Looking for a Kitchen? You've Come to the Wrong Place.

‍What problem is TERMINO solving?

ELSON: We never set out to change the world. It started with a simple question: how can we design for the flexibility modern life demands? I've always loved rearranging furniture and adapting spaces beyond their original purpose. After launching TERMINO, we were surprised by how many people connected with that idea. It confirmed that a modular system like ours really can adapt to changing needs, fit different spaces, and last for years. It gives people a real sense of freedom to move, grow and live without being tied to a fixed layout.

A kitchen you can take with you feels pretty radical. Did anyone think you were mad when you pitched the idea?

LILY: The idea isn't entirely new, but we've pushed it to the extreme. We didn't just create modular elements; we've built an entire system designed to move with you. Of course, there was scepticism along the way, but we believed in the vision and made it happen, step by step.

ELSON: "A kitchen you can take with you" turned out to be a surprisingly powerful slogan. We're seriously thinking of using it in our marketing. Many friends said we were crazy, challenging a hundred-year-old, capital-heavy industry. Funny thing is, now they're the ones asking when the discounts are coming.

What were your kitchens like before TERMINO?

LILY: I've lived a nomadic life since I was 17. Starting in California, then Berlin, Düsseldorf, and now Taipei. Because of that, I've never really had a kitchen I could call my own.

ELSON: I used to eat out all the time. If you've lived in Taipei or Shanghai, you know how convenient it can be. But when I moved to Düsseldorf, everything changed. I was living in an empty space and started seriously looking for my ideal kitchen. I visited so many brands, but most were either poorly designed, low quality, or had a 6–8 month lead time at a high cost. In the end, we settled for IKEA. As someone new to cooking at home, I quickly realised how frustrating fixed kitchen systems can be. The counters were too small, the storage made no sense, and the heights were all wrong. Those daily frustrations became the starting point for TERMINO.

Did Germany, or more specifically Berlin, influence the TERMINO aesthetic?

LILY: Absolutely. German design culture has had a huge impact on us. Especially Bauhaus principles, Dieter Rams' design philosophy, and the German emphasis on structure and functionality. That pursuit of 'simple but never simplistic' really guides our design approach.

ELSON: We've been inspired by architects like Arno Brandlhuber, Muck Petzet, and Sam Chermayeff, and have had great meaningful conversations with local designers and artists, like Bless. Berlin's experimental, raw, honest, and sustainable approach continues to shape how we think and design.

The kitchen is traditionally the fixed heart of a home, but you're making it moveable. What bigger ideas about home and design does TERMINO explore?

ELSON: The way I see it, home is an open space, maybe more like a gallery or museum. The lines between kitchen, living, and bedroom start to blur. There are no hard divisions, no clear borders. That openness reflects how I imagine living. With TERMINO, I want to redefine what home can mean. It's about replacing being fixed with flexibility. Modularity, portability and long-term usability are our tools for designing change. TERMINO isn't just a solution for one room, it's a system that moves and evolves with your life.

Longevity seems central to TERMINO. How did that shape your design?

ELSON: Circularity is at the core of our design. I believe good design has to stand the test of time; without that, nothing else matters. Modular adaptability means the system can evolve with life's changes, whether you're expanding or downsizing. Our goal is a system that holds value over time and keeps circulating in the second-hand market, instead of ending up in a landfill.

Your materials, aluminium, oak, and steel, feel very deliberate. How do they reflect your approach to sustainability and permanence?

ELSON: We believe in "less but better." There's no excess in our design. Aluminium isn't decorative, it's the structural core, visible in each module's exposed cross-sections. It's honest, lightweight, strong, and endlessly reusable. Solid oak adds warmth and function. Plus, it's not just beautiful, it can also serve as a cutting surface, making daily use tactile and practical. Stainless steel is used in the work areas for durability, easy cleaning and timeless appeal. Every material is chosen to last, be repairable, and stay in circulation. We're not chasing trends, we're building a system designed to last decades.

You've made the system installable by the user, which is pretty rare. Why was that important to you?

LILY: It was very intentional. People today want more agency over their living spaces. On top of that, labour shortages and rising installation costs make it difficult for users to get professional help quickly. So we designed a system that's simple, intuitive and user-friendly. Something anyone can install themselves. We want to give power back to the user.

ELSON: We simplified everything. Just one screw locks the whole system in place. You can move it, reconfigure it, or even fix it yourself. We often say that if a kitchen could be as modular and intuitive as LEGO, that'd be a real breakthrough.

Have you seen any unexpected or particularly clever uses of TERMINO modules?

ELSON: Just last month, Berlin coffee brand Raumkaffee asked us to create a mobile coffee station with wheels for their La Marzocco machine. And Berlin fashion brand ARYS Store plans to use TERMINO modules in their retail displays. These collaborations are super exciting and make us wonder what else is possible.

How do you want people to feel when they use a TERMINO kitchen?

ELSON: I want people to feel freedom, not constraint. This system is made for their life, not just to look good. It should feel intuitive, practical, and built to last. It doesn't have to please everyone, but I hope it creates a connection with the user – something they want to keep, move with, and never feel the need to replace. That's the ideal design to me.

What is next for you and TERMINO?

ELSON: We're just getting started. New functional modules like fridge cabinets and tall storage are in the works, and we're exploring how TERMINO can expand into other living spaces and even outdoor environments. We're planning new showrooms and more brand collaborations. Taiwan is likely our next big showcase. We're also looking at partnerships with fashion brands. TERMINO is more than a kitchen; it's a lifestyle platform. We want to grow globally and give more people the option to live flexibly and lightly.