N.J.F.A. Lemlijn

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Master thesis (1)

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Beyond the kitchen, Towards social cooking

The envisioning of a 2040 kitchen, with the social interaction as a core value

Master thesis (2026) - N.J.F.A. Lemlijn , M.C. Dekker , P.A. Kraaijeveld , Duy Phong Vu

Cooking has been one of the most important activities of mankind throughout history. The Early Humans already gathered around the campfire to prepare and cook ingredients together. This campfire evolved to the kitchen area as we know it today. In the last century, since the introduction of the Frankfurter Kitchen by Margarete Schütte-Lihotzky in 1926, this area has been focused on efficiency. This value supported general wealth and is still visible in our current kitchen.

Looking towards 2040, we need to reflect if this value from 1926 still aligns with our current desires. Looking back to the campfire, cooking was a moment of being together and interact on a social level.

In an ever-busy lifestyle, this social interaction with friends and near ones is more important than ever. Therefore this thesis explores how to replace the value of efficiency with focus on the social interaction. This within the cooking journey of Dutch starters in a 2040 context.

This thesis is in close collaboration with De`Longhi Braun Household, a company in small domestic appliances located in Germany.

This thesis is divided in a research and conceptualisation phase. During desk research an adapted Vision in Product (ViP) design approach is used to reveal the core value of cooking from the past, current and future. This value, combined with a determined focus area and group, results in the creation of a design vision.

Through ideation, conceptualisation and prototyping the final design, Mesa, is introduced. A total replacement of the 2026 kitchen area. This flexible kitchen enables the person cooking to move with the social interaction, and therefore having the opportunity to be included in conversations during the complete cooking journey. This way people can make best use of the time they spend together.

Mesa, developed for a Dutch starters couple in a 2040 home context, considers all stages of the cooking process. Moving with the social interaction, preparing ingredients, cooking on induction technology, fume extraction and fresh water supply are all covered.

After validating this concept kitchen, users indicate a desirability towards this new vision of social cooking. The execution is promising, but further development is required before mass implementation.