Soon to arrive in Milan for iSaloni 2010 as part of the Eurocucina exhibit are freestanding kitchen blocks by Italian company Alpes Inox: “Our kitchen freestanding elements will be the protagonists of our large stand.” The word protagonist makes me wonder if the kitchen blocks will suddenly become animated and put on a play (but that’s just my mind, inclined as it is to turn everything fantastic). The compact units don’t need anything besides their own wonderful design.

Freestanding Kitchen Blocks. Designed by Alpes Inox.

Available in any number of combinations, the kitchen blocks by Alpes Inox include whatever you might want in a compact kitchen: sinks, gas or electric burners, ovens, and cabinets. Envisioned as puzzle pieces or as islands, the units are the kitchen equivalent of a pre-fab house. Simply choose your elements and get one (or more) space- and time-saving unit. While some boxes are limited in function, meant to be paired with other freestanding modules, others include everything: the Model 160 island offers a combination including a built-in round basin, an undermounted round basin with colander, electric and gas flip-up hobs, two drawers, and an electric oven.

Alpes Inox was founded “in 1954 by Nico Moretto, who has headed the company ever since,” and is perhaps best known for the “exclusive ‘silver’ colouring” of their appliances. By using a 19/10 chrome-nickel alloy, Alpes Inox has created a durable material equivalent to steel, that is stainless and hygienic. You can be sure that your kitchen boxes will shine tomorrow as resplendent as they shine today. The best thing about these units may be that they offer adults a sense of play: like arranging blocks or Legos, you construct what you want, how you want it. Exactly.