Saniflo – designer and manufacturer of macerators and pumps – is taking its van on the road throughout March, April, and May, touring the UK and Ireland and visiting builders’ and plumbers’ merchants showcasing Saniflo products, plus shower cubicles from its sister brand Kinedo.
Throughout the rest of March, the van will appear at Graham Plumbers Merchants in Eastbourne on the 23rd, and Williams & Co in Minworth on the 30th. The van will tour Ireland from 17-21 April and then appear at City Plumbing Coventry on the 23rd of April. In May, you can catch the Kinedo van on the 2nd at Wolseley in Barnsley, on the 18th at Wolseley in Whitby and at Plumbase in Kings Lynn on the 24th. Saniflo is adding further dates to the itinerary.
Merchants will find the Sanicubic and Sanicom on display, plus shower trays such as the Kinemoon, the Kinerock Evo and the Kineline, which resemble natural stone, and the fully assembled Brooklyn Factory shower cubicle and the Smart Design and Fast 2000 cubicles. The flexible range includes sliding and pivot doors, single panels and folding panels.
Saniflo renovated the van last year, after a three-year break from road trips due to Covid, upgrading the displays to the latest Kinedo products. Previous tours have been a hit, with some merchants taking advantage of the on-site representation from Saniflo to deliver in-branch product training from the Saniflo team whilst on-site, boosting knowledge and sales.
Saniflo UK marketing manager, Amanda Mills, says: “Feedback from merchants confirms that the Saniflo Kinedo road trip is a valuable exercise as their customers and teams can get an authentic feel for the versatility of the Kinedo range and see for themselves how easy to install our shower cubicles are and how stunning they look. We encourage merchants to get in touch to have the van at their branch.
Tom Reynolds, BMA CEO, explains why and how the creators and innovators are embracing change.
The global demand for sustainable living spaces has never been more pressing. This urgency, coupled with our innate desire for comfortable yet functional designs, has led to a new breed of innovative products from leading bathroom manufacturers. By embracing water and energy efficiency, these forward-thinking creators combine beauty, functionality, and eco-consciousness. Architects and designers focused on sustainable bathroom design are uniquely positioned to capitalise on these industry advancements, ultimately serving their client’s needs and our planet’s well-being.
One of the most remarkable advancements in this arena is the development of water-efficient taps, showers, and toilets. By adopting neat solutions like flow restrictors, these products ensure that the water used is minimised without compromising user experience. By replacing traditional water facilities with these modern products, residential and commercial spaces can significantly reduce their water consumption.
Energy-efficient bathroom designs are another hallmark of the eco-friendly movement. Manufacturers have unveiled innovative lighting systems that utilise LED technology to drastically reduce energy consumption without sacrificing quality or design aesthetics. Installing sensor-based light switches has also paved the way for green bathroom spaces.
The circular economy is also crucial to bathroom manufacturers with many taking a keen interest in creating products that are not only more sustainable in their use but also at end of life. This means designing products from recyclable materials, making disassembly and recycling more straightforward, and promoting the concept of “design for life” among industry professionals.
For architects and designers, these advancements translate into numerous benefits. Integrating resource-efficient products allows the creation of spaces that adhere to or surpass building regulations concerning water and energy consumption. Moreover, this focus on sustainability often adds a significant competitive edge when presenting designs to prospective clients who are conscious of their environmental footprint.
Additionally, utilising eco-friendly products demonstrates a commitment to sustainability, which appeals to both the public and private sectors. As green building certifications, environmental accreditations and a commitment to schemes such as the Unified Water Label increase, designers and architects can showcase their eco-friendly projects to enhance their professional reputation.
The rise in sustainable bathroom design is more than a passing trend – it reflects a collective consciousness that recognises our responsibility to create living spaces that preserve the environment. As bathroom manufacturers continue to innovate and present a line-up of water-efficient, energy-efficient, and recyclable products, designers and architects have many opportunities to marry form and function with environmental stewardship. It’s time to embrace these innovations and create bathroom spaces that not just pamper us but also safeguard our environment for future generations.
Siminetti natural Mother of Pearl mosaic surfaces are the perfect finish for luxury steam rooms. The movement within the natural mosaic creates an eye catching finish from every angle and with a range of 18 colours, there is a choice for almost every project.
