La Casa Prossima Futura

This was Philips Design showcase for 'the home of the near future'. It was 1999 and it  demonstrated where Philips was heading in the new millenium. On show were the ideas of the Philips Design team led by Stefano Marzano, managing director since 1991 to this day. The concept was to integrate new technology into the home that would enhance our lifestyles in a previously unknown, harmonious ecological and sustainable way. It revolved around the home network, bringing the homes inhabitants together with technology for warm fuzzies. So it featured induction tablecloths, emotion containers, interactive mirrors, intelligent aprons, two-way kitchen to dining table communicators and bio-responsive high-performance sportwear, to name a few.

Quite a bit of this technology has made it onto the market since 1999. There is Sony's Eyetoy, Amazon's Kindle, Glass kettles, Nike+ accessories, LG's internet appliances, Squeezebox etc. though none of it talks to one another in a harmonious manner.

I was living in an apartment that had a Philips kettle and toaster (custard cream puff yellow blobjects with rounded orange detail) that had similar design language to these products, they all have a distinct 'Alessi' feel to them.

I look forward to the day I can have a glass sided toaster that works perfectly and is safe too.




Marzano, S. (1999). La Casa Prossima Futura. Royal Philips Electronics