The Shift to Modular Refrigeration  

Kitchen envy. It strikes at the sight of a sleek, well-designed, efficient kitchen With their striking cabinetry, textured countertops, and premium appliances, today’s kitchens can be showpieces if not outright status symbols. Realtors tell us that the kitchen is often a key selling point in the purchase of a home and that remodeling a kitchen gives homeowners the greatest return on their investment. Admittedly, the kitchen has come a long way. Traditional kitchens were small and self-contained, primarily utilitarian spaces devoted to meal preparation and cleanup, and sealed off from the rest of the home. Social activity around food was the exclusive province of the dining room.

Kitchens have evolved. In the past two decades, the trend toward larger, multipurpose kitchens has taken root. The kitchen is the new living room, the communal center of the home, as walls are removed to create the feeling of more space and add a holistic quality to a house’s layout. Today’s trends are toward a more transitional design aesthetic and a more open kitchen design. Accompanying those trends are a rethinking and redeployment of the traditional role of refrigeration in the home kitchen.

This article will discuss the latest economic, social, and demographic developments that are impacting kitchen design and the role of modular refrigeration. Also covered will be the ways in which modular refrigeration contributes to the creation of functional spaces that reflect the changing domestic landscape.

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Modular refrigeration allows for a completely customizable kitchen space. This efficient kitchen choreography helps ensure a flow that accommodates today’s trend toward zone kitchen design.

MODULAR REFRIGERATION: WHAT IS IT?

The traditional big box refrigerator is experiencing dramatic changes. Many designers and consumers are opting to “disassemble” it, and locate the pieces strategically throughout the kitchen and elsewhere. Instead of a typical 84-inch unit, smaller refrigerator columns or fully hidden refrigerator drawers are being separated from the traditional freezer, opening up more counter space. In use since the 1990s, modular refrigeration gives users the flexibility to preserve the right product, in the right place, at the right temperature. This may involve a refrigerator drawer in the kitchen island, or an 18-inch solid-door refrigerator set to market mode to store fruits and vegetables near a prep sink, or a beverage center and clear ice machine in the wet bar, allowing for maximum customization for a particular lifestyle. Models with front ventilation systems offer the greatest flexibility, as they can be installed undercounter, in island applications, outdoors, wet bars, offices, etc., without the need for additional airflow. According to informal testing by manufacturers, switching from a traditional big box refrigerator to several smaller modular units does not result in a loss of refrigerator, freezer, or ice capacity.

THE KITCHEN TRIANGLE: THE TRADITIONAL APPROACH

To gain a better understanding of the impact of modular refrigeration, it is important to first understand the traditional kitchen triangle and its role in kitchen design. The kitchen work triangle is an ergonomic design principle and a traditional approach to configuring a kitchen space. It is defined by the imaginary lines that connect the three main kitchen work sites— the refrigerator, the sink, and the stove—and is intended to optimize the distance between them while reducing traffic in the work zone. In the classic kitchen triangle, each leg of the triangle should be between 4 and 9 feet. The total length of all three legs should be between 12 and 26 feet. Countertops should not intersect any leg of the triangle more than 12 inches. Major traffic flow should not move through the triangle.

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There are several variations of kitchen layouts based upon the kitchen triangle.

Kitchen layouts based upon the kitchen triangle are intended to keep the distance between the points workable—neither too close nor too far apart—so that kitchens will be easy to use. As can be seen in the accompanying illustration (see the online version of this course), there are several variations of the theme. In the L-shape configuration, the work area is protected. There is ample storage space, and dining areas can be accommodated. Corners, however, become wasted space. The U-shape is the most efficient work triangle. There is significant counter space. However, corners and walls, here again, make for wasted space, and this configuration can make for a dark kitchen, rather than an open-concept light kitchen. Many newer kitchens incorporate an island. In addition to offering additional counter and cabinet space, the island configuration also becomes a gathering space, promoting convivial communication and sociability. Two cooks can work easily at an island, which is ideal for preparation of family meals and including children in the process. A simple line configuration offers the advantages of an open layout and a good traffic f low; however, cabinet and counter space is limited. Finally, the galley kitchen, so typical in smaller homes and apartments, can provide inefficient kitchen choreography and can be problematic. While all appliances and cabinets are within easy reach, traffic f low is poor, and the space is too cramped to accommodate multiple cooks or to serve as a comfortable gathering spot.

