Expert Q&As

Q&A: Ana Sternberg, Bazzeo Posted By Susan Piperato

Bazzeo was founded in 2007 by Ana Sternberg and her husband, Iko Aviv, in response to a growing demand for contemporary sustainable cabinetry manufactured in the U.S. Bazzeo was looking to provide the same quality and design as European manufacturers, but also lower the lead times with a manufacturing facility in New Jersey. We talked with Ana Sternberg about where the company is heading.

It's challenging to live the green mission. Just how green is Bazzeo?

Being in the design and furniture industry for more than three decades and having dealt with many of the European manufacturers, everybody at Bazzeo understood from the beginning the goals and challenges or endeavor had. From the start, Bazzeo was committed to ensuring not only cutting-edge design, but also sustainability-that is why the Bazzeo factory is a real-world example in sustainability with its " zero waste" resource management system. At Bazzeo, the reduction and elimination of waste during the production is fundamental. On-time manufacturing guaranties controls of the production and eliminates stockpiles, and large quantities of excess material.

Bazzeo as well is using only non-toxic paint and laquers, recycled and regenerated woods from certified sources and non-toxic laminates, aluminum and glass.

Has the company seen an increase in interest as green and sustainable designs and goods have become more mainstream?

Since 2007, the interest in sustainability and green design has pretty much doubled. Information on sustainability and green products is much easier to obtain, and for many architects and designers this has become a "basic" necessity for their work.

Clients are much more environmentally conscious than in 2007, and are well-informed when they start looking for cabinetry and case goods.

Since local is becoming as important as sustainable and green, just how local is Bazzeo?

The majority of our project is still in New York and vicinity-hence the local manufacturing is very important as many architects and project manager are looking for LEED certification and one aspect of LEED points is the "traveling distance" for products and materials.

Bazzeo as well works with marketing partners around the country and we have project pretty much in every corner of the USA. So you can say that, yes we are local for New York-but we are also local for the USA, as one of the few cabinetry manufacturers here offering innovative, intelligent modern design.

Who are Bazzeo's typical customers?

Bazzeo has a very good mix of customers-we work with interior designers, architects, and clients direct, but as well with development companies and other entities. Part of our good fortune is that we have a large appealing showroom in New York and our selected marketing partners with showrooms all over the USA, so our clients can see, and experience our products in a distinctive designed environment.

What lines or projects is Bazzeo most proud of?

I would have to say that the two latest lines Bazzeo came out are the ones we are most proud of.

1. Marron Glace (MG), which is the "Rolls Royce" of cabinetry-an all-glass encased line with reconstituted walnut interior. The line is high-end, sophisticated, refined design. MG won and international design award as well earlier this year.


2. The GAIA TECH line, which has high-tech components to ensure the maximum usage of space with the total utilization and optimization of the interior and exterior space and surface areas.

What are some projects that are underway or about to be launched?

We are working on several multi-unit projects in New York and its vicinity, several single kitchen and bath projects(one of them is a full Marron Glace kitchen), and working with a West Coast architect on a larger project (we will release details when they become available).
Our in-house design team is already collaborating on new ideas and lines to be launched in 2012.