To mark their 25th anniversary, Spanish bathroom manufacturer Acquabella has created a new design concept around the number 25.
The Quiz design has a beautiful linear effect based around a subtle geometric focus, with 25 individual lines converging to make the dynamic diagonal lined pattern. This ingenious design creates movement and texture, bringing the bathroom to life. A true “Line of Beauty”.
Fernando Maceda, Product Manager of the Quiz range from Acquabella says, “using the linear design we aimed to do something different to represent the history of Acquabella: 25 years of innovative creations that blend into a unique finish that is formed by different textures set beneath geometric patterns. Avant-garde translated into an Haute Couture piece”.
Kaldewei has announced it is part of the prestigious Sky Pool project on London’s South Bank, developed by Ballymore and EcoWorld Ballymore.
The Sky Pool has a frame that weighs 50 tonnes; it is 8 inches (200 mm)n thick with a 12-inch (300 mm) thick base and is nearly 10 feet (3.0 m) in depth, resting on an invisible steel frame.
Kaldewei products were fitted in all the tower apartments either side of the Sky Pool. The shower trays and baths are all created from Kaldewei steel enamel and it is this fusion of steel and glass, which makes the products extremely strong and durable like the Sky Pool.
However, if all the baths in both towers were filled with water they would not come close to filling the Sky Pool; which at 82 feet long, with 46 of those suspended in mid-air, it is longer than most Olympic sized pools which when full contain over 2.5 million litres of water.
The Cayono Puro bath, Centro Duo 2 bathtub and the Superplan XXL’s have all been selected for the bathrooms, as well as Kaldewei’s Secure Plus anti-slip finish, which is virtually invisible and guarantees safe footing, an essential requirement when walking on any wet surface.
About KALDEWEI KALDEWEI is a German family-run business that has now been devoted to its material, steel enamel, for over 100 years and four generations. The portfolio takes in bathtubs, shower surfaces and washbasins, as well as installation systems for project business and private clients. These superb bathroom solutions made of superior KALDEWEI steel enamel can be 100 per cent recycled when they come to the end of their long useful life. The premium manufacturer is thus making a major contribution to eco-friendly buildings. KALDEWEI is also a long-term partner of the WWF marine conservation programme that is devoted to reducing plastic waste in our oceans. Because it takes its responsibility to the environment and future generations seriously.
The Unified Water Label Association has welcomed a ministerial statement on reducing water waste, published today, (01July). The statement outlines the government’s approach to reduce the demand for water in order to fulfil the ambitious requirements of the 25 Year Environment Plan.
The measures, proposed to create more water efficient homes, include; asking water companies to address leakage on customers own pipes, encouraging local authorities to adopt the optional minimum building standard of 110 litres per person per day in all new builds, developing a roadmap towards greater water efficiency in new developments and retrofits, exploring revised building regulations and how the development of new technologies can contribute to meeting these standards, and the introduction of a mandatory water efficiency label.
UWLA MD Yvonne Orgill says, “We welcome this announcement and the importance that the government is now placing on the sustainability message. We are looking forward to working with the government and taking forward our industry water label, a unique tool, developed by industry experts and used extensively to identify water use of bathroom products. In the first half of 2021, over 28,000 visitors have used the water calculator and since its development over 10 years ago over 150,000 projects have been calculated.
“The Unified Water Label is tried and tested in the market place. It is robust and meets all the demands of the environmental bill. It has been developed by the industry, by working together we have made significant progress, taking on board the challenges and driving forward changes in opinion and habits in consumers.
“If we can continue to work collectively towards a common goal, I am confident that with government support we can make the Unified Water Label a mandatory solution that works for the industry and the consumer.
“Those interested in finding out how they can become involved by supporting the Unified Water Label can find out more here.”
HiB’s Managing Director Robert Ginsberg has been ranked as one of the top business leaders in the UK, as part of the Growing Business Intelligence SME Leaders 20.
The award recognises and celebrates the achievements of leaders at small or medium-sized enterprises and is presented to those that have demonstrated strength, innovation, flexibility and resilience during the challenges of the past 18 months.
