An Eco-friendly Alternative to Boring Appliances

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The latest from James Stumpf, this series of appliances (toaster, mixer, and blender) utilizes sustainable and unconventional materials to make each not only more eco-friendly but stylistically different than examples currently on the market. The series is characterized by its heavy usage of steam-bent bamboo plywood and glass as well as visibility to the inner workings of each machine. The result are beatiful appliances almost completely redefined as we know them!

Part one of the series is a toaster designed using steam-bent bamboo plywood, glass toasting trays, a 2″x1″ touchscreen and quick-cooling coils embedded within the glass toasting trays. Gone is the bizarre popup mechanisms of toaster’s past – the toaster features wide, easy access slots. The heating coils feature quick-cooling technology and the UI tells the user when its safe to grab their toasty treats. Bamboo and glass are both sustainable and renewable and the design uses no plastic and minimal metal.

Part two of the series is a kitchen stand mixer designed using a steam-bent bamboo plywood frame, glass mixing bowel and pulleys and an exhibition belt drive system. The steam-bent bamboo plywood frame exposes the motor, the belt drive system and the gear-train in the mixing head. The motor speed is controlled with the knob mounted in the back on the electric drive motor. The belt design was inspired by a vintage watchmakers lathe and is guided on two glass idler pulleys. Bamboo and glass are both sustainable and renewable and the design uses no plastic and moderate amounts of metal.

Part three of the series is a kitchen blender designed using a machined bamboo frame, a glass blending chamber and an exhibition belt drive system visible through a glass base. The electric motor is concealed in the machined bamboo cylinder and connects to the blending chamber through a belt drive system that gears the motor up to a 2:1 ratio. The belt design was inspired by a vintage watchmakers lathe and is concealed behind a thick glass base/platform for the blender. The motor’s speed is controlled with the aluminum knob above the bamboo cylinder. The blending chamber is made entirely of glass and features a low-profile stainless steel chopping blade. Bamboo and glass are both sustainable and renewable and the design uses no plastic and moderate amounts of metal.

Designer: James Stumpf

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