Cover Liebherr’s Gian Paolo Glueckler, photographed in the brand’s 70 Tras Street flagship store
Liebherr’s Gian Paolo Glueckler, photographed in the brand’s 70 Tras Street flagship store
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As wellness culture moves beyond spas and sleep trackers, Liebherr’s Gian Paolo Glueckler argues that the refrigerator may be the most powerful health tool in the modern home
To many people, self-care and wellness is centred in bedrooms and bathrooms. But Liebherr, a family-run German-Swiss company specialising in top-of-the-line refrigerators, freezers and wine coolers, begs to differ. Gian Paolo Glueckler, head of Liebherr’s APAC Appliances Division, chatted with Tatler Homes recently and shared his take on how the humble kitchen and refrigerator are crucial to wellness, and how Liebherr’s appliances can shape the way we eat and live, and even improve the way we treat the environment.
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Above Gian Paolo Glueckler, head of Liebherr’s APAC Appliances Division
Gian Paolo Glueckler, head of Liebherr’s APAC Appliances Division
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Wellness in the home is often framed around bedrooms or bathrooms. Why does the kitchen, and refrigeration in particular, play an equally decisive role in everyday well-being?
I see the kitchen as the true heart of home wellness—it is where nutrition begins, and nutrition is foundational to health. Unlike rooms focused on rest or hygiene, the kitchen directly influences what we consume every day. A refrigerator is the silent guardian of well-being. At Liebherr, our BioFresh technology is designed not merely to store food, but to preserve its nutritional value, taste, and texture for much longer. In the APAC region, where fresh produce is central to daily cooking, this means households can enjoy more vitamins, reduce food waste, and ultimately receive better everyday nourishment.
In your view, how should appliance design balance performance with longevity and ease of use to remain relevant to modern households over time?
At Liebherr, before we think of the fridge, we think of our customers. Performance must be exceptional, but also consistent. Rather than focusing on peak power, we prioritise reliable precision over decades. This reflects our German-engineering philosophy: robust compressors, durable and sustainable materials, and strong energy efficiency to ensure longevity and lower operating costs.
Longevity alone, however, is not enough. Ease of use is critical, especially in fast-paced Asian households. Intuitive digital controls, flexible storage such as our VarioSpace systems, and smart features that simplify daily life are essential.
We design backwards from the user, asking what a household in Singapore, Shanghai or Sydney would need not just today, but 10 years from now—appliances that perform quietly, last exceptionally long, save energy, and adapt to evolving lifestyles.
What role should refrigeration play in shaping how people plan, store and prepare food at home?
Refrigeration should enable good habits by organising, preserving, and making healthy choices easier. At Liebherr, our interior design intuitively guides storage, which directly affects consumption and waste. BioFresh drawers maintain the optimal humidity and temperature for fruits, vegetables and seafood, keeping them fresh for longer.
When ingredients are well-preserved and organised, meal planning becomes simpler, cooking becomes more inspired, and the amount of food waste will also decrease significantly.
Above Liebherr’s XRFsdh 5265 freestanding side-by-side refrigerator with the freestanding WPsd 5262 wine fridge
Liebherr’s XRFsdh 5265 freestanding side-by-side refrigerator with the freestanding WPsd 5262 wine fridge
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Liebherr’s design roots are European, while Asia presents very different climates, cooking habits and domestic patterns. In humid, fast-paced cities such as Singapore, how has Liebherr managed to adapt?
We engineer our appliances specifically for hot and humid Asia-Pacific conditions, from more powerful compressors to sturdier materials. For instance, we use higher-grade stainless steel for the units that are sold in Asia to improve resistance to corrosion. Our approach in APAC is not about exporting European products, but rather about engineering solutions that will genuinely be a good fit with Asian lifestyles.
If you were curating a wellness-oriented kitchen for a Tatler Homes reader who is design-literate, time-poor and conscious of food quality, which Liebherr products would you recommend?
For the discerning Tatler Homes reader, I would recommend Liebherr’s latest Trio—a seamless combination of refrigeration, freezing and wine storage unified in one design. It responds well to the APAC lifestyle, where space is limited and wellness is essential.
Its sleek stainless SmartSteel or premium black steel finish integrates effortlessly into high-end kitchens, offering durability and easy maintenance. BioFresh technology preserves fresh produce at optimal conditions, ensuring that nutrient-rich food is always on hand despite people’s busy schedules. The wine fridge maintains precise serving temperatures across two zones for red and white wines, turning everyday meals into curated dining experiences.
What role do you think the kitchen of the future will play in our health, and how do you imagine it will look?
The kitchen’s role as the central living space is now established and will continue to grow. We are also seeing wet and dry kitchen layouts emerge beyond Asia, alongside larger kitchen footprints in new homes.
Design, quality and appliance functionality will become even more important. Refrigerators will move beyond preservation to become elegant food-management centres—offering inventory tracking, freshness alerts and recipe suggestions—all aimed at reducing waste and optimising nutrition.
Credits
Photography: Adrian Lee
Images: Liebherr
Topics
Based in Singapore, Engracia Ang is an experienced writer specialising in home and living content.
