REHAU’s Noble Matt Collection Wins ICONIC Award

December 31, 2021

REHAU’s Furniture Solutions division has been awarded the Innovative Interior award at the ICONIC Awards 2021, by the German Design Council, for its Noble Matt collection. This follows the achievement of winning three prizes at this year’s German Design Awards.

The ICONIC awards celebrate high-quality, innovative architecture and products. They are designed to link architects, product designers and property developers to the furniture industry, and highlight exceptional projects.

Awarded the ‘Best of the Best’ prize in the ‘Product Design/Furniture’ category, the Noble Matt collection was recognised for its impressive versatility and high-quality finish. Created in response to the increasing demand for matt surfaces, the range offers outstanding design in a variety of product solutions including surfaces, edgeband and storage. These options allow the finish to be continued throughout the room, creating a seamless aesthetic.

Each product continues the collection’s signature velvet feel, offering a colour-fast, UV and fingerprint-resistant finish, maintaining a premium look. With 12 complementary colours available, ranging from the light and airy Crisp White, through to the rich Deep Black, there is a finish to suit any style.

Scott Williams, National Sales Manager for REHAU Furniture Solutions division says: “We’re delighted that our Noble Matt range has won the Best of the Best, Product Design/Furniture award. It’s a wonderful achievement and reflects the truly remarkable features of the range.

“Not only does this award highlight the impressive, high-quality finish, it also recognises the flexibility of the range and its ability to suit any application – from kitchen to bathroom, through to utility room and home office.”

For further information about REHAU’s Noble Matt collection, please visit: www.rehau.com/sites-gb/noble-matt-collection

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AirPower by Hansgrohe: an indulgent shower with reduced water consumption

December 20, 2021

According to Hansgrohe, AirPower is a unique shower experience that ncreases the enjoyment of the shower whilst reducing water consumption. The innovative technology AirPower enriches each water droplet with air to produce plump droplets creating a velvety touch on the skin.

Hansgrohe recognises water is a valuable resource, extensive time and research has gone into establishing AirPower technology to help reduce water consumption. When using the shower, air is sucked in through the spray disc that stirs up the water. Enriched with fresh air, the droplets are noticeably lighter, creating more enjoyable showers whilst helping save both water and energy.

Showers

AirPower technology is featured in a vast range of Hansgrohe products including collections Raindance, Vernis, Vivenis and Croma through basin taps, overhead and hand showers and shower systems.

Wash basins

With AirPower, the basin taps from Hansgrohe encourage them to work reliably by adding volume to every droplet of water whilst noticeably reducing splashing. The soft water droplets make for a pleasurable washing experience, whether that’s washing hands, washing hair or caring for children’s sensitive skin.

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Roca specified at new INNSiDE Liverpool 4 -star hotel

December 20, 2021

INNSiDE Liverpool is the long-awaited, new 4-star hotel in the heart of Liverpool’s commercial district. The 207-room lifestyle hotel includes a contemporary destination restaurant and stunning double height rooftop bar on the 18^th floor with panoramic city views. All guest bathrooms and washrooms were delivered by contractor mac-group and feature products from Roca.

INNSiDE Liverpool by Spanish hotel chain Melia is based on Old Hall Street, inside the iconic former Liverpool Echo offices, offers a superb location just a short walk from the famous Liver Building and Albert Dock. The 18 floor hotel aims to be a major attraction for visitors to the city with 207 en-suite bedrooms, restaurant, panoramic 360 Sky Bar, expansive conference & event space and state-of-the-art fitness gym.

Open-plan hotel rooms with stylish bathrooms

The contemporary hotel bedrooms have been designed with a modern monochrome palette, using tones of black, white and grey. The large en-suite rooms include a mini-fridge, a large vanity area and 43-inch TV and high speed Wi-Fi. The guest rooms open on to the minimalist bathrooms specified with high-quality bathroom products by Roca.

Roca InnsideLiverpool The Townhouse Bathroom

The guest bathrooms feature Roca’s Prisma basin, in gloss white. The Prisma collection has a contemporary design that combines with easy functionality and is completed with Roca brassware – the L20 basin mixer in stylish chrome. Larger rooms include the Prisma double basin for added convenience.

The bathrooms also feature wall-hung WC’s from Roca’s Debba range with luxury soft close seats and complimentary chrome flush plates. The Debba collection has a wide range of solutions that, combined with its soft, square design, fit seamlessly into any bathroom space.

