London startup Hidealoo showcased its innovative design for the industry at Kbb. Designers can factor in ‘lootilities’ for projects and households that do not have the space or money available for a whole new bathroom; Hidealoo delivers the solution.
The Hidealoo frame can be used with any standard UK wall-hung toilet and can be moved through 90 degrees, meaning it can be hidden inside a cabinet, cupboard or wall space when not in use.
In addition to creating more flexible floor space, the frame allows additional toilets to be installed where adding a new bathroom may not otherwise be possible, for example, by allowing a toilet to be fitted within a utility room cupboard or in a cabinet underneath loft eaves.
Hidealoo’s inventor, Monty Ravenscroft, has spent the last 25 years pioneering designs for innovative moving elements in architecture. This includes building a 3-bedroom home on a tiny plot in southeast London, which was featured on Channel 4’s Grand Designs programme. With very little space to play with, Monty needed to get creative with various space-saving inventions.
Monty then went on to appear as co-host of Channel 4’s ‘Inside Out Homes’, which focused on creating a new invention to solve a problem faced by a homeowner in each episode.
Inspired by these experiences and seeking a solution for his invalid father, who needed the convenience of bathroom facilities in his bedroom, yet in a discreet way that preserved his dignity, Monty developed the idea of a foldaway toilet. Spotting the broader potential for the frame, he worked closely with award-winning international designer Sebastian Conran to perfect its design.
Monty explains: “We’re hearing from a lot of homeowners at the moment who are under pressure with the high cost of living. Those who can’t afford to move but who need more facilities for their growing family, or who are having to rent out rooms to cover spiralling mortgage costs. They don’t have the space or money to install a whole new bathroom, so need an innovative solution.
“We can help them to get clever with the space they have available while opening up the options for where they might fit an additional loo and at a fraction of the cost of a big build project.”
The TheHidealoo frame is manufactured in Britain and is simple to install for any plumber or competent DIYer. It can hold up to 400kg in weight and has been tested through 250k uses the equivalent of being used more than 10 times a day for 65 years.
For more information, visit www.hidealoo.com