Sven: It’s all about finding delight in the usage of our products, the joy of the aesthetics, and seamless integration. The new Essential Induction perfectly embodies this vision, combining professional cooking principles with impeccable aesthetics, creating a harmonious fusion.

The aesthetics are not just about the appliance itself; they extend to having a clean cooktop that allows the architecture to breathe. The kitchen is opening up, and the living space is integrating with it. That’s nothing new. However, it brings the focus back to the kitchen table or kitchen block, where people gather around like they would around a fire, fostering social interactions. We eliminate distractions and design the perfect kitchen that doesn’t feel like a traditional kitchen with boundaries. I really appreciate the idea of bringing back the kitchen table as a central area where everything happens—a combination of a table and a kitchen block.

The Essential Induction embodies the essence of cooking: it’s a table that can heat up, without unnecessary frills. This idea represents the purity of a Gaggenau appliance, which is what we always strive for.

By removing technical constraints and offering more freedom to architects and planners, they can now create the perfect space that aligns with their customers’ life philosophy, eliminating the boundaries between preparation and living. It offers the ultimate latitude in kitchen planning, a revolutionary concept for designers and planners. No longer bound by the integration of a visible cooktop, a more open and flexible kitchen layout is enabled.

Photo: Sven Baacke, Head of Global Design, Gaggenau

Sven: It’s about redefining what true luxury means. It’s no longer about conspicuous displays or visible branding. Instead, it’s about a more subtle form of luxury. It’s not about having a prominent logo or making a loud statement. It’s about the inside feeling, a subtle recognition for those who know. It’s about the experience and the quality of the product, rather than external displays. It’s a form of luxury that doesn’t need to shout for attention.

Piotr: It is called the “Essential Induction” because it represents the core principles of operating a kitchen device in a straightforward manner and enabling a truly minimalist kitchen design. In its purity, there is a significant luxury element.

Sven: Less is more, not only in terms of aesthetics but also in terms of functionality and freedom. By removing unnecessary elements, the product becomes more essential, allowing users to experience a different kind of luxury, one that is rooted in simplicity and freedom. It requires careful consideration and a deep understanding of the fundamental elements that make the product functional and meaningful. The result is a design that embodies the principles of purity and clarity, offering users a truly immersive and uncluttered experience.

Sven: The Essential Induction reflects the trend of ‘shy tech’, where technology is present but discreetly hidden from view. Younger generations appreciate the seamless integration of technology into their daily lives without it being obtrusive or distracting.

Piotr: For the younger market, the trend of luxury is shifting evermore towards a more minimalistic and essential approach. It’s about focusing on the connection between the user and the product, how the user interacts with the luxury item and how the item interacts with its environment. With the new product, we emphasize the essential aspects of induction cooking and prioritize the user’s experience over visual elements.

Sven: The straightforwardness of the design and the minimalistic approach conveys a sense of aesthetics and joy. It’s about finding delight in the essential aspects of cooking and living, without being overwhelmed by unnecessary features. The pursuit of clarity in design is a fundamental aspect of creating a product like this. It’s about distilling the essence, removing distractions, and focusing on what truly matters. The goal is to create an experience that is pure and beautiful, akin to the sensation of tasting something unadulterated or being in nature without distractions.

Piotr: One of the interesting things we discovered during the process was when people cook on it they immediately, instinctively, started placing their ingredients, spoons, and everything they needed for cooking around the pot. The way they naturally interacted with the cooktop was different from the rigidity of a 60-centimetre cooktop, separate 60-centimetre preparation area, and the sink next to it. I have never encountered a product that brings about such a change in behaviour without people consciously thinking about it. It was as if they were waiting for it to change the way they cooked.

Photo: Piotr Szpryngwald, chief designer at Gaggenau