26 rooms feature Roca’s stunning Virginia freestanding bath in white, providing an impactful focal point in the bathroom. Its oval shape offers a sophisticated yet simple design and a luxurious bathing experience.

Also specified in some rooms, is the elegant, rectangular Contesa bath. Made from steel, it is hygienic and extremely efficient in retaining the water temperature, keeping the water warmer for longer.

Roca’s Victoria T shower columns are used in the shower areas, offering the added benefits of thermostatic functionality in order to maintains a constant water temperature.

Restaurant & Bar

A huge draw at the INNSiDE Liverpool hotel is stylish restaurant, Gino D’Acampo Old Hall Street, with an extensive menu of classic Italian dishes and premium drinks in a chic and contemporary setting. Further raising the bar for drinking and dining in Liverpool is Gino’s new 360 Sky Bar on the 18th floor of the hotel with unrivalled panoramic views of the city and beyond, set to be one of the city’s most desirable locations, with local resident DJ’s further elevating the atmosphere from day to night.

A bar this spectacular, calls for an equally impressive guest washroom specification. The chic guest washrooms feature a full range of Roca products, including the luxurious Inspira Round on Countertop Basin, delivering a minimal and modern design style.

Roca use the very latest and most innovative materials to produce the Inspira collection. The basins are manufactured in FINECERAMIC®, a high-quality ceramic material exclusive to Roca which facilitates precision and sophisticated design details, with the added benefits of being 40% lighter and 30% more resistant to abrasives than conventional basins. Deep, spacious bowls and smooth surfaces make Inspira basins both easy to use and clean.

The brassware specified is Roca’s touchless L20-E Electronic Basin Mixer in chrome for a contemporary and sleek finish. Roca’s range of electronic basin mixers feature an infrared sensor which activates the water flow when presence is detected and shuts off automatically when presence is no longer detected, avoiding direct hand contact. The lack of contact with the tap improves hygiene and prevents the build-up of droplets and fingerprints on its surface, resulting in a cleaner product for longer. Roca’s electronic basin mixers offer a highly hygienic and effective solution to fight the spread of viruses and bacteria and to reduce the use of water, making it a more eco-friendly choice.

The WC’s chosen to complete the guest washrooms are from Roca’s ever-popular The Gap range including The Gap clean rim wall hung WC, with luxury soft close toilet seat.

Sara Farina, Specification Manager for Roca comments:

“We collaborated closely with the Melia Hotel team and main contractor mac-group to ensure that our innovative and high-quality bathroom products were the perfect solution for the bathrooms in this exciting project. Roca has a long heritage of working on some of the world’s most prestigious hospitality projects and we were delighted to be able to utilise our expertise at the INNSiDE Liverpool hotel.”

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Accor: our future is about sustainable growth

December 20, 2021

Jean-Jacques Morin, deputy CEO & CFO, and Brune Poirson, chief sustainability officer, discuss the Group’s commitment to ESG, focusing on one of its key areas: net zero carbon.

Jean-Jacques explains “ESG challenges – i.e., Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) criteria that enable extra-financial analysis – are now at the top of the agenda for companies worldwide, even more so since the beginning of the health crisis.

“To adapt accordingly, our Group is accelerating its transition to sustainable growth and affirming its environmental values. This is part of our commitment to deliver an ever-more sustainable hospitality model, making positive impacts, both locally and globally, ensuring we contribute more than we take. It’s our role to shape the future of travel and make it more sustainable, and this means integrating Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) criteria as fundamental to our strategy.”

Brune Poirson – chiel sustainability officer agrees “We need to be proactive, we need to be contributing.”

Among the key environmental ESG areas, the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions is a priority for our Group. Accor is aiming for net zero emissions by 2050 with intermediate targets and recently placed its first bond issue indexed to its sustainable development goals (Sustainability-Linked Bond).

Click the link to view to the discussion in full.

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Roca UK appoints new managing director

December 20, 2021

Rashpal Sidhu, currently UK finance and service director of leading bathroom manufacturer Roca UK, will succeed Alan Dodds as managing director from April 2022.

Rashpal Sidhu has over 15 years of experience on the Roca senior management team, driving the strategic direction of the business, and overseeing the company’s finance, customer service and warehouse operations to increase Roca’s performance and growth.

Rashpal Sidhu comments: “I am hugely looking forward to taking on my new role and maximising the opportunities ahead for the Roca brand. 2021 will be a record year for the Roca Group in the UK and we have exciting plans for growth in 2022. With a strong team, innovative new products and major new initiatives to launch, we are set for an encouraging and positive year.’

