THE FUEGO BLOG

Given that this is my inaugural entry for the blog, it seems fitting that it’s about the latest Fuego product, the Modular. After Alex and I created the 01 and 02, we had a serious “so, what’s next?” moment. So we started with the foundation of what Fuego is all about: outdoor living, modern design, and socializing with friends. Looking at trends in outdoor grilling, the obvious target to apply our philosophy to was the outdoor kitchen, a growing trend among homeowners.

When we observed what was out there, we saw more of the same old stuff. Pseudo industrial appliances jammed in permanent stucco and tile structures. Pretty boring and nothing Alex and I would want in our back yards (if I had one – I’m a city dweller). So we decided to bring the Fuego idea to the outdoor kitchen and the Modular was born.

What the Fuego Modular is about is an extension of the 01 and 02 to a larger scale, with more capability and social content. We decided on a modular system so that customers really could design their own Fuego. We defined what we wanted in it: grills, cook tops, storage, warming drawers, refrigeration and a sink, along with the famous Fuego ability to hang with the cook, a tenant of the experience. The first thing I decided was that I wanted this to feel freestanding, like a big piece of furniture. Light, strong, but independent from the architecture of the home. This not only gives it a special quality, it gives the homeowner the ability to move it, add on, etc.

But the biggest issue I faced was getting the form right. I wanted it to be dynamic and have life, not feel stagnant. All my first concepts worked functionally, but were big, heavy and static. Then, while looking at some European cabinetry that cantilevered off the wall, I became inspired. I wanted to lift the entire system off the floor and make it float. Open up the underside. I cut up the model we were making and came up with the aluminum frame structure that ties all the modules together. This then extended to hold the counter surface. It worked perfectly and became the backbone (literally) of the whole system. Then it was easy. Just use the Fuego form, detail and material vocabulary and it was done. Right? Not quite.

After I built the final mock up, it still needed something to make the composition work and be truly dynamic. But what? At one point Alex and I talked about adding lighting, so I took another look at it and created the cantilevered, asymmetric light accessory. It took the design to the level I wanted. That’s the way it is in design. A single detail will make something perfect. Never underestimate this.