1990s to Today: Smart Home Product Design
Visionary brands have collaborated with Sundberg-Ferar to push the boundaries of what a seamless and hassle-free home experience can be. Together with these partners, Sundberg-Ferar has been answering the evergreen question: “What is the ideal home experience of the future?” Through our innovation strategy and tactical product development expertise, these brands partner with us to redefine the boundaries of home technology.
Before smart and connected homes were the norm, we partnered with Sunbeam in the 1990s to realize a suite of connected home appliances. The Thalia suite of connected appliances demonstrated functional capabilities and experiential benefits to deliver a more connected and efficient kitchen environment. By leveraging our design expertise, Sunbeam realized their vision of a smart kitchen, showing how our partnership brought their innovative ideas to life.
But our pioneering efforts in home technology go even deeper. In the 1950s, we designed the Whirlpool Miracle Kitchen, which toured the world at the American National Exhibit in Moscow in ’59 and the New York World Fair. While in Moscow, it even sparked the famous kitchen debate between Nixon and Khruschev. Learn more about the history of the Miracle Kitchen, Sundberg-Ferar, and Kitchen Debate. This kitchen showcased technical innovations such as high-tech gas-powered appliances and the visionary concept of voice-controlled functionality. These early innovations laid the groundwork for the smart kitchens we know today, highlighting how our collaboration with Whirlpool set the stage for future advancements.
Today, brands we know and trust in home appliances and those disrupting the industry continue to partner with us, such as SproutsIO, Electrolux, Kenmore, Insinkerator, Delta, Masco, and others. As we celebrate 90 years of design, we continue to define the future of the smart home in both large and small household appliances. By collaborating with us, our clients achieve groundbreaking success, ensuring that together, we will keep leading the way in home appliance design.
Visit our landing page to learn more:
- See stories of iconic design from our 90-year legacy of innovation.
- Learn how we’ve designed successful and profitable products for companies in your vertical.
- Get in touch to chat with us about your next project.