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Seamlessly integrated refrigerators are now separated from the traditional fridge/freezer, opening up more counter space and extending the preservation of food and beverages.

MODULAR REFRIGERATION PRODUCTS: OPENING UP TRADITIONAL KITCHEN DESIGN

Single-unit refrigeration as we know it has pros and cons in modern kitchens. It clearly identifies the space as a kitchen, and works well if the kitchen is small and it is placed within the minimal number of steps between the sink and the oven/stove. If only one person is working in the kitchen and there is little or no traffic through the triangle work area, the traditional fridge is fine. However, the traditional fridge doesn’t allow users the flexibility to put items where they are most useful, nor is it efficient when there are multiple cooks or users in the kitchen at once. Not always practical in larger kitchen spaces, the traditional big box refrigerator forces us out of our natural instinct to work and organize in zones, and it takes up potential counter space.

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Modular freezer units maintain frozen goods

WITHOUT FREEZER BURN

Modular refrigeration units are a breakthrough in the sense that they obviate the need for the traditional kitchen triangle, enabling the kitchen to be more aligned with contemporary trends and personal preferences. Because modular refrigeration products can be placed anywhere in the kitchen, they suit storage and design needs, while providing greater convenience for the homeowner. In fact, refrigeration units can be installed in areas that would have previously been difficult to access, such as islands and pantries.

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A strategically placed beverage center chills drinks to their proper temperature, while cutting down on interference with traffic flow in the kitchen.

A kitchen is naturally divided into zones—cooking, prepping, cleanup, daily use, baking, freezer, and entertainment—each of which supports different behaviors, users, and situations. Modular refrigeration is intended to complement this design approach and is focused on the way the kitchen is used for entertaining, daily living, and meal prep, as well as on maximizing storage efficiency for varying lifestyles. While not a substitute for the full-size refrigerator and freezer, modular units are a specialized point-of-use refrigeration option that is meant to accommodate today’s evolving kitchen design trends and the changing nature of the domestic landscape and the way in which the kitchen space is utilized.

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Temperature-controlled storage for delicate items, adjustable interior configurations, and hygienic food storage features are some of the characteristics that help make modular units popular among home chefs.

There are several situations in which modular refrigeration can enhance layout and workflow. Units can be placed to preserve food and beverages near corresponding work areas. Modular refrigeration provides a more accessible area devoted to snacks and juices for children, which can take up significant space in the traditional fridge; or, modular units can be used exclusively to produce and preserve ice or wine for the beverage center, for example. A fridge placed near the edge of the kitchen will mean kids can grab a snack or adults a bottle of wine without interrupting meal preparation or traffic flow in the kitchen. Users who entertain frequently might opt for an “overflow fridge” to be utilized for parties or during the holidays. The result is still ergonomic, as the arrangement of units reflects the use and flow of the evolved kitchen space. The following schematic (see the online version of this course) shows a plan for distributing the modular refrigeration units to support the workflow.

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This example provides an approach to organizing modular units according to appropriate zone.

DESIGN OPTIONS WITH MODULAR REFRIGERATION

Modular refrigeration units are available with options that support today’s lifestyle choices.

Adjustable pre-programmed food and beverage modes. Temperature management systems provide users with the ability to choose settings that correspond to the types of foods and beverages that they maintain. Pre-programmed systems are available in which the user can choose from various modes that might include deli, market, root cellar, pantry, beverage, and polar mode. Deli mode (34 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit), for example, would recreate the showcase conditions of a delicatessen where proper preservation enables lunch meats, cheeses, and other delicacies to stay fresher and last longer. Market mode (34 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit) is for fresh fruits and vegetables, while the root cellar (45 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit) maintains crispness and preserves freshness of root vegetables without getting too cool. Factors like unstable temperature, light, bugs, and moisture all affect the extended preservation of dry goods, many of which are purchased in bulk. Pantry mode (34 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit) is intended to extend the life of dry goods like f lour, seasonings, and grains through an environment that maintains a stable temperature and ideal moisture level. Polar mode (-5 to 5 degrees Fahrenheit) maintains everyday frozen goods, like ice cream, without the hassle of freezer burn.