Following 22 years of leading the Roca Group in the UK and Ireland, Alan Dodds will step down as Managing Director from April 4th 2022. Dodds will continue to be closely involved with the business and will be moving into the role of Chairman.

Alan Dodds says: “I have worked very closely with Rashpal for many years and have absolutely no doubt that he will lead the company to an even more successful future. I am delighted to be staying on with the Group in a part time capacity, supporting Rashpal and the rest of the senior management team. During Q1 2022 I will work with Rashpal to ensure a smooth handover and transition, and I look forward to continuing our very successful collaboration”

For more information visit www.uk.roca.com.

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Opal Quiz launched in Pantone’s striking new colour of the year, 2022

December 15, 2021

Acquabella has responded to Pantone’s colour of the year by creating their Award-winning Opal Quiz in the highly acclaimed Very Peri.

“The unveiling of Pantone’s colour of the year is always an eagerly anticipated event but the truly stunning 2022 selection has definitely got our mouths’ watering!” said Aquabella.

It’s the first time Pantone has manufactured a colour instead of using a pre-existing archive and the global colour authority says this was a decision that was inspired by recent events: “The Pantone Color of the Year reflects what is taking place in our global culture, expressing what people are looking for that colour can hope to answer,” commented Laurie Pressman, Vice President of the Pantone Color Institute.

For Home Decor & Interior Design, PANTONE 17-3938 Very Peri injects a sense of playful freshness into home interiors, enlivening a space through unusual colour combinations.

Combining truly avant-garde geometric design with the new texture and a beautiful sculptured shape. The bath is available in the full Acquabella colour range, (Standard, Natural and RAL) and measures 180 cm x 55 with a width at its widest point of 80 cm.

RRP for Very Peri is £5731

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Duravit interviews Cecilie Manz

December 14, 2021

Danish designer Cecilie Manz’s minimalist design language invokes the Scandinavian concept of living for a brand-new sense of wellbeing. Carefully conceived materials that appeal to the sense of touch emphasise the gentle forms and exacting geometry. Perfectly harmonized colour combinations complete the overall picture.

Recently Duravit interviewed Cecilie Manz and asked about Luv, life and bathrooms…

D: What emotion do you associate with the bathroom range Luv that you designed for Duravit?

CM For me, Luv is about sheer cosiness for the perfect feel-good factor – natural, uncomplicated, and
unobtrusive.

D: What’s most important to you in a bathroom?

CM: The bathroom is one of the most intimate rooms and what matters to me are qualities like “clean, “functional”, and “comfortable”. Everything should be hygienic and low-maintenance, it should work well and at the same time, I want the materials, colours, and the overall ambience to exude a sense of wellbeing. In the bathroom, I enjoy my “every day spa moment”.

D:The colours and surfaces that you’ve selected for the bathroom series Luv radiate natural warmth while simultaneously managing to appear contemporary. Where do you get your inspiration?

CM: In the bathroom, you often find cool and clear colours. Because Luv has a very pure design, it was important for me to create a cosy and welcoming component using subtle, natural tones. I often find inspiration for colours in nature – I always have a couple of pebbles in my bag.

D: What were the biggest challenges for you in designing furnishings for the bathroom?

CM: I’m not sure if it makes such a big difference whether you’re designing a piece of furniture for the bathroom, the living room, or the kitchen. The design process involves the same approach and we go through the same mechanisms. At the same time, you have a greater responsibility to a certain extent: for me, it feels as though each individual object that I design in the bathroom is tailor-made for the specific person buying it. That might be because each object in this room is so important. For instance, you might have various chairs in your home and can choose which one to use at any given time.

You arrange your home how you want and are constantly moving things around. That’s not so easy in the bathroom. That’s why I also think that people’s decisions are a lot more conscious when selecting bathroom furniture.

D: Do you believe that people’s wishes in terms of bathroom furniture are changing?

CM: It seems that bathrooms are constantly getting bigger. On the other side, there is also a need for tiny, highly efficient bathrooms. In any case, we expect the level of comfort enjoyed in the rest of the home to be part of the bathroom, too: more warm colours, natural materials, cosiness alongside inventive solutions for keeping it clean and using less water.

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Roca presents Ona, its new collection inspired by the Mediterranean

December 14, 2021

Roca’s newest complete collection offers solutions to fully equip any type of bathroom space and includes basins and furniture, brassware, baths, accessories, WCs and bidets.