Biscotti
Relax, morning, noon or night in this striking spa finished in Siminetti Biscotti. Designed by Goddard Littlefair of London, for project Southbank, the mosaics roll smoothly over the seating making for a smooth touch finish.
Anthracite
The cool natural tones of Anthracite reflect tranquillity and a return to a statement space. Designed by Hill House Interiors for a private client, the tones within this freshwater pearl mosaic capture movement from every angle, perfect for defining any space.
Gentle Earth
Rolling over these spa loungers at the exclusive Marriot Bonvoy Langley Park Hotel in the UK, the Mother of Pearl is captured beautifully by the ambient lighting, to ensure a tranquil space to relax and drift away.
Napoli Shade
Utilising our sustainable Saltwater Pearl, Napoli shades from the stunning tones of Midnight Pearl through to the vibrant tone of Bianco, drawing the eye over the shade, revealing a striking contrast of colour and movement.
GROHE, a leading global brand for bathroom & kitchen solutions, has revealed the market launch of its water-recycling shower GROHE Everstream, expanding the brand’s range of bathroom and kitchen products that promote efficient water use and make sustainable choices easier.
The shower will be available to customers from spring 2024. The shower system is currently being field-tested and a training programme for installers is expected to start in the second half of 2023. In addition, GROHE is also aiming to have all GROHE concealed showers water-recycling-ready by 2030.
GROHE Everstream has been designed to create the showering experience users expect but consuming as little fresh water as possible – and using far less energy. The Everstream system uses as little as a quarter of the water and a third of the energy typically required by traditional showers, translating into a cost-saving of up to 65% a year for a four-person household and up to 70% fewer CO2 emissions, depending on individual shower habits.
Jonas Brennwald, leader, LIXIL EMENA, comments: “Last summer in Europe was one of the driest on record. Water scarcity is affecting us all and it is our responsibility as a water-technology provider to offer solutions that allow consumers to make a difference. Implementing water-recirculating technology in our GROHE portfolio elevates our offering to a new sustainable benchmark and is a milestone for our entire organisation.”
How it works
GROHE Everstream demonstrates how the home can actively and positively shape our personal impact on the planet and its resources. It divides the shower process into three parts allowing users to enjoy the experience, safe in the knowledge they are minimising waste.
1) First, users start the shower with fresh water, as with any regular shower. 2) Once finished using the shampoo or soap, the user can switch mode: The water collected in the drain after switching is pumped into a circuit, maintaining the desired temperature, and hygienically treating the water. 3) After use, cleaning takes place to prepare the shower for the next user.
Making water efficiency attractive
“It is our mission to provide state-of-the-art technologies for using water resources sustainably while also creating additional environmental value for water. As we strive towards a circular economy, circularity can also play a much bigger role within our products themselves. GROHE Everstream takes our technology to the next level. We are looking forward to the results of our field-testing of the product, to fine tune it for market launch in 2024,” says David Mainka, leader electronics and innovation R&D
Fittings, LIXIL International
As part of LIXIL’s strong brand portfolio, GROHE’s sustainability activities as well as its product developments are embedded in LIXIL’s Environmental Vision which calls for Zero Carbon and Circular Living. Water sustainability is one of the focus areas here. The goal is to help people enjoy water while ensuring sustainable water use on a global scale in order to have a positive impact on the planet.
Natural materials, and subtle colours, mixed with organic forms combine to create an inviting bathroom in which to while away the hours.
The bathroom is no longer merely a place for daily care and health routine. It has become a place of refuge from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
In the same way that the kitchen has converged with the living room, the bathroom is now becoming an extension of the bedroom. Room boundaries are becoming more fluid; as the washing area and bathtub can be creatively located in the centre of the bedroom, with only the toilet being physically separated.
Such floating spaces work because sanitary objects are now designed and installed in a similar fashion to furniture – as decorative standalone features crafted from natural materials such as ceramics, wood, and stone with a look and feel that creates a feeling of sanctuary.
The bathroom as a living area Contemporary bathrooms are being designed in a homely style as sanitary objects and bathroom furniture become entwined with soft furnishings, lamps, textiles, and accessories.
Specific shapes and materials combine with calming earth tones specifically to create a cosy ambience – enhanced with plants bringing a touch of outdoors indoors.
