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HiB announces the winners of university design project

HiB inspire house design winners

Students taking part in a collaborative project between HiB and the University of Wolverhampton have been awarded for their creative bathroom product designs.

Four students have received prizes for their concepts which they developed as part of the project, aimed at inspiring the next generation of product designers. Each undergraduate from across the university’s Interior Design, Furniture Design and Product Design degree courses was asked to produce a product that pushed the boundaries of bathroom innovation and went beyond conventional design. They then presented their ideas to a panel of judges from HiB’s in-house product design department.

The award for the best concept went to Interior Design student Suphada Dangsuth who was presented with a £500 Amazon voucher, with fellow students Rebecca Lewis-Knight, Rebecca Shaw and Adam Heath also winning prizes for their contributions to the project.

Steve Kaye, Marketing Director at HiB said: “It was fantastic to see the creativity and out-of-the-box thinking that came from the students’ presentations and concepts. We wanted this project to offer the students the opportunity to work in a product area which they may have not considered and tackle the challenges that come with designing for the bathroom. A lot of consideration had gone into solving challenges with the space and incorporating technology which would enhance the overall experience.

“Deciding on the winners was difficult task for the team, however Suphada’s design stood out for being an intriguing concept which was very different to any of the other ideas presented. We also want to congratulate Rebecca Shaw, Rebecca Lewis-Knight and Adam Heath for also producing some very interesting designs that captured the spirit of the brief and were well displayed.”

Talking about her success in the project, Suphada said: “Dealing with an actual company brief helped me understand how to tackle the design based on customer needs. It took me awhile to collect references and understand how to approach the best design, to find the right solution. I enjoyed this stage of the process the most as it allowed me to explore the current design trends and my inspiration.”

Second prize was awarded to Rebecca Shaw. She said: “At first, I was quite speechless hearing that I came second in this competition. I feel very proud of myself for getting this far as I did have my doubts about what I was capable of before this. This definitely gave me a boost in confidence in presenting my ideas and concepts to clients and that the work I do can also be recognised in a real life situation and not just in a school environment.”

Rebecca Lewis-Knight was awarded third place for her design concept. She said: “I really enjoyed speaking to Steve, Dan and Rob, they were all extremely supportive to us as individuals and as a group.  Having a little industry exposure was fantastic, to see how a team of professionals can run with ideas and help to evolve a little bit of imagination into a product which is fit for market.  It was a lot of fun to throw ideas around with industry experts and explore how functionality and aesthetics can be combined to create something very beautiful.”

Adam Heath, who won an award for his overall approach to the project, said: “The HiB competition was a great experience for me and is something that I will take a lot from. We were given the license to think outside the box, and produce innovative products that the bathroom industry hasn’t seen before, which I felt a lot of my peers did. I am very proud of the work I produced and the feedback I was given was positive, and I now believe that I can move on and have a positive effect on the rest of my degree, as I now have a better understanding of my strengths and weakness.”

  • Rebecca Lewis-Knight
  • HiB University Design Project
    Adam Heath
  • Rebecca Shaw
  • Suphada Dangsuth

Due to the recent success of the collaboration with the University of Wolverhampton, HiB hopes to expand the partnership over the next few years and offer more industry projects and opportunities to students looking to enter the bathroom product design industry.

Rhys Thomas, Senior Lecturer 3D Design at the University, said: “The success of the HiB and University of Wolverhampton collaboration is testament to the hard work and dedication of our talented students and the excellent support they have received from Steve Kaye and the design team at HiB.

“HiB has worked closely with our students in developing concepts for the next generation of innovative bathroom products. Online presentation and feedback sessions have provided students with the opportunity to present their work while receiving valuable, industry insight and guidance. I want to thank HIB for the opportunity and time given to this project; we look forward to future collaborations.”

For details about HiB visit https://www.hib.co.uk/

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HiB uses sensor technology to deliver hygienic solutions

Hib Dusk Sensor technology

The new Dusk cabinet from HiB features a touchless wave sensor to activate the cabinet’s top light, which offers effective illumination across the face. The cabinet’s integrated LED lighting features colour changing technology, allowing the user to change the light from cool white to a warm glow, making it suitable for a range of users.

Hygiene has always been a focus for the bathroom, after all, it’s one of the main purposes of the space. Now perhaps more than ever, people are aware of sanitation and the importance of hygiene in our everyday lives. Naturally, this has led to a surge in demand for products that not only improve hygiene and reduce the risk of virus or bacteria transmission but is also easy for all members of the family to use.

