Ideal Standard, part of the Villeroy & Boch Group, has renewed Roberto Palomba’s role as chief design officer. Palomba and his Milan-based studio, Palomba Serafini Associati, have been working with Ideal Standard since 2018.
Renowned for his human-centred approach, Palomba draws on the brand’s rich heritage while responding to the evolving demands of modern life. His design ethos centres on creating enduring products that seamlessly blend form and function, delivering lasting value and timeless relevance.
Speaking about his continued partnership with the brand, Roberto Palomba explains: “I embrace this opportunity because it allows me to focus on what matters most to me: good design. I’ve always believed that design should be a right, not a luxury. My goal is to create high-quality objects that are accessible to a broad audience – a philosophy deeply ingrained in Ideal Standard’s history and culture. That’s why I’m here.”
Ideal Standard has a distinguished legacy of collaboration with visionary designers such as Achille Castiglioni, who created the Linda and Aquatonda series; Paolo Tilche, designer of the iconic Conca basin; and Gae Aulenti and Mario Bellini, whose work across architecture and industrial design has left a lasting mark on modern design culture. Palomba’s leadership builds on this heritage while simultaneously pushing the boundaries of bathroom design for a new era.
“Building on Ideal Standard’s strong design heritage, our objective is to establish the brand globally as the leading name for approachable contemporary design,” said Sven Ullrich, executive vice president marketing, R&D and product management at Villeroy & Boch.
“We have ambitious plans for the future and a clear vision of where we want to take the brand. Roberto Palomba’s creative leadership and deep understanding of the bathroom space have been key in shaping Ideal Standard’s distinctive identity — and will continue to play an important role in driving its growth and success.”
Among Palomba’s latest creations, La Dolce Vita® – part of the award-winning Atelier Collections – perfectly captures his distinctive design philosophy. Drawing inspiration from the iconic Zeta basin of the 1950s, he reinterprets its tapered silhouette as a contemporary signature, combining timeless aesthetics with Italian flair and intelligent functionality.
The i.life collection – with its latest addition, i.life O – demonstrates how smart, versatile solutions can adapt to every lifestyle.
Under Palomba’s continued creative leadership, Ideal Standard is reaffirming its position as a defining design voice in the bathroom sector, delivering relevant, human-centred solutions for modern living.