Inspiration from nature in interior design are hallmarks of Scandinavian design and Japanese aesthetics. The Zencha bathroom collection from Duravit brings these two concepts into harmony. Designer Sebastian Herkner crafted sanitary objects and bathroom furniture from natural materials such as ceramics, wood, and textured glass. Whilst the modular storage furniture with its delicate edges and shadow gaps exudes a slightly more austere look, with the freestanding bathtub giving the impression of a large bowl that culminates in a graceful edge with a gentle outward curve.
Duravit’s White Tulip bathroom collection features organic forms combined with furniture in natural solid wood surfaces and high-gloss or satin-matt lacquers to create harmony and softness in the interior. Designed by Philippe Starck, the forms of the sanitary objects, faucets, and furniture are reminiscent of the silhouette of a tulip in bloom.
Natural lifestyle
Inspiration from nature is a trend that is here to stay in interior design. As a material, wood surfaces are appealing to the touch with aesthetic and tactile qualities that make it suited to a natural furnishing style like no other material. Wood is also an established feature of the bathroom. In D-Neo, Belgian designer Bertrand Lejoly has created a complete bathroom range that offers no-fuss vanity units and semi-tall cabinets in a range of oak and walnut furniture finishes.
Small and tasteful
Increasing numbers of manufacturers now offer sanitary objects, and furniture in smaller sizes so that bathrooms with compact measurements can easily be transformed into living spaces.
Bathrooms in large cities are often only a few square meters in size. Mirrored cabinets, storage furniture, and washbasins with storage space also play their part in maintaining order in the bathroom. Free surfaces can accommodate eye-catching decorative pieces such as jewellery boxes, vases, and bowls.
Preserving resources
Thinking and acting in a sustainable manner has always been important at Duravit as such they offer a range of bathroom solutions that consume less water than conventional ones or are made from sustainable materials.
Sustano is the first ever recyclable shower tray to be marketed from the German manufacturer. Made from the sustainable mineral material DuroCast Nature, it not only has a high surface hardness and density but the shower trays can either be returned to the manufacturer or a local recycling centre after the end of their useful life.
Hygiene in the bathroom
Since the pandemic, more attention has been paid to hygiene, especially in the bathroom. Thorough cleanliness is ensured by easy-to-clean surfaces such as ceramics or DuroCast Nature. Toilets in the White Tulip range from Philippe Starck are equipped with the innovative HygieneFlush technology which cleans the entire inside of the toilet. The ceramic glaze HygieneGlaze ensures that approx. 90 per cent of bacteria have been eliminated within six minutes, rising to approx. 99.9 per cent after 24 hours.
The Soleil by Starck bathroom series toilet has a slightly protruding, delicate lid. This design feature means the lid is easily griped without touching the seat or ceramic.
An ever-popular part of the show, the annual programme of talks showcases the latest thinking within the architecture and design community.
As well as the 200+ product innovations, material curation plus networking opportunities, the talks area is a must-visit part of Architect@Work’s London event, which takes places 22-23 March at the Truman Brewery in the east of the city.
This year’s theme is Energy and Ecosystems, a topic that is expected to provoke timely and lively debate over the two days. The keynote discussion for 2023 comes from Groupwork founder Amin Taha.
Starting proceedings on the Wednesday is a session entitled ‘Positive About energy saving’ and features speakers including Gary Thornton, associate lighting director with architectural lighting specialists Nulty+; Sophie Werren, lead architects with flexible workspace specialists The Office Group; Kiru Balson, sustainability consultant with engineers Max Fordham. Chaired by design journalist Helen Parton, the debate will look at the energy buildings consume and how that challenges architects, designers and developers in terms of balancing the needs of tenants, funding of projects and design elements from landscaping to lighting.
Online bathroom retailer Victoria Plum recognises that when it comes to designing your home, making it suitable for a range of mobility issues is a priority for thousands of households.
People can live with a wide spectrum of mobility issues making everyday tasks and the ability to move around the home more challenging – particularly in older age.
Trying to strike a balance between functionality and style is key to any bathroom design, but even more so when buying a bathroom for an elderly relative who is living independently.
Maintaining independence is extremely important and when it comes to the bathroom there are a wide choice of adaptations that can be made that vary from quick fixes to more complex renovations.
Whether you’re looking to adapt for ease of mobility, better access or want to future-proof for your senior years, an accessible bathroom could be just what you need.
Ruth Foster, interior designer at Victoria Plum shares some practical advice and her top design tips for creating an accessible and modern bathroom that is both functional and stylish for independent living.