Dusk is part of a development initiative from HiB’s in-house product design team, they have been working hard to incorporate new innovations into the design of mirrors, cabinets, furniture and accessories, in order to revolutionise the way we interact with our bathrooms. HiB continually refines the use of hygiene technology to benefit families who want safe and practical bathrooms that also look and feel great.

One of the biggest developments over the past few years has been the inclusion of touch-free features across product ranges, such as using wave sensors and sensor activation to help users to avoid picking up potential viruses and bacteria from shared surfaces.

As well as providing a solution to hygiene by reducing touch points, inside Dusk’s striking black glass side panels with low level ambient backlighting, there are a number of convenient features to enhance the users’ experience. Personal devices, toothbrushes and shavers can be charged with ease using the cabinet’s integrated 2 pin socket and USB point. A ‘keep clean’ mat is also included to help maintain hygiene and ensure that the cabinet stays neat and tidy. The silicone mat has been designed to be removable so that it is easy to clean and can be placed at a position within the cabinet which suits the user. Ample storage is available for all members of the family thanks to the adjustable glass shelving, with the central divide(s) on Dusk 60 and 80 offering even more useable space for everyday items.

Sensor technology Dusk touchless
Dusk touchless Cabinet

Available in 50cm, 60cm and 80cm widths, Dusk is a sophisticated and stylish cabinet choice for bathrooms of all sizes. For more information about the Dusk cabinet or to see the full range, visit www.hib.co.uk

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VitrA meets the ‘Covid challenge’ and safeguards bathrooms

VitrA meets the covid challenge

VitrA manufacturers complete bathroom solutions and is well equipped to help meet the many challenges that COVID-19 has created.  Whether that be reducing touchpoints with no contact flushing to water delivery, Vitra‘s ranges are designed to guard against virus and bacteria build-up. Thanks to special finishes on ceramic ware and tiles, VitrA can create bathrooms that are both safe and design-led. 

Wall-hung WCs and wall-hung bathroom furniture speed up the daily housekeeping routine, by making it easier to access those hard-to-reach areas.  Tiled walls and floors are easy and straightforward to clean as there are no skirting boards to harbour germs and dirt. Tiles with built-in antibacterial properties such as VitrA Shield help maintain hygeine levels for all environments, whether domestic or commercial.

Furthermore, on all WCs and basins, VitrA adds a unique glaze to reduce the growth of bacteria and limescale, this VitrA Hygiene glaze is available as standard on all ceramic sanitary ware products.

VitrA Clean coating is available on several ceramic basins, vanity basin tops and WC products. The coating increases the surface tension, ensuring the water flows smoothly from the surface. All that is required to keep the basin clean is a wipe with a damp cloth and mild detergent.

  • Making hotel bathrooms safe
    Example of standard WC Rim
  • Making hotel bathrooms safe
    Rimless less cleaning on VitrA Rimex Wcs makes cleaning easy

The rim around a conventional toilet pan is the place where water enters and is usually open, creating the perfect place for bacteria and limescale to accumulate.  VitrA’s Rim-Ex technology offers the latest in WC bowl design.  With a rimless, smooth internal pan, there is no hiding place for bacteria to multiply and limescale to build-up. Rim-Ex ensures the best in hygiene and offers the added benefit of speeding up cleaning time.  Tests undertaken by Akdeniz University, in Turkey, prove that Rim-Ex is 95% more hygienic than a standard WC pan.  

Pictured Top: VitrA Frame bathroom furniture with new VitrA Prime smart WC designed by Arik Levy

www.VitrA.co.uk

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Bette shower-floors for accessibility and hygiene

Bette shower floors

Shower Floors for Accessibility

Flush-to-floor shower trays are growing in popularity because they look so stylish and contemporary, while also increasing accessibility in the bathroom.

Bette reports a trend towards larger shower areas, with Bette’s 1800 x 1000 mm size being selected more often, as it is great to use and can help to create an extremely luxurious look. There is also more interest in anti-slip, now that almost invisible options are available, and in other finishing touches that provide a benefit for the customer, such as BetteUpstand, which means that no silicone is required where the shower tray meets the wall.

BetteFloor flush-to-floor shower areas, in glazed titanium-steel, come in a large range of sizes and colours and offer ease of use and durability. They are also available with BetteAntiSlip Pro surface, which is almost invisible and so does not detract from the stylish look of the shower area.

