Bulthaup

Bulthaup Concept 12 (1974)

Bulthaup Kitchen Workbench (1988) and Bulthaup System 20 furniture

In 1949, Martin Bulthaup, originally from the East Westphalia area of Germany, founded the company Martin Bulthaup Möbelfabrik (German for Martin Bulthaup furniture factory) in Bodenkirchen, close to Landshut. Two years later, in 1951, he began manufacturing kitchen furniture. His first product was a sideboard with hand-sewn curtains.[2] In 1963, Martin Bulthaup built a factory in Bodenkirchen, followed by a further production facility in Neumarkt-Sankt Veit in 1966. At both sites, he introduced assembly lines.[3]

In 1969, Bulthaup launched its Stil 75 product range. [4] By the late 1960s, the company was one of the top five German kitchen manufacturers with a revenue of 100 million Deutsche Marks. From 1973 onwards, it began exporting its products to members of the then European Economic Community.[5]

In 1974, Bulthaup introduced its Concept 12, or c12, model. It enabled flexible kitchen designs, based on a 12 x 12 cm grid.[6]

Following Martin Bulthaup's death in 1978, his son Gerd Bulthaup took on the reins of the company. He built a new production facility in Aich, uniting various business departments and corporate functions. Gerd, in seeking to expand the business, came into contact with the designer Otl Aicher, whose design ideas were largely based on the principles of the Ulm School of Design which favours simplified forms and functionality.[7]

1980 marked the beginning of Bulthaup’s collaboration with designer Otl Aicher. It was Aicher’s belief that the kitchen should be an inviting place where meals are prepared together; where all the required tools and implements are clearly visible, and stored within easy reach. In 1982, Aicher published his book Die Küche zum Kochen (The Kitchen is for Cooking).[8]

This same year Bulthaup launched its System b kitchens, inspired by Aicher’s research. In 1988, the Bulthaup Kitchen Workbench (KWB) followed, combining a stainless steel cooktop, sink and worktop. The workbench brought design elements typical of professional kitchens into the private setting, and went on to win multiple awards.[6]

Bulthaup System 25 with Bulthaup exhaust hood und Duktus furniture (1992)

Bulthaup System 20 (1997)

1992 was the year of Bulthaup’s System 25. Its modular structure and diverse components enabled flexible kitchen design. The name System 25 was derived from the 3D 25 x 25 x 25 mm grid the range was based on.[9] System 25’s broad range of fronts and surface materials allowed each part of the kitchen to be carefully planned according to its purpose. Items that needed to be particularly hard-wearing could be produced using stainless steel, combined with glass, wood, or laminate surfaces.[10] The new Bulthaup extractor, whose form and function were based on those used in professional kitchens, won several awards.[11] During this period, Bulthaup also developed and launched Korpus and Duktus seating.[6]

In 1997, Bulthaup launched the mobile System 20, with its wheeled containers and freely positionable elements.[12] Each item could be combined as the customer wished and placed anywhere in the room where there was an electricity and water supply.

In 2002, Gerd Bulthaup retired from the day-to-day running of the business. The company went on to be headed up by several external managers before returning to the family in 2010, under the leadership of Marc O. Eckert.[4]

In 2004, the materials and adhesives that Bulthaup used to produce its kitchens were tested by the German consumer magazine Öko-Test (eco-test) – verifying that they were not harmful to health. Both Bulthaup and fellow manufacturers Poggenpohl were categorized as “satisfactory”.[13]

b1 takes a purist approach to the kitchen. The doors and pull-outs can all be opened without handles. The lower prices attract a younger target audience. In comparison to the b3 range, there is also a reduced number of options for surfaces, worktops and units.[6] [14]

The b2 range is a continuation of Otl Aicher’s “kitchen workshop”. It comprises two cabinets housing everything from dishes to a refrigerator, dishwasher and oven. Each item is immediately accessible as soon as the doors are opened. A workbench incorporates the water point and cooktop. And the interior of the cabinets and the workbench both have a modular design.

One of the defining elements of the b3 range is the multi-function wall installed in front of the actual wall, for hanging kitchen utensils, cabinets, and other elements. These can be freely positioned according to the requirements of the specific room. The result is a kitchen that appears to float. But the multi-function wall doesn’t only support kitchen tools and cabinets. Knife blocks, kitchen roll holders and shelves can also be hung from its grooves. In addition, function boxes with hinged openings provide additional storage space, keeping all utensils, food, and herbs and spices close to hand. [15]

Other Bulthaup brand products include tables, benches, extractors, faucets, lighting and other accessories designed for private kitchens.[16]