Ruth says: “When people hear the term ‘accessible bathroom’ it conjures up images of sterile rooms with clunky obtrusive items, that wouldn’t look out of place in a hospital – a distant cry from the beautiful space you’d envisaged for your home.
“However, it is possible to get the contemporary bathroom that you want and have it meet your accessibility needs at the same time.”
Simple modifications
“An accessible bathroom can be fully customisable with as much or as little as you need. Trying to strike a balance between functionality and style is key to any bathroom design, but even more so when buying a bathroom for someone with a disability or an elderly relative who is living independently.
“Day to day independent living can be hugely impacted by the addition of items such as walk-in baths, grab rails and bath and shower seats.
“Advanced toilets are also an easy adaptation, with comfort height settings and built in personal hygiene jets and dryers. Opt for an electronic bidet toilet with a control panel, automatic flush and seat opening and closing mechanism.
“A walk-in shower bath or shower enclosure with large easy to use controls are ideal for those with visual impairment or hand mobility restrictions. Wet rooms are especially accessible for wheelchair users and those with impaired vision. With no steps or shower trays to worry about, trip hazards can be greatly reduced for those less steady on their feet.
“Consider lowering your shelving so that accessories can be reached more easily and angle your mirrors lower too. A pivot mirror is great for shared spaces as it can be tilted to the perfect angle as required.
Minimalist greys
“Minimalist design continues to lead the way when it comes to choosing an on-trend look for the bathroom with a colour palette of greys and earthy tones.
“This trend works well for an accessible bathroom as it is simple and uncluttered. Adding patterned tiled and textured floors or walls can make a lovely feature and can help to identify zones in the bathroom for visually impaired users.
“Sleek and sturdy chrome grab rails will help you move around with ease while a folding shower seat is ideal if you find standing for an extended period a strain.
Bold, blue and easy to use
“A splash of colour can be most welcome in the bathroom, and you can create some real impact by painting walls rather than tiling everywhere.
“Shower wall panels are fast becoming a popular for accessible bathrooms as they are easy to install and clean with no grout lines where mould can develop. Use them around key splash zones to create contrast.
“If a full wet room is beyond your budget, then a walk-in shower enclosure will still give you easy access to your shower.
“At just 40mm in height walk-in shower trays are ultra-low meaning stepping in and out takes no effort at all. Choose an anti-slip tray and matt for extra safety.”
Black framed and beautiful
“Black framed shower screens are a huge trend in bathrooms right now giving a nod to industrial style interiors, whilst metro tiles are an enduring popular option.
“If climbing in and out of your bath is a chore a large black framed shower is the ideal alternative. Marble effect shower panels will help bring a luxury feel to the décor and are cost-effective to install. Black accents in the form of taps, shower, fold down seat and grab rail provide a super stylish look.
“Break up the space with a feature wall around the basin – again this can help with identifying the different zones in the bathroom.
“A lowered mirror and wall mounted single handed mixer tap will make using the sink area easier while a fold away grab rail for the toilet will retain the aesthetic of the room as well as providing extra support if needed.”
GROHE has announced its first GROHE X Summit “Caring for Water” a great success in every regard. The 17 different events broadcast over three days on the GROHE X digital experience hub recorded over 14,000 video views.
From 7th – 9th March thousands of GROHE X visitors were presented with multi-media formats, from keynotes to masterclasses, from fact snacks to panel talks. The GROHE X digital experience platform turned into a hub of knowledge transfer on the topics of water, living and future homes. The various conversation formats revolved around three essential questions: When do we call a place home – today and tomorrow? How can we make buildings more sustainable? And water as an experience – a new mindfulness? A total of 17 sessions filled with first-hand insights, research-based data and analysis, expertise and know-how took all our registered guests on a journey with the goal of understanding the future of water and our relationship with it.
Professional partners, installers, architects, designers and end-consumers were at the center of the various sessions that took on the potential challenges and issues to be addressed when working, living and interacting with water. The Summit covered issues ranging from interior design trends and the development of innovative products to the improvement of customer relations and how GROHE has put its customers’ needs at the forefront of its go-to-market strategy.