Bette shower-floors
BetteFloor Side flush to floor shower area

The Material for Hygiene

The material the product is made from plays a huge part in determining how hygienic it can be, as those that can become scratched, can harbour dirt and bacteria and will be more difficult to clean. Bette uses glazed titanium-steel for all its baths, shower floors and basins. It is harder than marble, acrylic, stone resin or steel alone and its unique smoothness makes it difficult for dirt and bacteria to adhere to the glass-hard, non-porous surface. Dirt is easy to rinse off, and the material’s durability also means it can withstand heightened cleaning regimes, such as the use of bleach, as it is unaffected by chemicals. Bette glazed titanium-steel shower trays, shower floors, baths and basins also come with a 30 year warranty and are 100% recyclable.

BetteCraft basin

For more information see www.my-bette.com/en or telephone 0844 800 0547.

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Bette freestanding bath chosen for The Balmoral hotel

Bette freestanding bath

The Balmoral, a Rocco Forte hotel in the heart of Edinburgh, has been extensively refurbished over recent years, with the most recent development being a new look for one of its signature suites, The Glamis.  The suite has been designed by Olga Polizzi, Rocco Forte Hotels’ Director of Building & Design, and features a Bette freestanding bath, made from glazed titanium-steel.

Named after one of the UK’s most beautiful and historic royal abodes, Glamis Castle, childhood home of HM Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, the Glamis Suite is full of period charm and regal references. Stretching over 100 square metres, with a prime position overlooking the entrance to the hotel on Princes Street, the new suite can be booked with one, two or three bedrooms.

The suite features a marble-clad bathroom with a BetteStarlet Oval Silhouette freestanding bath. The bath has a spacious and comfortable interior, with back rests at both ends, making it comfortable for two to bathe together.

It is made from Bette’s highly durable, hygienic and easy to clean glazed titanium-steel and is available in five sizes and in a wide range of colours. Like all Bette baths, shower trays and basins, the BetteStarlet Oval Silhouette is made from natural materials, is 100% recyclable and comes with a 30 year warranty.

For further information on Bette see www.my-bette.com/en or telephone 0844 800 0547.

About Bette

Bette manufactures baths, shower trays and basins in one of the most beautiful and durable materials: glazed titanium-steel. Its products are available in a huge range of designs, sizes and over 400 colours, including gloss and matt finishes.

If a specific size is required, Bette can create the shower tray or bath to the exact measurements. Shower trays and fitted baths can be ordered with BetteUpstand, for no silicone where the product meets the wall. Bette also offers an almost invisible anti-slip surface: BetteAnti-slip Pro.

Bette offers a wide choice of shower trays and shower floors in hundreds of sizes and colours. The award-winning BetteFloor is a flush-to-floor shower area that is like one large enamelled steel tile which is easy to clean and hygienic.  It can be ordered with a pre-attached system to make installation fast and easy.

Bette baths, shower trays and basins use only natural materials in their production and are so durable that they come with a 30 year warranty. When they do, eventually, reach the end of their life, they are 100% recyclable.

www.my-bette.com/en

info@bette.co.uk

0844 800 0547

Bette GmbH & Co. KG UK
2 The Courtyard Hall Farm
Lockington Derbyshire DE74 2SL

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Hewi’s new disinfection dispenser column for entrances

“Hygiene is becoming increasingly important in people’s minds. The effects of the Covid-19 pandemic has influenced many aspects of our daily lives. Companies, hotels, and all institutions with highly frequented entrance areas are faced with the challenge of raising hygiene standards as soon as customers, guests, patients and visitors enter.” Comments Stephen Maley, UK Sales Director.

Hygiene with style

The new disinfectant dispenser column from HEWI meets the increased hygiene requirements in public and highly frequented areas. The mobile solution for hand disinfection increases hygiene in washrooms, entrance areas of public buildings, healthcare buildings, and the catering and hotel industry.

Offering design flexibility, the HEWI design line is available in stainless steel and powder-coated surfaces. In addition, HEWi is offering either a deep matt finish in white, grey tones or black, thus enabling an aesthetic interpretation of hygiene measures in entrance areas and lobbies.

Hewi Disinfectant Column

Touchless disinfection

The sensor dispenser can be used without touching. The mechanism and drip tray are integrated into the body of the column and are retractable. The disinfection dispenser columns offer a purist design for entrance areas and, thanks to a reinforced base, optimum stability for hand disinfection.

