of any visible handles. Miele’s Artline range does exactly that, and revolutionises the look of the kitchen.”
He also highlights the Slimline range of telescopic cooker hoods that retract completely within the cabinetry when not in use. Such integrated solutions mean that the modern kitchen still serves its function as a space to cook in but its design is no longer dictated, or constrained, by its function. The result is a sleek, sophisticated space that packs high performing functionality – and that is the future of kitchen design.
