re:Kitchen

What it does

re:Kitchen is a line of circular kitchen appliances for Openfunk that reduces e-waste and empowers user self-repair. Focusing on high-waste products, we designed re:Brew, a coffee machine using reusable capsules, and re:Crisp, a fully disassemblable toaster.

Your inspiration

Buying electronics has never been easier, but as convenience grows, product lifespans also become increasingly shorter. Damaged or broken appliances are often discarded entirely, even when only a single part is faulty. This contributes to the growing problem of e-waste, much of which cannot be recycled. We were motivated to change this pattern by inspiring people to hold onto their appliances longer and empower them to repair and revive what they already own to give products a meaningful second life.

How it works

To execute the vision of genuine repairability, we focused on sustainability during the design process at every level—from function and materiality to disassembly and repair. The internal components of each product are assembled and grouped through easily identifiable parts, simplifying the user's interaction with the machine both during and post-use in disassembly and repair. Parts most prone to failure—such as the pump and boiler—are housed in a single removable module that can be easily accessed and replaced. The outer casing, made from recycled ABS plastic, secures all components using screws, avoiding adhesives entirely. The exposed hardware also provides users a visual guidance for users looking to understanding and maintaining their appliances. As an added layer, appliances share the same outer casing to reduce the carbon footprint in manufacturing.

Design process

We started this project with a central focus on seeking ways to promote longevity through products. We wanted to make the idea of fixing appliances not just accessible, but also engaging and familiar. We started by identifying the kitchen appliances people use most frequently, then focused on those most prone to breaking and contributing to e-waste. This led us to redesign the coffee capsule machine (re:Brew) and toaster (re:Crisp), exploring how repairability could be embedded directly into their design. For re:Brew, an additional challenge was finding the balance between sustainability and desirability. The convenience of single-use coffee capsules is what makes them so appealing—but it’s also what makes them unsustainable. Our solution involved rethinking the entire user experience: How can we offer a similarly seamless experience using reusable capsules? We went through multiple design iterations, refining both the capsule to account for sealing, pressure and volume, as well as the brewing mechanism to make the process feel intuitive and satisfying. We drew inspiration from portafilters found in traditional espresso machines.

How it is different

In addition to fostering genuine repairability, our main innovation in the re:Brew coffee machine centers around the immersive experience of using reusable coffee capsules in attempts to reduce the waste generated by single-use coffee capsules. It uses a durable stainless steel capsule that users can fill with their own choice of beans, ensuring both convenience and personalization. To brew a cup of coffee, the user inserts the reusable capsule into the brewing mechanism inspired by the portafilter from traditional espresso machines. The tactile experience of inserting the capsule and rotating handle creates an engaging interaction that brings excitement and joy into the ritual of preparing the morning cup of coffee. Most importantly, parts not traditionally seen as repairable, like the heating element in toasters, are now made accessible through a modular, repair-focused design in re:Crisp and re:Brew.

Future plans

Our future aim is to expand the vision of genuine repairability—originally inspired by Openfunk—beyond the kitchen and into other areas of the home. We hope to grow re:Kitchen from a brand extension into a cohesive ecosystem of modular, repairable appliances that rethink how we interact with everyday electronics. By working closely with industry insights, we aim to better understand market needs and identify where circular design can meet mainstream demand. We’re also excited to collaborate with local manufacturers and explore open-source production, supporting our commitment to sustainability, accessibility, and long-lasting design.

Awards