System competence in hygiene

The disinfectant dispenser column can also be combined with other sanitary solutions. HEWI manufacture soap and disinfectant dispensers, paper towel dispensers, and waste bins in complementary design styles.

Hewi Disinfectant column

HEWI | Public

HEWI believe equipment solutions in public and semi-public areas should reflect the character of the property. Other important aspects in planning and realisation are atmosphere, user well-being as well as economy and sustainability. HEWI promises desgners a consistent approach to meeting these requirements. Consciously selected materials and their careful workmanship result in high-quality products that can withstand the high frequency of users over many years.

Visit Hewi’s website for further information

Pictured Top: New disinfection dispenser column

Pictured Middle: Disinfection dispenser columns in stainless steel and powder coatings

Pictured Bottom: Hygiene in the entrance area: the disinfection dispenser column

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New Maui and Kauai freestanding baths from Roca

Maui Round Bath Roca

Roca’s latest freestanding baths, Maui and Kauai, integrate sophisticated classic shapes and are manufactured from Roca’s innovative design material, Stonex®.

The Maui freestanding bath (pictured top) recalls the shape of ancient bathtubs. Ideal for contemporary bathrooms, they are also suited for sophisticated options where the bath is placed in the bedroom.

Thanks to its slim Stonex® walls and its pure outline with rounded angles, Maui brings a chic twist to a modern bathroom design. The Round format, with a dimension of 1500×700mm, offers an oval shape with a slightly elongated backrest for better body posture.

Maul is also available in a Square version, which features subtle side curves that support the hands. In both options, the white finish delivers timeless design pieces, perfect for stylish bathrooms. For a vintage effect, choose a twin-lever tap with star-shaped levers like the ones found in Roca’s Carmen and Loft collections. If a more modern aesthetic is needed, opt for the installation of a single-lever straight-angle brassware like the L90.

Also available is the Kauai freestanding bath with its timeless curved shape, reminiscent of the oval shape of a pebble, making it a perfect centrepiece for any stylish bathroom. These new baths provide a great solution for UK bathrooms due to the compact size offering, with no compromise on design.

Kauai freestanding bath Roca

The Maui and Kauai baths are manufactured in Stonex®, which provides a natural and pleasant feeling across its entire surface. This material, made up of a selection of high-quality resins and mineral particles, achieves a smooth gloss finish during the production process, but with excellent anti-slip properties to ensure maximum safety while bathing. Its colour remains intact over time and does not discolour from exposure to UV light. It is also resistant to wear and tear including scratches and abrasions.

Roca’s new freestanding baths are modern in design and performance with classic inspiration. The Maui and Kauai baths are perfect to provide those eternal occasions of peace and serenity that are only found whilst bathing.

RRP from £1,900.00 plus VAT.

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Nobu Palo Alto unveils multi-million redesign

Led by Montalba Architects and Shawmut Design and Construction, the latest Nobu Palo Alto refurbishment includes a new facade, lobby, dining spaces, Ryokan-inspired guestrooms and suites, and meeting spaces on the upper floors overlooking the Santa Cruz Mountains.

Drawing inspiration from its sister property, Nobu Ryokan Malibu, Ryokan accommodations include five suites designed in soothing tones and natural materials such as white oak panelling, teak accents and crema marfil marble stone, which create a peaceful Japanese-Californian aesthetic. The rooms also feature bespoke furnishings like handcrafted Japanese bedside lantern, while subtly integrated technology includes butler service control keypads, Alexa devices and Toto‘s Neorest washlets.

On the eighth floor, three meeting spaces bathed in warm wood panelling are equipped with sideboards, conference tables and 90” TVs, while floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors provide access to large teak-decked landscaped patios with comfortable furnishings and integrated heaters. Secured elevator key access, 24-hour butler service, priority seating in the restaurant and executive turn-down service are feature amenities to the hotel’s new Ryokan experience, though these have been slightly altered due to the current travel climate.

“The curation of the Ryokan levels’ design, along with the craftsmanship, really speak to the type of distinctive hospitality experience that awaits guests of the floors,” says David Montalba, founder of Montalba Architects on the firm’s approach to the transformation.

“We wanted to craft a luxurious experience through the use of materials – like the warmth of the wood, natural textures and crispness of the detailing – which reinforce the concept of such a unique, tranquil retreat-like stay within downtown Palo Alto.”