Alternatively, the temperature can be adjusted based on personal preferences within each mode. Temperature settings typically range from 34 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

Adjustable shelves. In many modular refrigeration units, tempered glass shelves can be individually adjusted vertically for optimum space utilization.

Custom combination units. Many manufacturers offer the ability to create a customized configuration, combing refrigeration and wine, or wine and ice. Varying sizes and configurations are available for a wide range of situations from an all-in-one unit for extended stay guests, or as a refreshment center when entertaining, or as a typical kitchen workhorse

Crisper drawers ensure extended preservation of food and beverages and enhanced accessibility. Kitchens designed for health-conscious homeowners can utilize appliances that support a healthy lifestyle such as refrigerators with larger full-extension and removable crisper drawers, ensuring extended food preservation.

Lighting. Lighting options in modular products offer flexibility. On many models, the interior lighting, can be set to automatically turn off when the door is closed (default), or stay on for extended periods; and the interior light brightness can also be set to low, medium, or high, depending on personal preference. Some modular refrigeration products offer a unique 'LED Theater Lighting' feature, which gently illuminates when the door is opened, then softly dims off.

High production and capacity ice machines. The industry offers models with a high daily production of up to 60 pounds of restaurant-quality crystal clear ice cubes, and 30 pounds of ice storage capacity. Clear ice machine models do not allow air bubbles, gas, particulate, and chlorine to freeze in the cubes, providing restaurant-quality ice in the home. A clean indicator notifies the user when cleaning the unit is necessary, with an integrated quick 45-minute cleaning cycle available. Ice machines can be put in a silent mode by temporarily suspending operation for several hours.

Beverage centers. These units can be integrated into any application in the kitchen, or in an office, gym, or even bathroom. Temperatures can be adjusted to chill beverages down to 34°F. Most beverage centers are designed with adjustable glass shelving to accommodate various bottle sizes, including soda, juice, and water, and combination wine racks that are sufficiently large to accommodate oversized bottles such as champagne and craft beer bottles. Advanced models offer a control system with three distinct modes to chill various types of wine at the appropriate temperature. For example, sparkling wine is chilled to 38°F - 50°F, white wine to 45°F - 55°F, and red wine to 55°F - 65°F. A rubber-mounted compressor will eliminate vibration and the addition of low-E coated, argon gas-filled thermopane glass will help maintain energy efficiency and temperature stability while protecting beverages like wine against harmful UV light.

Design Advantages

Modular refrigeration is in sync with today's trend toward personalizing appliances and provides flexibility to support different activities, lifestyles, and behaviors. Auxiliary storage is gained, and overall kitchen choreography becomes more efficient by alleviating congestion and streamlining the workflow. The varying heights and configuration scenarios are also consistent with the principles of universal design and accessibility.

A sound investment. A modular kitchen can also prove to be a good investment for the homeowner. Along with other high-end kitchen options, state-of-the-art appliances are required to create a premium lifestyle in a home. Modular refrigeration provides the features that enrich the kitchen experience with the latest in cooling technology, coupled with style and sophisticated design.

Gourmet worthy. With the proliferation of cooking shows, high-end restaurants, and general increased consciousness of all things culinary, many home chefs have raised the bar on their cooking experience. Those who consider themselves discerning gourmets require a combination of utility and style in their home's centerpiece, the kitchen. Temperature-controlled storage for delicate items, adjustable interior configurations, hygienic food storage features, and professional-grade appearance are among the features that modular refrigeration can provide for demanding cooks.

