When home automation came onto the real estate scene in the mid-70s, the futuristic proposals clashed with the incredulity of users who were only used to seeing that kind of use of technology in sci-fi films. But the passage of time has proven that the use of artificial intelligence can help to solve our small everyday problems, and ever more companies are developing techniques, materials and solutions to be applied realistically (and practically) in our day to day lives.

From controlling blinds or being able to increase and decrease room temperature with a simple mobile application to connecting to a camera to remotely view the interior of the property. Automating a property allows lighting, security, water, energy and many other services to be self-managed, with multiple benefits ranging from optimal management to streamlining and energy saving. It was just a matter of time until this concept was also to be applied to furniture, now known as Smart Furniture, particularly wardrobes. These are a key component in any bedroom, and they go far beyond a simple storage solution.

“Wardrobes have taken on a great deal of value, they are part of the architecture and must be integrated into the whole. Before, they were simply a storage item, we now want them to order the clothes in a way that is visually pleasing, while also being practical for the user", explains architect Ramón Esteve, first-prize winner at the Arquitectura Interior COACV 2011-2013 awards.

From his architectural and design studio, which he founded in Valencia in 1991, he has developed interior design projects and collaborations such as the Lignage collection he created for Noken and which in 2019 was named the best bathroom design at the IF Design Awards. Adding practical elements to aesthetics are, for him, the two pillars upon which the future of interior design is based. “All these functionalities are very welcome. In terms of whether there remains anything left to be invented, I’m in no doubt that the evolution and change in lifestyles will create new needs that must be met”, he adds.

As Marcelo Alegre, CEO of the Valencia based Alegre Design studio, explains, “today we ask that a piece of furniture perfectly fulfils its basic function, or even that it improves upon it. In the future, in addition to its use, we will want them to provide services, just as a smartphone does now. As well as the ability to make phone calls, modern phones put innumerable services in the palm of your hand”. A new dimension to which the furniture sector is not exempt and one in which the sector is making efforts with proposals that seek to bring an added value of practicality to design and aesthetics. However, the inclusion of technology at this level is already a reality in other sectors with a greater capacity for consumption, such as the automobile and textile sectors, and while the penetration of these new advances is gradually reaching the furniture sector, the added value sought is that of functionality.

Integrating technological advances into the design of wardrobes is one of the most popular trends today, and the diversity of options stretch our imaginations almost to the limit. The smart wardrobe already comes in a surprising number of different forms and the latest proposals from international firms really show it.

Ozone cabinet, disinfection at a whole new level

The current health emergency we are experiencing makes the Ozone Cabinet wardrobe from the Italian firm Ludovica Mascheroni very attractive. The two-door unit offers a custom interior and incorporates an electric motor that emits ozone, the most effective odourless gas capable of eliminating microorganisms, bacteria and bad  mells without damaging fabrics. With 99% effectiveness, the process can be programmed, from a screen on the outside of the door, an infinite number of times for periods ranging from 5 to 15 minutes.

“We had already started to develop the technology before the pandemic arrived”, said Fabio Mascheroni and Roberta Caglio, the founders of the brand. “But now demand has grown, as the attention and need for disinfection at the domestic level is very high. It is a piece with the most advanced technology of Italian craftsmanship”. 

AirDresser, no more creases

Another big name in household appliances, Samsung, has just presented AirDresser, which promises to be the true game changer on the market, the definitive solution for those with neither the time nor the desire to iron. The first prototype was presented last year and the stir and hype it generated was such that they are already ready to market it in Europe, although the price is not yet official.

AirDresser is a cubicle that as well as refreshing and disinfecting clothes, also irons them. All this is done by means of a system of hangers and air jets that eliminate creases at low temperatures to prevent damage. First, the clothes are refreshed by the Jet Air technology, which prepares them for the second step, the Jet Steam function, a steam jet with which the garments are gently disinfected to eliminate bacteria. The Heatpump Drying system then gently dries clothes at a low temperature to prevent damage.

Emotions by Gamadecor, eco consciousness

The Emotions wardrobes by Gamadecor offer a new vision that is meeting the current requirements concerning sustainability and respect for the environment. In the industrial inspiration behind these straight-line dressing units with a large storage capacity, functionality also plays a very important role. Moreover, doors and vertical panels have been removed with the intention of increasing visual lightness, simplifying the design to facilitate order.

“The success of this line lies in its versatility, in fitting into different environments”, adds Ramón Esteve, who has worked with them on several installations he has built for Porcelanosa.

Made from aluminium with lacquered wood interiors and original materials as innovative as Krion and XLight, and with fully modulated structures, they are not only a great storage and organisation solution, but also the panels used for the cabinets have the lowest certified formaldehyde emission in the CARB-2 classification. Formaldehyde is a volatile organic compound commonly used in multiple industrial applications including the production of varnishes, paints, glues, fabric stiffening and cosmetic preservatives. Therefore, this unit is a clear commitment to a more sustainable and healthier world.

Text by Laura Irigoyen

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