Nobu Palo Alto
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BiKBBI CEO warns Govt to support home-improvement

The BiKBBI has called on the Government to support tradespeople and retailers to ensure they play a full part in the economic recovery that will be needed now that the route out of lockdown is clear. 

Commenting on the day that the Prime Minister announces how the UK will emerge from lockdown over the coming months, the British Institute of Kitchen, Bedroom & Bathroom Installation (BiKBBI) has called for immediate action to help independent retailers open their doors and installers get to work, as well as longer-term interventions that stimulate consumer demand, open up supply chains and support skills development. 

Damian Walters, Chief Executive of BiKBBI, said: “Tradespeople and independent businesses in the home improvement industry cannot afford to be ignored by the Government as we finally begin to open up the country. 

“Our industry has felt the economic impact of the pandemic more than most. Installers in England and Wales invested time and money into Safe Operating Procedures that allowed them to continue serving customers through the most recent lockdown, but our members north of the border were forced to down tools as the Scottish Government took a much more restrictive approach. As a result, far too many tradespeople have struggled to make ends meet due the additional expenditure needed to work safely or the loss of income from being unable to work at all.

“Meanwhile, the industry’s independent retailers were forced to close their doors while larger competitors carried on trading thanks to loopholes that allowed them to classify as trade suppliers. The loss of business could force many shops to close for good, doing further damage to high streets that are already struggling. 

“Our industry is one of the cornerstones of the UK economy, providing products and services in demand across every part of the country and offering a route to skilled work for people from all walks of life. It’s vital that every effort is made to help it quickly recover from the hit it has taken over the past year. This means immediately declassifying independent Kitchen, Bedroom and Bathroom retailers from being ‘non-essential’ so that they can compete on a level playing field with large trade suppliers. It also means working with the Scottish Government to ensure that installers in Scotland can get back to work as quickly as possible. 

“Beyond that, it must include efforts to stimulate the market through tax incentives that encourage people to invest in their homes; moves to quickly unlock supply chains that have slowed over recent months; and continued support for the education and training initiatives needed to maintain a skilled workforce. 

“The Prime Minister has offered a glimmer of hope to tradespeople and independent retailers who have had to contend with such huge challenges over the past year, but more will be needed to help them play a part as the national recovery gets underway.” 

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Schlosshotel project by aledolci & co. studio

The Schlosshotel project has been signed by aledolci & co. studio of architect Alessandro Dolci, based in Egna (BZ). and focuses on an external duplex villa.

Schlosshotel

The villa is connected to the hotel but features an extra level of privacy.

The contemporary design of the facades and interiors are built from high-performance materials.

The interior of each apartment has been designed as a flexible space, various configurations are available according to the customers’ need. Each floor houses a single apartment with a living room, kitchen and three bedrooms that can be used by large families or groups of friends.

The moodboard interiors, as required by the clients, is far from the typical alpine folklore that is very common in the nearby hotels. Ton sur ton, smooth surfaces and an urban spirit characterises the choices of colours and materials while maintaining the warmth of the hospitality.

Outdoor spaces, balconies and loggias, are important while staying in the mountains for either drying equipment, or for relaxation after a day of climbing. For this reason, part of the design of the facade is made up of wooden screens among the balconies to guarantee greater privacy.

The Spa

The new Spa of the Schlosshotel, the first CBDSpa in Switzerland, was also built by studio aledolci & co. This paradise uses natural products based on hemp derivatives for the treatments reserved for guests.

In a generous and elegant space with a large area of 350 square meters, guests can enjoy privacy and comfort. On the lower floor, there is also a new fitness area and a room reserved for training and yoga. The area is equipped with cutting-edge innovation and features hot spa-baths and an ice room.

Alessandro Dolci comments “The owners, managers of the hotel, requested a space that could offer top equipment and an innovative concept for customers.

“The Spa (is) built in the surrounding structures, to create spaces with a more urban and linear language with refined surfaces, without the hints of mountain roughness, which have been trendy in recent decades “.  

A Winter Garten connects the lounge and reception and is decorated with a palette of bright colors.

 CONCRETA

Also part of the project, Concreta is an interior contractor based in Postalesio (Sondrio) in Valtellina that delivers customized furniture for hotels and accommodation facilities, and more generally, in contract solutions at national and international level.

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