Aesthetics. For the clean aesthetic quality prevalent in today's kitchens, modular refrigeration units with premium finishes in white, black, and stainless steel are generally available industry-wide, as are various integrated panel options. Industry watchers have noted a trend towards open space modular kitchen designs that incorporate horizontal lines and open shelving rather than closed upper cabinets. Manufacturers are following suit with models that support this design direction through products with horizontal linear elements, rather than breaking up the design with vertical lines.

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European or frameless integration creates a sleek look in the kitchen."

Versatility. Modular refrigeration units are available in many configurations, including undercounter and built-in, and most modular products are available in various widths—15, 18, 24, 36 inches with many ADA height-compliant options available. Modular units are typically intended to fit into a standard cabinetry depth of 24 inches. Custom integrated panels can assure proper seamless integration with cabinetry, essentially allowing the appliances to disappear in the space.

ON TREND

Social and economic trends are driving modular kitchen design. With a questionable economy and many parts of the country still not fully recovered from the Great Recession, people are staying longer in the their existing homes, rather than trading up, and they are aging in place. Younger generations are leaving the nest later, too, all resulting in the fact that multiple generations are increasingly living under a single roof, each group with different needs and preferences.

Multi-Generational Usage

These social and economic realities are being felt all the way down to the kitchen. Family life is getting busier, yet at the same time, families still want to have the opportunity to spend time together. In response, multifunctional kitchens are becoming more commonplace. New monikers for the kitchen include the “Family Studio,” the “Living Kitchen,” and “The Two Kitchen Kitchen.” The walls are breaking down between the kitchen and living areas. Many living rooms, laundry rooms, offices, and kitchens are now becoming open-flow combo rooms. There are laundry/family rooms, kitchen/family rooms, and kitchen/offices, so that family members can congregate in one place. Maximum counter space has become ever more important as kitchens accommodate many people working at the same time as well as the increasing intrusion of electronics, computers, and work stations into the kitchen area. In many instances, specific zones are being designated for certain activities, such as reserving the kitchen island for homework, or using multiple islands for different purposes, one for preparing food and one for entertaining or as a family gathering or discussion spot. In many cases, one side of the kitchen is being treated as a “work” area and the other side is treated as a connecting element between the kitchen/family room.

These factors and trends have a distinct impact on remodeling decisions, with existing kitchens often upgraded for greater personalization, function, and comfort. Industry watchers say that resale is not always the primary driver of remodeling in this environment—changing lifestyle needs have proven to be a key consideration, too.

An Aging Population

Demographics represent another key driver of design. Baby boomers constitute the largest demographic, and have far different needs than the next most populous group, Generation Y. By virtue of their sheer number and their purchasing power, baby boomers are going to be a significant market force in home design and remodeling.

According to Joel Kotkin's new book, The Next Hundred Million, more support for this thesis comes from a 2010 study showing, “In 1970, 20 percent of Americans moved annually. That figure dropped to 14 percent in 2004, and by 2008, it dropped to 10 percent. Ninety percent of people over 50 would rather stay where they are than move to a retirement destination such as Florida.” As the trend to aging in place intensifies among baby boomers and the Silent and GI Generations, an older population will be a driving force in remodels that incorporate both the requirements of the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), and the principles of universal design. Designing an ADA-compliant kitchen will be predicated on accessibility to sinks, cabinets, countertops, and appliances to serve this aging market segment and meet design needs. There are specialized undercounter ADA height-compliant options that pertain to modular solutions. Specifically, ADA-compliant appliances must be designed to install under the federally mandated requirement of a 34-inch-high countertop, and have controls that are easily accessible and allow for single-hand operation.

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Demographics represent a key driver of design, and as the population ages, kitchens will become more ADA compliant and reflective of universal design."

