In this special blog we speak to kitchen design philosopher, consultant and collaborator with the National Innovation Centre for Ageing (NICA), Johnny Grey, and explore the reasons why our technology might be the perfect fit for a multigenerational home…

Why do you think TPB Tech could be an effective solution in a multigenerational home?

Firstly, there’s a yawning gap between kitchen and interior design, and technology, and TPB Technology is a product that bridges that gap. Cutting-edge technology can certainly be used to improve people’s lives as they grow older, either by making things safer or making things automated, or adding voice control.

The safety element of the TPB Tech cooktop is great for all users, young and old. I know it’s much safer than other induction hobs and I like the fact you can use all the worktop as dedicated worktop space outside the induction zones in use. It allows you a lot of flexibility in terms of what you can do with the space.

The fact that it’s so smooth and flat is another plus-point as, for me, cooking and enjoying the kitchen is all about conversation and eye-contact. The TPB cooktop’s sleek design means there are no distractions. Also, because it sits in the middle of the room and faces into the room, as opposed to facing the wall like a hob might usually, the person preparing food is never isolated from what’s happening in the room.

There is an idea that older people can’t get to grips with technology or would struggle to learn how to use it. Is this the case or is it a myth?

I think it’s definitely a myth that older people struggle with technology. If you look at the grey market now, their spending on technology is on a par with, if not more than, other demographics. That’s not to say people are completely comfortable with it because they’re not. But, we’ve done a workshop with NICA and the data there showed that people only generally have a problem with complex command systems, and the TPB Tech worktop is pretty straightforward to use.

So how could TPB Tech be used on a practical level by users of all ages?

Because of its safety features, children can be more involved in cooking while under the supervision of parents and there’s very little risk of burning. 

Secondly, it could be used to help bring people together virtually because of its seamlessness and ease-of-use. Some people I know, over the course of the pandemic have been preparing and having meals together over Zoom, for example, because they can’t get together.

Technology like this, which is sleek, unobtrusive and solves genuine problems, just makes the kitchen a nicer place to be.

For more information on the features mentioned in this piece, click here.