Architect Trip to bulthaup, Munich – November 2024
A chilly blast of air greeted our group of architects and interior designers as we disembarked the British Airways flight at Munich Airport. Ahead of us lay a three-day excursion to discover what makes bulthaup kitchens unique, enjoy the company of like-minded peers, and immerse ourselves in the culture of this vibrant city.
The tone of the trip was quickly set with an impromptu visit to a Christmas market, offering the perfect chance to savour Glühwein and enjoy a Bratwurst. Energised and ready, we headed into the city to drop off our bags, freshen up, and continue straight to a German bar, followed by a delightful restaurant.
Day two began with a snow shower and a coach ride into the countryside, where we arrived in Aich—the home of bulthaup. Here, the group was treated to an in-depth factory tour, witnessing firsthand the meticulous care and precision that underpin bulthaup’s kitchen production.
“bulthaup begins where the machine ends.” That’s how the company describes its philosophy—but what does this mean? During our visit to the factory floor, we learned the answer.
The process starts even before the machines. Take Michael, for example—a meticulous craftsman whose role is to inspect the base materials for imperfections before they enter the manufacturing process. Minute specks of dust, faint scratches, or the slightest marks are carefully circled. If five circles are marked on a single piece of material, the entire piece is reviewed before use. This extraordinary attention to detail demands such focus that Michael can only work in this role for four hours at a time.
Why is this done beforehand, you might ask? The reason is simple: identifying flaws early prevents more significant issues later in production.
After the machines have played their part—cutting, glueing, and bonding with precision—the human touch takes over. Each package of kitchen fronts that make up a single kitchen is hand-finished, polished, and sanded by the same person to ensure consistency. Sharing this task with others risks introducing subtle differences in corner radii or sanding patterns, which can affect how light reflects off the surfaces, compromising the final product’s uniformity.
Other human interactions during production are equally unique to bulthaup’s approach. Observing someone meticulously polishing a cabinet front for ten minutes might seem unnecessary in today’s age of advanced machinery. Yet, this dedication to craftsmanship—alongside the pride and commitment of the team—sets bulthaup apart.
Following the factory tour, we enjoyed lunch in the charming nearby town of Landshut. In the soft afternoon sunlight, its picturesque streets hinted at the festive season ahead, framed by classic German architecture and historic buildings.
Back in Munich, the group explored the Olympic Village and BMW Welt (Global Head Office), both celebrated for their architecture and history. Our guide, Roland Spieth, provided fascinating insights into the design and construction of the Olympic Village and the influence of Otl Aicher.
On our final day, we visited the bulthaup, Munich showroom before wandering Munich’s historic streets, admiring architectural landmarks such as the Jewish Synagogue and the surfers mastering the Eisbach River’s waves. The trip concluded with another memorable meal of traditional German cuisine at the Kaiser Garten.
Our flight home provided a final treat, as crystal-clear skies offered breathtaking views of the cities below.
Richard and I would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to our hosts and new friends. We thoroughly enjoyed our time in Munich and look forward to seeing you again soon.