Ona was developed by the Roca Design Centre team in collaboration with the international design studios Noa Design and Benedito Design.

Ona is ideal either for main or en-suite residential bathrooms, hotel bathrooms and other public spaces with intensive use. The collection features Roca’s latest innovations, such as Fineceramic® and Stonex® materials, the Everlux finish, touchless technology or Supraglaze® coating.

Ona means “Wave” in Catalan so this latest design is inspired by the Mediterranean Sea – its landscapes and lifestyle.

Fineceramic® in basins: natural hygiene and delicate shapes

Manufactured in Roca’s Fineceramic® material the basin collection reportedly facilitates a more sustainable production process and generates zero waste. All its composites are natural and the weight reduction positively impacts firing and transport, reducing CO2 emissions.

The basin range is versatile as the bowl can be placed asymmetrically or centred to provide extra useful shelving space. Over countertop basins are also available in rectangular and round shapes, in white and matt white finishes.

The glossy white has the option of Supraglaze® coating. This extra smooth surface, allows microscopic residue to slide off, and prevents dirt buildup.

Ona offers a furniture option for each basin, thanks to standard solutions with one drawer, two drawers or simple doors. They all feature a soft-close system and full extraction drawers and are available in a purely Mediterranean range of colours (matt white, matt grey, dark elm, light oak and matt green).

Brassware with character

One of Ona’s most singular elements is a tap with a distinguishing look, conceived by Benedito Design.

It stands out for its cylindrical and particularly slim body, available in different heights and spout lengths with a flat minimalistic handle.

Inside it, the Cold Start opening system, the flow limiter and a ceramic cartridge with reduced diameter guarantee greater efficiency, both in water and energy consumption.

Ona brassware is available in four finishes: the chrome option with Evershine electrolytic coating, the two new colours provided by the exclusive Everlux PVD finish (titanium black, and rose gold) and the classic matt black. The range also includes versions for shower and bath (wall-mounted and built-in), kitchen and public bathrooms, with touchless operation.

Baths and accessories, to feel closer to the Mediterranean

The bathtubs recall a peaceful and relaxing swim in the Mediterranean thanks to the large inner dimensions and the pleasant touch of Stonex®. Also inspired by natural resources, this exclusive Roca material features antislip properties. Ona bathtubs are available as built-in versions in two dimensions and models for corner-right or corner-left installation.

Accessories include a pack with countertop elements (tray, container, soap dispenser and tumbler), available in three matching furniture colours (matt white, matt grey and matt green). Manufactured with recyclable materials, they have been specifically designed to fit the basin shelf or the standard drawers of the furniture when not in use.

Rimless toilets, maximum hygiene standards

Unobtrusive toilets and bidets make the collection complete. All WCs are of the latest rimless generation and feature the Supraglaze® coating option, innovations that make cleaning easier and guarantee outstanding hygiene standards.

Ona offers toilets in different dimensions, with wall-hung, close-coupled and floor-standing models, as well as compact versions and wall-hung and back-to-wall bidets. This range also stands out for its extra height to provide greater comfort, as well as a larger flush button.

More news from Roca

www.roca.com

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PHASE DANCE: Architecture in harmony with the natural world

December 14, 2021

Nestling in a hilly forested area in Shizuoka, Japan, PHASE DANCE is an impressive architectural work by Takeshi Hirobe Architects.

Duravit’s presence in the unconventionally shaped weekend retreat appears in the form of a Vero washbasin. Vero was launched in 2001 and since then has found great popularity, especially among architects, thanks to its iconic rectangular character.

Text description provided by the Duravit: The sloping location posed a range of challenges – not least the question of how the building should be positioned on the site. To avoid an excessively large and deep foundation, a third of the floor space of the building was designed as an overhang, reducing the contact area with the ground. The basic structure from the basement to the ceiling of the second floor consists of reinforced concrete covered with wood.

Further, the architects noticed an orangebark stewartia tree during their site visit. Calculations taking account of building-spacing regulations and other restrictions indicated that the tree stood at the center of the area in which construction was possible. They decided to leave the tree intact and to design the structure of the building around it – as a tribute to the importance of nature.

While Takeshi Hirobe Architects understood the tree to be central point, they were careful to avoid a symmetrical design with uniform angles in order to create unique, generously sized rooms. With that in mind, the architects sought to lend each room a cozy and playful air.

In the bathroom, the clear formal language of the Duravit washbasin from the Vero complete bathroom range blends perfectly into the overall ambience – as elegant as it is durable.

