Realism and nature combine in a new gas fireplace range

At Rinnai, we are constantly researching trends in architecture and interior design and how fireplace design is evolving. Minimalist, clean interiors that feature long, low types of fires are very popular. The modern gas fireplace has a high quality of log media, thin frames and a large viewing area. It is seamlessly integrated into the home and doesn’t look like an appliance.

We’ve undertaken a lot of work directly with our customers about what people want from their fireplace and what is important, from both a performance and aesthetic perspective. Performance is easier of the two – people want heat and a focal point, but the aesthetic part is more subjective and personal. People have an innate affinity with fire – it’s mesmerising, comfortable and protecting.

For the Linear Collection we’ve focused on super realism with an organic feel. The timber we use in the fire is the central element, and by using driftwood, we have taken inspiration from our natural, beachy New Zealand landscape identity. The ceramic logs themselves are moulded from real wood that was collected on a west Auckland beach. We have other media options, such as pebbles, and they are also moulded from the real artefact, so we are keeping it as real as we can.

With this range, it’s a complete ground-up development from that original insight work with customers, through to understanding what’s going to be dimensionally appealing and interact well with the building. The most important work has been around the aesthetic and appearance of the flame, in terms of maximising its height and how it interacts with the media.

One of the variants in the Linear Collection has a new, highly innovative technology that Rinnai has named FlameTech, where the log itself is the burner. Instead of the log sitting on the fire, the flames emanate directly from the log itself. This is leading-edge technology that is brand new in New Zealand and this technology revolutionises the realistic wood-burning effect.

We have labs here in New Zealand and most of our design work is carried out locally, although we do use specialist partners for some components, like ceramics. The FlameTech logs, for example, come from Europe, and took two years to develop.

Rinnai has always made a point of using energy wisely and making fireplaces energy efficient with fan systems and heat exchangers, so that they also function as heaters. Many fireplaces are marginal on the heating side but hungry on energy resources. Our fireplaces are not just showcase pieces in the lounge, they are functional appliances that heat the home well.

What sort of trends are you seeing in the industry today?

People will always want reliability, easy operation and efficiency, but it’s mainly about delivering ambience and good design. Ten years ago, a gas fireplace was a metal box with a long chimney that emulated a free-standing wood fireplace. The modern gas fireplace is literally part of the building, with only the flame evident. Double-sided fireplaces are becoming more popular in new builds and work well as a room divider that opens two spaces to the fireplace’s ambience.