Page 56 - Special Awards Issue 2016 Green Builder Magazine

iNNOVATION UPDATE

European Styling for American Homes

Thoroughly conceived compact appliances appeal to urban dwellers and
downsizing empty nesters alike.

ABY BARBARA HORWITZ-BENNETT CREDIT: BOSCH HOME APPLIANCES
MERICAN HOMES KEEP
getting bigger, and so do the
appliances found inside the
typical home. But concurrent
with that trend is another one,
seen in developments such as the Tiny House
movement and the increasing popularity of
“micro-apartments.”

“Empty nesters are downsizing, and young
professionals are moving to big cities with
small apartments, and even smaller kitchens,”
says Dan Kenny, director of brand marketing
for Bosch Home Appliances. “Compact
appliances are also in demand for secondary
spaces throughout the home, such as a
basement or media room.”

While this small unit trend originated in
Europe, it has migrated in a big way to the U.S.,
where builders are seeking quality options
capable of fitting into smaller residential
spaces—appliances that retain all of the style,
performance features and options of their
larger counterparts.

A NEW MARKET NICHE Compact Kitchen. Bosch’s 24-inch appliance line is responding to increasing demand for
high-end solutions for small spaces.
Bringing its European design techniques
and brand name to the home appliance

marketplace, Bosch unveiled its 24-inch kitchen set to the North features. The Bosch’s 24” 500 Series Counter-Depth Bottom-Freezer

American market in 2015. The series includes a wall oven, glass door Refrigerator has been named Energy Star’s Most Efficient for 2016

refrigerator and electric and gas stovetops. A compact washer and and uses just 337 kWh annually. Features include HydroFresh

dryer complete the 24-inch appliance clan. drawers to keep fruits and vegetables fresh longer and all-level and

Although notably smaller than regular-sized 30-inch and 36-inch sidewall LED lighting. A hidden hinge and reversible doors allows

kitchen and laundry room appliances, the slimmer appliances can still for next-to-wall placement and nearly flush installation.

meet most households’ volume demands. Bosch’s 24-inch refrigerator,
for example, delivers 11 cubic feet of food storage, along with a large THE REST OF THE FAMILY
capacity freezer. Similarly, the laundry pairs can accommodate full- The gas and electric cooktops show off sleek European styling.

size loads and wash and dry up to 18 towels in one load. Notable features offered by the 24-inch wall oven include 10 cooking

The slimmer units are efficient and packed with performance modes, with special categories like frozen food and pie modes, dual-

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