Eco-enthusiast and Self-Build expert, Duncan Stewart joined CEO of Miele Ireland Patrick McGrath and David Rafter from Arena Kitchens to announce the winners of the third annual NCAD Kitchen of the Future Competition in association with Miele.

 

The winners were two Industrial Design Students, Fiachra Kinch from Tralee, Co.Kerry and Helen Nic Giolla Rua from Ballymun in Dublin.  The students created The Miele Soma, a wall-mounted kitchen energy monitor and appliance manager with remote control.  Soma empowers users by supplying more detailed information and allowing greater control of energy usage, in anticipation of increasing energy prices and more flexible tariffs.  In conjunction with a smart meter energy rates, costs, cycle times and estimated carbon emissions are regularly updated on a personalised touch display allowing users to make more informed decisions.  It also allows the user to review their history of energy usage and to set targets.  Additional benefits include greater customer support by facilitating regular cycle updates and breakdown assistance.

Guest judge on the evening Duncan Stewart commented, ‘the Miele Soma is the brains of your home, this smart-meter idea engages all areas of the house saving up to 30% of energy use.  The Miele Soma is so clever in so many different ways and will influence people in all levels of their home.’

 

 

Joint-runners up on the evening were; David Barry from Killeshandra, Co Cavan and Laurence Finnegan, from Ashbourne, Co Meath, who created Lotus, a ground-breaking wireless cooking system designed to replace the conventional static hob.  It offers unsurpassed flexibility and adaptability making the cooking experience easier and more enjoyable.  The next runner-up on the evening was Asheena Naidoo from Dunboyne, Co.Meath with the Sidewinder vacuum cleaner.  The Sidewinder uses technology based on that of the Segway, designed for small homes and apartments, it negotiates space due to its independent motion wheels which corner obstacles rather then bumping into them. 

 

CEO of Miele Ireland Patrick McGrath commented, ‘we are proud to be associated with NCAD once again for the third year running in this Student Kitchen of the Future competition.  The level of detail in the construction of each project is outstanding; this is a result of research, passion and enthusiasm of the students for their designs.  All of the judges were extremely impressed with the quality and professionalism presented in each appliance’.

 

The state-of-the-art 5,000 sq ft Miele Gallery in Citywest hosted the event, which saw eight teams of final year students in the School for Design in Industry present their projects.  This competition provides an ideal platform for innovation, enterprise and interaction with the budding Irish designers who focus primarily on sustainability, energy conservation and the environment.