Product Design for Wesco – Turning the Range Hood into a Sculptural Object
Range hoods are far more than just a functional element in the kitchen. The design developed by Milani transforms Wesco’s appliance into a piece of furniture or a sculptural object within the living space.
When Kitchen Appliances Become Part of the Living Space
The role of the kitchen has changed. Today, it is no longer just a workspace, but an open and visible part of the home. As a result, expectations for products that were traditionally driven primarily by technical requirements are evolving as well. This shift is especially apparent in the range hood. It remains an essential functional component, occupies a central position in the kitchen, and is constantly visible. Conventional solutions often appear technically dominant or visually heavy.
For Wesco, the challenge was clear: How can a range hood deliver uncompromising performance while also functioning as a deliberately designed object within the space?
Approach: From Functional Appliance to Spatial Object
Milani approached the Wesco range hood not as a conventional household appliance, but as a spatial object within modern open-plan kitchens. The goal was to create a design that feels closer to furniture or lighting than to traditional kitchen technology.
Milani’s team developed multiple design concepts and translated them into early prototypes. In parallel, the team evaluated not only the visual impact within the space, but also key technical requirements such as airflow, extraction performance, volume, and user interaction.
By closely integrating design and technical validation, Milani developed a product architecture that combines functionality with spatial presence. When switched off, the hood appears calm and sculptural. During use, operation and functionality remain intuitive and clearly understandable. Milani also deliberately integrated the interface into the overall product architecture rather than visually emphasizing controls as separate elements.
A Calmer Kitchen Environment – Without Functional Compromises
With its reduced formal language, the new Wesco range hood integrates more harmoniously into open kitchens and living environments. It feels less like a technical appliance and more like a refined architectural element. The kitchen appears calmer and more organized, even though the technology remains visible. Users can permanently perceive the hood within the room without it feeling dominant or intrusive. Functions remain easy to understand and directly accessible – intuitive, practical, and designed for everyday use.
For Wesco, the project creates a clear point of differentiation in the market. The range hood stands out not only through technical performance, but through its spatial impact and integration into the living environment. This allows Wesco to address customers who see cooking and living as part of one connected space while strengthening the brand’s position within the premium design segment.
The project demonstrates how even highly technical product categories can be rethought within strict functional constraints. A key success factor was developing product architecture, usability, and spatial presence simultaneously so the technology integrates naturally into the living environment.
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