GROHE Everstream: recirculating shower technology cleans, reheats and reuses water
Not only did the GROHE X Summit “Caring for Water” look at the business-centered challenges ahead. GROHE also presented its highly anticipated GROHE Everstream technology that cleans, reheats and reuses water. The shower system uses as little as a quarter of the water and a third of the energy typically required by traditional showers, translating into a cost saving of up to 65% a year for a four-person household, and up to 70% fewer CO2 emissions, depending on individual showering habits. GROHE Everstream technology will change the way we use water without compromising on comfort. It will be available from spring 2024 as the brand aims to have all GROHE concealed showers water recycling ready by 2030.
After introducing GROHE Everstream, the summit moved on to analyze how the construction ecosystem can contribute to having positive effects on the environment and on the people that call these spaces their homes. Day three focused on the way we experience water as a new aid to mindfulness. As a matter of fact, architecture and innovative design can help heal stressed societies, say interior designers, architects and researchers alike. With its SPA sub-brand GROHE can address the increased demand for personal relaxation within the comfort of private bathrooms that – as discussed during various sessions – are increasingly transforming into spaces of personal well-being and self-care.
The bathtub collection, from Spanish brand Acquabella, consists of six different models capable of adapting to any need and all style preferences.
The minimalism of the design, combined with the characteristics of high-quality materials, allows bathtubs to become an essential feature in contemporary bathrooms. In this sense, Acquabella offers a complete selection of freestanding bathtubs to suit any style, but with a common factor: the elegance of their shapes.
Bathtubs with an elegant minimalist design The Chrea, Lech, Levi, Vars and Venet bathtubs are presented as freestanding bathtubs. One of the latest additions, the Chrea bathtub, is distinguished by its welcoming, rounded design: the diagonally cut rim accentuates the asymmetrical and dynamic lines, as well as making it more ergonomic and comfortable. The Levi model, inspired by the sinuous movement of the waves of the sea, embodies the sophisticated curvature of the edges for a soothing visual harmony. The Vars bathtub is more daring, but retains the welcoming roundness of the other models, while the Venet model, with its rigorous and elegant look, presents bevelled edges on the base. Finally, the Lech bathtub (pictured very bottom) has a deep, curved design that makes it unique.
Levi bathtubVars bathtubVenet Bathtub
The Voss bathtub (pictured very top) is the latest addition to the bathtub family, and is offered in a semi-freestanding format. It’s designed to make the most of the space in our bathroom, becoming the best option when it comes to small bathrooms.
New generation material The exposed products are made of Dolotek®, Acquabella’s material that allows to model the most complex shapes. Dolotek® provides a silky, smooth surface for a flawless appearance. This material, made from dolomite stone and resin, is extremely resistant to wear and impact, with superior performance than traditional materials, which is why it is often referred to as “21st-century ceramics”.
RAK Ceramics, a leading global ceramics brand, announced today a USD 14 million investment in its sanitaryware production line in the UAE, upgrading the facility with the latest cutting-edge technology kilns and elevating sustainably the company’s sanitaryware operating model.
RAK Ceramics aims to begin the installation of the new machinery in 2023 and plans to go online in the first half of 2024. The investment will allow the sanitaryware line to incorporate the latest technology into the heat exchanger system of kilns, with capabilities for future conversion to hydrogen fuel and waste heat recycling via advanced features. Once operational, the Company will be able to optimize efficiency during production, enabling the realisation of savings in energy consumption and carbon emissions. Additionally, the process allows for an enhanced yield during production, reducing waste and increasing capacity utilisation.
Commenting on the investment, Abdallah Massaad, Group CEO, RAK Ceramics said: “As a responsible manufacturer and as the fourth largest ceramics player in the world, we have an important role to play on the global stage to make the industry more sustainable. This investment and the launch of this project in our sanitaryware business truly anchors our commitment to sustainability and our drive to long-term value for our stakeholders.”
“For this year, we aim to stimulate sustainability further through our functions and businesses, as we established a clear commitment to prioritise and support sustainable investments, and we are currently working alongside experts in the field to help us in our sustainability journey.”
Over the years, RAK Ceramics’ emphasis on sustainable production has expanded as the demand for distinctive and sustainable ceramic items develops and as the company continues to reap the benefits of sustainable long-term investments on the environmental front.
The Company has outlined in its 2023 Priorities that it is working on defining and implementing a sustainability strategy for the short-to-medium term, incorporating further ESG practices and initiatives and adopting them across all its operations.
