Electrolux's Shine looks more like bathroom furniture than a washing machine

(05/05/2010)

By 2050 around 74% of the world’s population is expected to live in an urban environment. With these shrinking spaces and 39% of Europeans having their washing machine in the bathroom, new smarter solutions need to be found.

The Electrolux Design Team in Porcia, Italy came up with the Shine concept appliances. These products seemlesly integrate with the rest of the bathroom. The free standing version of Shine can be integrated underneath the bathroom sink, while the wall mounted version integrates nicely with bathroom cupboards.

“We wanted to make the appliance look more like bathroom furniture than just a washing machine,” says Levente Szabo main designer behind the Shine concepts and winner of Electrolux Design Lab 2007. ”The forms and high gloss finishing increase the link to the porcelain and ceramics of the bathroom environment.”

When developing the concepts, the Electrolux Design team thoroughly studied the bathroom environment and developed new designs linked to materials, colors, lighting and ambiance. “The bathroom has become more of a relaxation room than just a bathroom,” explains Calum Armstrong, Industrial Design Manager Fabric Care. “It helps create a therapeutic atmosphere, like one can see coming from the Japanese culture.”

Around the doors of the Shine concepts there are integrated light guides that function both as ambient lighting and the product’s interface. The light ring around the door will visually communicate both the cycle time and the phase of the washing process. Once the washing cycle is started, the ring around the door will start to light up in a clockwise manner, reaching completion at the same time as the washing cycle is completed.

“This does not only create nice ambient lighting, but it also creates a more emotional connection to the washing cycle,” continues Calum.

As true Scandinavian Design, the Shine concepts are sleekly designed, yet functional at the same time. The small display above the door has a smaller selection of programs, depending on the type of items placed in the washing machine.

Related categories:  Residential applications   Washing machines and dishwashers