Hardly any other company has shaped the concept of the modern kitchen as much as Poggenpohl. Ever since the East Westphalian kitchen manufacturer launched the first "reform kitchen" at the end of the 1920s, it has been setting standards in the world of kitchen architecture. To this day, the company, which is famous for the highest quality standards and craftsmanship made in Germany, is characterized by an incomparable flair for trends and innovations. This is also demonstrated by the Poggenpohl Experience Center, which will open in Shanghai in 2022.
IFG took over the design of the center for Poggenpohl, which is located in a historic building on Hengshan Road in the heart of the city. We created an immersive experience space there that expands and redefines the idea of what a kitchen can be. At the same time, it gives the premium brand's Chinese customers unforgettable insights into the kitchen design of the future.
At the heart of life
The kitchen has become a central place in many people's everyday lives. The focus is not necessarily on cooking itself. Instead, we increasingly associate it with the act of coming together. The kitchen is the space in our lives where we celebrate the joy of enjoyment as a communal experience. This makes it a place with which we associate fond memories and where we therefore enjoy spending time.
For this reason, Poggenpohl's Experience Center in Shanghai is not just about the functionality of a kitchen, but also about the emotional aspects associated with it. Here, the kitchen becomes a favorite place that can be individually designed according to personal preferences and the experiences people want to have there. The concept of the Experience Center is to offer people the opportunity to explore and rediscover these needs and desires. To this end, the showroom takes them on a journey that impressively demonstrates the full potential of a kitchen space.
Deliberately multi-perspective
The individual areas of the Experience Center are not separated by walls. Instead, visitors are constantly presented with spatial perspectives that merge seamlessly into one another and ensure a visual experience without interruptions. As they walk through the showroom, they are constantly confronted with new and fascinating views that continuously generate moments of amazement and maintain their curiosity.
The showroom sections are differentiated by an impressive ceiling design. By highlighting the individual areas in a unique way, the ceiling attracts and guides people to the next stations on their journey of discovery.
A breathtaking view upwards
The ceiling is the wall that often receives little attention in room design. In the Poggenpohl Experience Center, however, we use it as a natural dividing element. While the showroom itself impresses with its openness, as it is bounded by only a few walls, the ceiling elements give structure to the route through the exhibition.
Anyone entering the foyer of the showroom is greeted by an impressive ceiling installation consisting of a dried floral landscape. Here, the green-painted arches immediately attract the attention of visitors. If you look through them, the next ceiling made of artfully woven rattan catches your eye. The material, which comes from the famous Zhejiang province, spans the Lab material. Further forward in the room, the bright light grids that mark the center of the showroom on the ceiling can already be seen. Their presence underlines the communal concept of the area below, which is designed as a space for meetings and can be used for events, among other things.
A sensual conclusion to an eventful journey
The tour through the showroom ends in a café, which is equipped with a complete ensemble of Poggenpohl kitchen modules. From here, customers can also step out onto an outdoor lounge surrounded by plants, which is flooded with sunlight in good weather.
Here, visitors can review their experiences and take in the unique philosophy and aesthetics of the brand. This space is designed to appeal to all the senses and emotions. It provides a memorable conclusion to the customer experience and once again underlines the role of the kitchen as a space for encounters and a place of enjoyment, as well as its potential as a highlight of the individual living environment.
2024iF DESIGN AWARDWinner - Interior Architecture/Shop, Showroom Interiors
2023a&d AwardsCertificate of Excellence – Best Retail
2023EuroShop RetailDesign Award ChinaNominee
2023Design for Asia AwardsSilver Award