Robert, who has been MD for the leading bathroom supplier for more than nine years, was among the top 20 individuals chosen to receive the award by the panel of judges and be congratulated for his efforts. He said: “I am delighted to have been named among the winners of this year’s SME Leaders 20. Supporting HiB through its continued growth, navigating the current economic climate and putting together a strategy for the future has been central to my role along with the other Directors. To see the business go from strength to strength while also doing as much as possible to support our employees, our partners and the wider community has been a real privilege and we’re driving forward with our vision to achieve even more in the coming years.”
The SME Leaders 20 award by Growing Business Intelligence, in association with Azets, identifies an elite group of individuals who have made a significant difference to their respective businesses.
Fraser Campbell, UK Head of Accounts and Business Advisory Services at Azets and one of the judges of this year’s awards, said: “Congratulations to our SME Leaders 20. SMEs are the backbone of the economy and they have faced some of the most challenging circumstances over the last 15 months with real courage and perseverance. All entries were inspiring and full of a determination to succeed – an impressive trait in SMEs. We are delighted to share the SME Leaders 20 results and celebrate the leadership and ambition of SMEs across the UK.”
Elcad software from Innodraw is fast and accurate. It can measure an average kitchen, bathroom or bedroom in under 20 minutes. Showing the size and location of all the walls, doors, windows, electrical sockets, plugs, water outlets, air-condition and more.
Elcad also creates Construction Accurate and 2D and 3D drawings. Sending them directly from your customer site, straight to your designers CAD program.
Automatic conversion of the digital drawings to AutoCAD, Sketchup and other leading formats.
Click the link below to view a short video on how Elcad can quickly measures a room:
Virtual Worlds has announced it has been recognized with a Top Retail Award for its Augmented Reality and 4D Theatre for kbb retailers.
“At a time of increased digital demand and after a year like no other for retailers, it’s quite humbling to win this award,” commented Virtual Worlds Managing Director Nathan Maclean. “As retailers embrace technology in ever-increasing numbers, at Virtual Worlds we are proud to be leading the way and providing them with the solutions they need to best serve their customers in 2021 and beyond.”
Recognised by the Retail Systems Awards judging panel for its innovation, Virtual Worlds 4D Theatre removes some of the traditional barriers faced by kbb retailers;
limited footprint, ageing displays, and a lack of information. This award-winning technology offers consumers a fully immersive design experience which changes their buying behaviour.
Virtual Worlds is the UK market leader in innovation-led CAD technology for the KBB market. Since launching in 1998, it has broken boundaries in virtual technology innovation – being the first company to develop 3D design software for KBB retailers and, most recently, launching its new 4D Showroom Technology. Virtual Worlds is a division of Logicom Computer Services (UK) Ltd
VitrA’s water saving bathroom sanitaryware, taps, mixers and flushing solutions make it easy to keep bathrooms hygienic and safe and save resources all without compromising on style. Committed to reducing the use of non-renewable resources in manufacturing, all VitrA products are made in line with the Blue Life philosophy, set to the highest sustainable standards.
VittA Suit L Basin Mixer
Washing hands is so important during Covid 19, add in faces and dental hygiene and the result is every household uses a great deal of water at the bathroom sink. VitrA’s innovative water-saving designs mean bathroom owners don’t have to compromise on style when becoming more water conscious.
A medium water pressure mixer, the Suit U design comes with an integrated water aerator: a small attachment that sits on the end of the tap. Adding streams of air into the water flow, less water is used in the same amount of time, a simple way to take control over water usage. All encompassed in a stylish, modern mixer, it’s easy to create a bespoke bathroom that’s environmentally conscious.
Reducing flush volumes:
VitrA Sento Wall-Hung WC Pan with Twin 2 dual flush Plate in Gold
VitrA Sento wall-hung WC pan RRP £250 with Twin 2 flush plate in Gold RRP £86.
