Modular Refrigeration

Introduced in the 1990s, modular refrigeration is a popular trend in residential kitchens. The term modular refrigeration refers to stand alone, independent refrigerated units that are available as fresh food, freezer or wine preservation columns of varying widths, generally between 18 and 36 inches. They provide considerable design flexibility, giving architects the option to forego the often cumbersome refrigerator-freezer combination in favor of two or more refrigeration columns of any size and configuration and serving different functions. The units offer multiple design and installation possibilities, and can be placed wherever they are needed − separately or side by side − for a kitchen customized according to a preferred workflow. Some users, say, may select a cook's refrigerator for unprepared items near the stove and one closer to dining room for beverages and condiments, while another may want a freezer column containing meats next to the oven and a column for fresh food next to the sink to facilitate vegetable preparation. Refrigeration is moving out of the kitchen too, as consumers opt to place products where they are going to use them − a wine storage unit in a family room or refrigeration in an outdoor entertaining space.

Modular refrigeration enables design flexibility in the kitchen. Photo courtesy of Thermador

 

In addition to liberating the kitchen from the hegemony of the monolithic fridge/freezer combination, modular refrigeration has been well received because of the way it looks and performs.

Aesthetics

With the more streamlined look in kitchens, large appliances are following suit, being disguised and integrated into the overall décor. While stainless steel finishes are still popular, the predominant design trend today in home refrigeration is to go one step beyond integration to true flush mount refrigeration where the unit "disappears" into the kitchen cabinetry for a cleaner, ultra modern look.

Modular refrigeration harkens back to German engineering, and the Kuhlschrank, which literally means 'cool cabinet. "It's a cabinet with a compressor and the cabinet gets cold. Because modular units are more a part of the cabinetry than an appliance, they represent a paradigm shift in the way design professionals think about refrigeration and configuring the kitchen.