New Idea Monday: Fan Form & Function

There is a long raging debate in the design world about form vs. function. Many designers focus on what looks great while others pay more attention to making it all work. Nowhere is this idea more prevalent than in the appliance industry.

I am one of those designers who focuses on the function side of things, so I’m always excited when I find a new appliance that works well, but is really knocks it out of the park on the design front. A couple weeks ago I stumbled across this extractor (hood fan) design from Airone. Called the Moon, it is rated at just under 600cfm so it will handle most kitchen needs.

The Moon reminded me of a couple other manufacturers who make similar extractors.

Zephyr’s Tilt wal can go as high as 1000cfm, and features six angled panels that layer to form a truly unique look. Shown in Powder-coat Black, it’s also available in stainless steel.

The Matrix from Faber features a similar look in a slightly sleeker format. The stainless steel panels hide removable grease filters, and the fan even comes with its own remote control.

I'll delve more into the subject of ventilation later. But what's important to remember is that regardless what the appliance looks like, it needs to work properly. Otherwise it's just a piece of artwork taking up valuable wall space in your kitchen.