Members of the New York Design Community Enjoy an Evening with Akiko Busch, hosted by Poggenpohl U.S.

On Wednesday April 18, 2007 a lively New York crowd gathered at Poggenpohl ’s Studio at 270 Park Avenue South for a reading by Metropolis Books author, Akiko Busch. Lothar Birkenfeld, President of Poggehpohl U.S. graciously welcomed visitors to the company’s New York showroom and those in attendance enjoyed wine and hors d’oeurves amidst Poggenpohl’s award-winning luxury kitchen designs that provided an elegant setting for the reading. Metropolis editor in chief, Susan Szenasy, introduced her long-time friend and colleague Akiko Busch, the author of the Metropolis Book The Uncommon Life of Common Objects: Essays on Design and the Everyday.

Keeping with Poggenpohl’s philosophy of presenting the kitchen as a lifestyle-hub, Busch read from an excerpt of her book that highlighted the significance of common kitchen objects: “More than any other room in the house, the kitchen is full of utensils that have a power that extends well beyond their function.”(79) Her reading called for a close examination of the stories and sentiments infused in domestic items and the ways in which design can influence and respond to our lives. Afterwards, Busch signed copies of her book and continued the dialogue about the meaning we attach to inanimate objects.