Large windows that follow the uneven contours of the walls afford expansive views of the green landscape and bring natural light into the interior.

The upper floor serves as a library and reading area. It has the same floor plan as the lower floor and includes a triangular roof. Although the roof is subdivided into multiple sections, it gives the impression of being a single piece that covers the building.

During the continuous decision-making process, Takeshi Hirobe Architects likened their reactions to the various phases and aspects of the project to a dance – and dubbed the project “PHASE DANCE”, inspired by the dynamics of the song of the same name by guitarist Pat Metheny.

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HIX Event 2021

December 14, 2021

An apparent lull in the COVID-19 proceedings gave the events industry just enough breathing space for a new hotel design exhibition to take centre stage. HIX took place at the Business Design Centre on the 18th -19th November and promises to be an annual event that celebrates and brings together the people that represent the hotel interior supply chain.

Of the 3,202 visitors, 89% came from the UK. 130 exhibiting companies showcased projects, products and new concepts for hotel design, including some of the world’s leading FF&E suppliers, such as Carl Hansen & Son, Laufen, Burgess Furniture, Panaz, BETTE, KEUCO, Chelsom, Hansgrohe, GROHE, Case Furniture, Ligne Roset Contract, GUBI, Morgan, Fredericia, L.Ercolani, LEDS C4, Wall&decò plus many more. A sense of delight permeated the hall, summed up by Tom Dixon, Creative Director Tom Dixon Studios who commented ‘It’s buzzing, people are happy to be here!”

Central themes included wellness and sustainability. Among the many stand-out moments during HIX were the HIX Talks, featuring Tom Dixon, whose message on the issue of sustainability and materiality was simply to make less, to re-use and recycle more and to be more selective about the choice of materials when designing.

As Ilker Hussain, Global Projects Director, ROCA Group summarised: “HIX is now the spiritual home of the hotel community.”

SIX T O P P I C K S from HIX

Joel Butler, Co-founder – HIX

HIX was all about bringing the hotel design community back together after two years of being separated. HIX’s 130 exhibitors created stands with narrative, inspiration and a sense of journey, and our bathroom suppliers excelled in delivering experience and memories along the way. So much of hotel design, whether it be guest room, public restroom or spa is about wellbeing, and the bathroom is at the heart of this.

“We’re honoured to have support from such a stellar list of global manufacturers, they’ve already committed their support for 2022 and we can’t wait to experience their stories.“

Margaret Talbot, Marketing Manager – VitrA

VItrA Margaret Talbot HIX — Margaret Talbot – marketing manager for the UK & Europe – VitrA

Vistors to HIX were upbeat despite the challenges of the last two years. Demand for stunning, high-quality bathroom products remains strong, with visitors seeking stand-out designs.

“VitrA dedicated the entire stand at HIX to Liquid, VitrA’s latest designer collaboration with the world-renowned British designer Tom Dixon. Liquid combines Tom’s ‘expressive minimalism’ with a contemporary and timeless design that evokes a sense of permanence. The gloss black brassware chimes with the generous curves of white ceramic to create bathrooms that will not date.

“Visitors appreciated the thoughtful design elements like the ceramic stool, which acts as a bridge between interior furniture and the bathroom space, and the hand shower that attaches to the shower column through a magnetic connection. The response to this striking range was tremendous and exciting for us here at VitrA, as Liquid is unlike anything currently available for bathrooms in the UK. “

HIX will be back – November 17th – 18th 2022

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Diane

REHAU’s Noble Matt Collection Wins ICONIC Award

AirPower by Hansgrohe: an indulgent shower with reduced water consumption

Roca specified at new INNSiDE Liverpool 4 -star hotel

Accor: our future is about sustainable growth

Roca UK appoints new managing director

Opal Quiz launched in Pantone’s striking new colour of the year, 2022

Duravit interviews Cecilie Manz

Roca presents Ona, its new collection inspired by the Mediterranean

PHASE DANCE: Architecture in harmony with the natural world

HIX Event 2021

SIX T O P P I C K S from HIX

Keuco presents Plan Care removable shower seat

Roca showcased its latest launches at HIX

Hansgrohe’s latest innovations take the stage at HIX

VitrA showcases its new bathroom ranges

Bette presents new type of anti-slip for shower trays and baths

GROHE exhibited new Cradle to Cradle Certified® products at HIX

Joel Butler, Co-founder – HIX

Margaret Talbot, Marketing Manager – VitrA

HIX will be back – November 17th – 18th 2022