WC’s are the main culprit for water wastage in the household since we flush an average of 7.7 times a day per person. Some of VitrA’S wall hung frames are manufactured with dual flushing options, meaning a single flush can use as little as between 2.5 and 4 litres of water, minimising wastage. The Sento wall hung WC is a contemporary, modern model which would effortlessly add style to any bathroom, while having a positive impact on a home’s environmental footprint.
Guilt free bathing: VitrA Balance Bath
With a growing focus on well-being and having a space to relax, a soak in the bath is known to be stress reliever, but a huge water consumer. However, smartly designed by VitrA, the Balance bathtub is shallower than a standard bath using less water to fill. By altering the sloped end of the bath to 45 degrees, the user can still run a deep bubble bath whilst saving a significant amount of water. Available in three sizes.
Sarah Heil will be responsible for IFA Global Communications from July 1, 2021. She takes over the duties of Nicole von der Ropp, who will leave Messe Berlin on June 30, 2021.
Sarah Heil has been working in the Corporate Communications department of Messe Berlin since 2019 and, after successfully completing her traineeship, was responsible for the PR and communications of CMS Berlin and belektro. In addition, she was awarded the DPRG JuniorAward in the Young Professionals category last year, together with her colleague Tim Benedict Wegner. Nicole von der Ropp has been in charge of IFA as PR Manager since 2008. During this time, she was responsible for the entire PR and communications of the leading global trade show IFA, as well as for the IFA events in China and the USA. From July 2021, von der Ropp will be devoting herself to new professional challenges.
About IFA Berlin IFA, a significant trade show for consumer and home electronics for key retailers, buyers, and experts from the industry and the media.
All GROHE EcoJoy™ products are systematically designed to save water and energy so that precious resources are conserved. These products, equipped with water-saving technologies, offer the perfect water experience without the need to compromise. Reducing water and energy consumption goes hand in hand with convenience and attractive design. Less water, perfect flow.
GROHE Tempesta 250 shower set (Cube design) with thermostat for wall mounting
Designed to be wall-mounted, this exposed shower system features a Tempesta 250 Cube head shower, a Tempesta Cosmopolitan 100 hand shower, thermostat, shower rail with 390mm swivable shower arm and gliding element to adjust the hand shower, plus a 1750mm Rotaflex Twistfree hose.
At 250mm the head shower creates a generous showering area and has an appealing slim profile. The spray pattern is the gentle, refreshing Rain Spray. There are 2 spray patterns to choose from on the 100mm hand shower – the soft Rain and the powerful, targeted Jet Spray. Both showers feature water-saving GROHE EcoJoy – limiting flow to 9.5l/min on the head shower and 5.7l/min on the hand shower – for reduced water consumption but the same great performance.
The shower system delivers water at a constant temperature with no nasty surprises, thanks to GROHE’s TurboStat technology makes sure that the water is a constant temperature with no unpleasant fluctuations. The GROHE SafeStop override button is set at 38°C to prevent scalding and keep the whole family protected. And the GROHE SafeStop Plus temperature limiter can be set to limit to 43°C for an extra level of safety. Switch between head and hand shower and adjust the volume, all via one handle, with the AquaDimmer function.
Bette glazed titanium-steel baths, shower trays and washbasins combine high-end design with robust eco-credentials.
Glazed titanium-steel is one of the most luxurious materials, but it can also be one of the most sustainable, especially as it is extremely long-lasting, made from natural materials and 100% recyclable.
Bette also strives to improve its sustainability every year through a host of initiatives that cover everything from the energy it uses, to the packaging that protects its products.
Bette currently produces two-thirds of its own energy requirements through investment in solar technology at its factory in Germany, and its aim, over the coming years, is to produce all of its own energy through investment in renewable energy technologies.
BetteOval Silhouette
Bette also has a policy of buying its materials as locally as it can, with 99% being bought from Europe. This not only helps with its carbon footprint, but also with continuity of supply.
This year Bette will be launching its first annual sustainability report. It will include detailed facts and figures on Bette’s sustainability performance and will be updated every year to give its customers an accurate picture of its sustainability credentials.
For more information see www.my-bette.com/en or telephone 0844 800 0547.
