Vertical systems for spatial definition in the contemporary kitchen

In today’s kitchen design, the management of vertical surfaces has become a strategic component. Boiserie and equipped back panels evolve into true architectural devices, able to organize the operational area, modulate spatial perception, and connect functional zones within increasingly fluid layouts.

The boiserie of the Beluga kitchen, designed by Ferruccio Laviani for Rastelli in the Tobak ash finish, appears as a continuous cladding that incorporates storage compartments, shelves, and integrated accessories. By showcasing objects and utensils, it ensures immediate accessibility. At the same time, its horizontal modularity and material continuity create a spatial pathway that unifies the entire kitchen system while defining its functional hierarchies. In this configuration, the equipped back panel becomes more than a support surface: it extends the worktop, transforming the wall into an equally active component.

A hybrid evolution emerges in Kassia, designed by Karim Rashid. Here, the three-dimensionality of the boiserie—achieved through contrasting materials and finishes—acts as a spatial hinge between the operational zone and the living area. The equipped surfaces accommodate shelves and support planes, creating a rhythmic sequence that balances solids and voids. It is a solution conceived for interconnected interiors, where the kitchen functions as a dual-reading furnishing structure: both technical and decorative.

Kook, also designed by Karim Rashid, represents the most radical and scenographic presence in this narrative. The inclined-geometry back panel introduces a dynamic dimension. The fully integrated system employs calibrated thicknesses, flush doors, and embedded linear lighting. The interplay of colour and surface enhances the perception of technical precision, transforming the wall into a functional element that also contributes to visual clarity.

For Rastelli, boiserie and equipped back panels are true constructive modules of the kitchen environment. In a context where the kitchen opens to the living space, they become an interface between technology and composition, between functional order and aesthetic freedom.