Universal design will also become much more prevalent in kitchen design and specification. While lacking the legislative teeth of the ADA requirements, universal design is increasingly informing private and public spaces. Universal design, which involves designing products and spaces so that they can be used by the widest range of people possible, considers “the full range of human diversity, including physical, perceptual, and cognitive abilities, as well as different body sizes and shapes.” By designing for this diversity, products can be more functional and more user-friendly for people at every level throughout their various life phases. In the kitchen, there will be a greater need to design in adaptable elements meant to accommodate changing life stages. These elements may range from the use of induction cooking appliances to adjustable counters, easy access cabinetry, and as has been mentioned, ADA height-compliant undercounter appliances including modular refrigeration units. Of course, universal design is not just focused on seniors; it considers adaptability in the space so that the space can evolve appropriately through a person's life stages. To that end, there will be more attention brought to kitchen design and flows in terms of clearances, size, reach, counter heights, and sight lines. Industry watchers anticipate that universal design modifications will be among the future growth areas and their impact will be felt throughout the real estate market.

Remodeling—The Wave of the Future

Remodeling projects are projected to increase in the coming years. With 80 percent of owner occupied and rental homes in the nation over 30 years old, remodeling opportunities are plentiful. While investments in remodeling have declined by about $2 billion between 2005 and 2010, remodeling is still attractive to most homeowners, particularly those with household incomes of more than $100,000. As has been mentioned, one reason homeowners opt to remodel is that they are staying in their homes longer. In fact, according to a recent NARI (National Association of the Remodeling Industry) poll, about 1 in 4 respondents will stay an additional 16 to 20 years, while about 1 in 5 said they would stay another 6 to 10 years in their homes. More than 1 in 5 homeowners have completed a remodeling project or plan to remodel in the next two years rather than move, and as many as 6 in 10 have done some remodeling in the last two years. 1 in 3 respondents in the NARI poll cited staying in place or increasing energy efficiency as the key drivers of their remodeling project.

Remodeling has become more focused on creating a comfortable, functional space that is highly personalized to the homeowners' lifestyle needs. Homeowners are adding amenities to their living experiences like expanded kitchens, with modular refrigeration a key design element of this shift in the way the kitchen space is being used. While a significant outlay for a homeowner, a kitchen remodel is still a good investment despite the soft economy and the housing market. Typically, a kitchen remodel involves new cabinetry, the addition of islands, and a complete restructuring of the kitchen environment from floor to ceiling. As such, it is an opportunity for restructuring the flow of the kitchen and the integration of specialized modular refrigeration to accommodate lifestyle needs.

Technology in the Kitchen

Technology has changed the way we live, socialize, shop, and learn. Universally, technology usage has substantially increased across all demographic groups. With ease of information, the modern homeowner in every demographic has become more educated about the design process and what they want. For the modern kitchen, technology is about adding convenience. From smart phone and tablet controlled lighting, refrigerators with alarms, and thermostats to induction cooktops with memory settings that adapt as the cook moves pots from burner to burner, technology enables increased ease of functionality. Modular refrigeration units are no exception. Many models are fitted with USB ports and digital screens to provide more efficient service notifications and diagnostics. Electronic features allowing personalized temperature settings or the ability to set blackout or Sabbath modes are becoming increasingly common as well. The evolving role of technology has impacted and will continue to impact kitchen and appliance design for the foreseeable future. Technology and its role in the home continues to evolve both in appliances themselves and in the increasing presence of computers and work stations in the kitchen space.

INTEGRATION

Because they are primarily a built-in design solution, integration into cabinetry is fundamental to modular refrigeration units. Select appliances can be integrated into surrounding cabinetry with the application of integrated panels or frames and integrated toe-kicks. It is important to note the depth of the unit to determine if it will fit within your counter depth and style of cabinet frame. There are three basic types of cabinet integration with different requirements.

Overlay/face frame. This is a standard 24-inch-deep base cabinet with a face frame structure that supports doors and drawers that close onto the face of the frame. The overall depth from the front of the cabinet door or drawer to the back of the base cabinet is approximately 24-3/4 inches deep.

Inset. This is a 24-inch-deep base cabinet with doors and drawers that close within the frame. The overall depth from the front of the cabinet door or drawer to the back of the base cabinet is 24 inches deep.

