By Marco Derhy

As part of our “Inspiring Successful Stories, we’re thrilled to welcome back Mayan Metzler, the visionary leader in luxury home design and the dynamic force behind the German Kitchen Center. GKC has been a pioneer in blending innovation with design. Today, we’ll be discussing the exciting partnership with TerraLux and rebuilding LA.

How does partnering with TerraLux enhance your vision for integrating technology into the kitchen and home industries?

We see the home as more than just a functional space — it’s a sanctuary where modern families find comfort, connection, and a sense of belonging. In a world where uncertainty looms, and communities feel increasingly fragmented, the home remains a foundation of stability and self-expression.

At GKC, our designs don’t just shape interiors; they invite homeowners to infuse their spaces with personality and creativity. Partnering with TerraLux allows us to take this philosophy further, leveraging AI-driven contextual knowledge bases that genuinely understand each household’s evolving needs.

This is AI with a human touch — an intuitive companion that helps you plan meals, organize family activities, and manage home maintenance effortlessly by having a conversation. But it doesn’t stop at the front door. We strongly advocate for strengthening local connections — bringing neighbors, shopkeepers, and local producers into the fold to create a more integrated and self-sustaining community.

The TerraLux’ Kitchen Buddy’ is more than a home assistant — it’s a bridge between home and community. Coordinating with others in its network transforms everyday living into a seamless and collaborative experience, ensuring that technology enhances individual households and the social fabric around them.

What role does TerraLux’s advanced 3D mapping and visualization technology play in redefining how GKC showcases designs to clients?

The decision to invest in a high-end kitchen is a deeply personal one. Clients want to be confident that their choices will align perfectly with their lifestyle and space. TerraLux’s spatial computing technology is revolutionizing this process.

Through immersive 3D mapping and AR-powered visualization, clients can explore kitchen layouts, test material combinations, and visualize how their space will look before a single tile is laid. This technology brings unprecedented clarity and confidence to the design process.

But it goes beyond individual homes. TerraLux’s geospatial content management system enables us to map out entire showroom locations and document how different GKC kitchens have been integrated into diverse homes across America. This creates a dynamic design archive, offering new homeowners inspiration from real-life applications of our work.

GKC has always emphasized extraordinary customer experiences. How do TerraLux’s AR and VR capabilities elevate your customers’ showroom and online shopping experiences?

Luxury should be accessible—not just in price point but in experience. With TerraLux’s AR and VR capabilities, we are removing barriers for customers who cannot physically visit a showroom but still want a fully immersive buying journey.

We are rolling out interactive virtual tours that allow clients to step into our designs from anywhere in the world. These aren’t just passive walkthroughs—clients can customize finishes, experiment with layouts, and receive real-time recommendations tailored to their preferences.

For those visiting our showrooms, self-guided AR tours provide instant access to product details, sustainability insights, and expert recommendations. This ensures that every client, regardless of how they shop, receives a seamless, personalized experience.

You’ve often said innovation is at the heart of GKC’s mission. How does TerraLux’s approach to urban planning and sustainability inspire your vision for the future of design?

At GKC, we believe in designing not just for today, but for the future. Sustainability is no longer a niche concern—it’s a necessity. TerraLux’s bioregional planning strategy aligns perfectly with our commitment to long-term impact.

By integrating smart design with regenerative urban planning, we’re able to create kitchens—and entire homes—that reduce waste, optimize energy use, and foster stronger local economies. TerraLux’s AI-assisted urban development tools allow us to map out circular economies, ensuring that resources are allocated efficiently within communities.

Whether we are working on new builds, retrofitting existing homes, or participating in post-disaster reconstruction, our focus is on resilient, adaptable, and forward-thinking design.

With TerraLux’s geodesic domes and sustainable technologies, could GKC integrate these concepts into its offerings for clients seeking eco-conscious designs?

Absolutely. The demand for modular, sustainable living is growing, and geodesic domes represent one of the most exciting frontiers in eco-conscious architecture. Traditionally seen as alternative or off-grid solutions, we see them as mainstream-ready innovations that can be seamlessly integrated into modern home design.

These structures provide unparalleled customization—whether as primary homes, sustainable guest houses, artist studios, or even commercial spaces. With TerraLux’s expertise in bio-based materials and 3D printing, we are now exploring ways to make these designs more accessible and affordable while maintaining the high-end aesthetic and functionality GKC is known for.

Rebuilding LA is a bold initiative. How does the partnership with TerraLux align with GKC’s focus on innovation and creating solutions that resonate with modern lifestyles?

Rebuilding LA isn’t just about restoring what was lost—it’s about reimagining what’s possible. Los Angeles is one of the most culturally and economically influential cities in the world, making it the ideal testing ground for sustainable, smart urban development.

TerraLux’s tools help us coordinate localized recovery efforts, ensuring that new developments are not just efficient and beautiful but also future-proof. Through their design competition and urban planning initiatives, we are working with experts from multiple disciplines to create a blueprint for the cities of tomorrow.

As TerraLux prepares to launch its global design competition, how does GKC envision contributing to this transformative project and fostering collaboration within the design community?

At GKC, we see the TerraLux global design competition as a launchpad for the next generation of innovators. Through our showroom spaces and digital platforms, we will host hackathons, idea forums, and collaborative workshops where designers, architects, and engineers can come together to shape the future of sustainable living.

This competition isn’t just about architecture—it’s about rethinking how we live, work, and interact with our environments. By supporting this initiative, we are investing in a future where technology, sustainability, and design work hand in hand to create spaces that enhance both individual and community well-being.

What excites you most about this partnership’s potential to influence kitchen design and broader urban development trends?

The intersection of AI, sustainability, and luxury design is where the most exciting innovations are happening right now. With TerraLux, we have an opportunity to lead this movement—to set new standards for smart homes that are not just technologically advanced but also deeply human-centric.

This partnership represents a paradigm shift—one where design is no longer just about form, but about function, sustainability, and connection. Together, we are building the future of living.

Finally, how can our readers stay updated on this partnership and future developments at GKC?

For anyone interested in staying connected or learning more, we invite you to visit our website and Facebook to explore our latest collections, view stunning designs, and download our catalogs.germankitchencenter.com.

If you’d like to discuss your kitchen project directly, please email us at mayan@GermanKitchenCenter.com or call us at (347) 992–0410.