European/frameless. This integration scenario involves a 24-inch-deep base cabinet with no visible frame structure on the outer face of the cabinet. Doors and drawers fully cover the face frame area of the cabinet case and have minimal reveals or gaps between doors and drawers. The overall depth from the front of the cabinet door or drawer to the back of the base cabinet is 24-3/4 inches deep.

That said, most manufacturers offer the ability to customize the location, height, and attributes of their products to ensure seamless integration.

KITCHEN DESIGN TRENDS IN REFRIGERATION

Now let's take a look at today's kitchen design trends and how modular refrigeration fits in. It has been mentioned that there is a move to greater personalization in the kitchen space and that transitional design surpasses traditional in terms of popularity. In a study by the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA), the popularity of the transitional design style came out ahead of traditional design for the first time since the organization tracked these trends in 2008. Transitional design is defined as a blend of traditional and contemporary and embodies a move towards cleaner lines and simpler designs than traditional or the old-world kitchen designs. The kitchen triangle is dying as a natural byproduct of these shifts in design trends. Today's kitchens have changed from a place of meal preparation to the heart of the home. As kitchens expand into living spaces, modular refrigeration becomes more desirable with its specialized point-of-use applications. As more casual/transitional design with its clean lines and its continuing goal of integrating appliances into the design takes hold, modular refrigeration will become a natural byproduct of this shift in design aesthetic. The move towards integration and “hiding” the appliances and blending them into the overall design—an aesthetic that reflects not only the transitional aesthetic but the overall trend towards personalization in kitchen design. It is also interesting to note that built-in appliances are moving into even traditional kitchens with less emphasis on showcasing and more on blending.

A Kitchen Bath Design News (KBDN) study reinforces this take on current trends. When asked which style of kitchen do you expect to increase most in popularity over the coming 12 months, transitional/casual design was cited most frequently as the style that will dominate specifications across all segments with the exception of the independent designer. The independent designer sees a roughly equal growth in transitional/casual and contemporary/modern designs.

In another trend, green design continues to have importance as reflected by the selection of ENERGY STAR®-approved appliances to selection of such materials as low-VOC paint to dedicated recycling centers integrated into under-cabinet space. Appliances will become more energy efficient as energy standards get stricter. Effective September 15, 2014 the DOE published a final rule amending the federal standards for refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers, and freezers. These standards are based on configuration, presence of an automatic ice maker, whether the product is built-in, and adjusted volume. This ruling has important implications for household refrigeration as it reduces current allowable energy consumption by 20-30 percent per appliance, depending on the category. Ice making has now been added and further test requirements apply. Manufacturers have been required to comply with the DOE standards for residential refrigerators and freezers since 1990. Later standards in 1993 and 2001 promoted additional savings, and those in 2014 will save an estimated 5.6 quads of energy for energy bill savings of $97 billion for products shipped from 2014-2043, while avoiding carbon dioxide emissions equivalent to taking 57.8 million automobiles off the road.

MODULAR REFRIGERATION: IDEAL FOR TODAY’S LIFESTYLES

Modular refrigeration is a natural byproduct of the trend towards personalization in kitchen design. It provides the ultimate in flexibility and convenience through point of use, specialized appliances such as ice makers, wine preservation units, refrigerators, drawer units, freezers, and beverage centers that are tailored to today's lifestyles and create a highly personalized kitchen design for the homeowner's specific needs. Consumers can choose from multiple alternatives in specialized refrigeration products, their size and finish, and integration options. Modular refrigeration is a solution whose time has come. It dovetails with the most important kitchen trends of personalization, zone-based work flow, and a more open kitchen/living space as well as with the overall social movement towards aging in place and the preference for green design and technologically smart appliances. As such, modular refrigeration represents an important element of the design imperative for today's kitchens.

For over five decades, U-Line continues to be the American leader in innovation, quality, and performance in the premium modular ice making, refrigeration, and wine preservation market. U-Line’s product collection includes Wine Captain® Models, Beverage Centers, Clear Ice Machines, Crescent Ice Makers, Glass & Solid Door Refrigerators, Drawer Models, Freezers, and Combo® Models. www.u-line.com