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hotelforum discussion with Bette & hospitality sector

hotelforum discussion

As a member of the European Networking Architecture, German bathroom manufacturer, Bette, has created a panel of leading design and hotel industry professionals, which will discuss whether there are ‘new guidelines for hotel design, enforced by pandemic experiences.’ The discussion will take place in English as part of the hotelforum event on October 7 and can be accessed online.

Sebastian Noack from Bette comments: “As a result of the pandemic, the demands on hygiene safety measures in hotels have increased massively. The panel discussion will consider whether this is an opportunity to plan, design and build crisis-proof hotels to help achieve a competitive advantage through hygiene-oriented design. We hope it will also be a useful opportunity to consider whether the increased expectations on hygiene standards will also have an impact on the choice of materials, as has been the case in the health sector.”

The panel discussion will explore the positions of developers/owners, operators and designers on investment in high hygiene standards and if and how such investment can be refinanced.

The panelists in alphabetic order will be

  • Claus Dieter Jandel, Executive Vice President & Chief Development Officer Deutsche Hospitality
  • Emma King, head of design InterContinental Hotels Group
  • Federico Toresi, Global Vice President Design – Luxury & Premium Brands, Accor
  • Kirstin King, design director Bergman Interiors 
  • Marcel Wanders, founder Marcel Wanders studio
  • Monika Moser, regional managing director Wilson Associates
  • Rogier Hurkmans, Regional Director of Operations, NH / Minor Hotels

The panel will be part of hotelforum and will be held on October 7th, with the discussion starting at 3.55 CET. Hotelforum is well known for awarding the annual winner of the Hospitality Property Award.

In addition Bette invites you to its digital booth and presentation during the whole conference.

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

About Bette

Bette is a specialist in bathroom products that are made of a special metal in a unique manufacturing process: titanium steel sheets are shaped under high pressure and then finished with a thin coating that is related to glass – hence the name “glazed titanium steel”. This composite material is perfect for the bathroom (it is skin-friendly, hygienic, durable and robust), and Bette uses it to make its baths, shower areas, shower trays and washbasins.

The Bette family company was founded in Delbrück in North-Rhine Westphalia in 1952, and specialises exclusively in this manufacturing process, because it allows the products to be shaped smoothly with the maximum skilled precision. The manufacturing and administrative headquarters employs around 385 people. The CEO, Thilo C. Pahl, is a member of the owner family.

The range includes baths, shower areas, shower trays, washbasins and bathroom furniture, all made in Germany. Unique items that can be made in various colours and dimensions and open up inspiring interior design ideas for the bathroom. Bette’s assembly processes combine high-tech industrial production techniques with tailor-made manufacturing where it benefits the customer. More than half its products are customised to customer preferences. The company offers over 600 different baths, shower trays and washbasin models in a tremendous range of colours.

The natural raw materials glass, water and steel are used to manufacture high-quality products that are completely recyclable. They are verified to the Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) as per ISO 14025 and to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design).

www.my-bette.com

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Acquawhite collection launched by Acquabella

Acquabella Acquawhite Collection

Acquabella’s new Acquawhite collection stars the Levi, Vars, Venet, Lech and Zermatt series. The collection was conceived thanks to Dolotek®, Acquabella’s new material that allows highly precise, sculptural designs without compromising on its characteristic quality. In addition, this new catalogue contains the added novelty of adding bathtubs and totems to the range of products on offer.

Mineral charges and resin are combined to create Dolotek®, leading to a synergy that favours resistance to impact and thermal shock, creating a highly durable material that is also resistant to UV rays. Thus, the purest white is guaranteed, even if the product is at the mercy of the sun.

According to Acquabella another striking property of this new material is that it allows for high-precision design, tracing thin thicknesses without compromising on quality. This creates unique shapes that give the Acquawhite collection great versatility, with products that, although they follow the same lines, have a marked difference between them.

It is also worth noting the softness that features throughout the series, similar to that of natural stone. Presented by Acquabella, this new antibacterial surface is not only a delight to the touch, but also ensures easy and thorough cleaning with minimal effort as it is non-porous.

The Levi, Vars and Venet series include bathtubs, totems and sinks. Levi, inspired by the movement of the ocean, is a series whose products widen at the top, culminating in an extremely slim and captivating profile that is particularly comfortable in bathtubs. By contrast, the Vars range presents more robust shapes and takes risks with the thickness of its profiles, creating a visual game that will draw everyone’s gaze. Venet, meanwhile, is a series reminiscent of Arctic glaciers: pieces of great purity, which transmit serenity and melt at their base, giving rise to a totally groundbreaking design.

Lech is a bathtub that manages to capture the purest softness in its oval shapes. It’s a piece that blends seamlessly into any environment.

Zermatt offers a series of single and double-breasted worktops that will be the perfect complement to any bathroom, thanks to the collection’s characteristic white. These are characterised by their angular and robust shapes.

  • Serie Lech
  • Acquawhite-Serie Zermatt
    Serie Zermatt
  • Acquawhite-Vars
    Serie Vars

With the new collection, Acquabella opens the door onto a timeless, attractively simple new design, which conceals a great variety capable of seducing all audiences, turning the bathroom into a room full of design, comfort and relaxation.

Visit the Acquabella website to find out more.

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ISH to be an online-only event

ISH to be online only event

According to organiser Messe Frankfurt, the decision to cancel the live event (planned to take place next March) was due to governments tightening travel restrictions and the fact the latest pandemic developments are causing growing uncertainty among trade fair customers.

Wolfgang Marzin, President and Chief Executive Officer of Messe Frankfurt: “It is important for our customers that we make a decision at an early date, as it would otherwise be time for them to begin investing in their trade fair presentations. Messe Frankfurt will continue working closely with its customers to ensure that its decisions serve the interests of the exhibiting industries.”

“That is why Messe Frankfurt has reacted to tightened travel restrictions by revamping its spring 2021 trade fair calendar for Frankfurt.

Messe Frankfurt has already organised 13 large trade fairs at various locations in China since the crisis began. Unfortunately, however, it is not possible to hold such events in Germany at present. This is in spite of the fact that exhibition halls are amongst the safest enclosed buildings in which people can spend time without being subjected to an increased risk of infection. The halls can be continuously resupplied with fresh air, and in conjunction with the measures included in our extensive hygiene concept, people could safely do business in person here on the Frankfurt exhibition grounds.”

The online only version of ISH 2021 will include exhibitor presentations (products, information, videos, contact persons, chat functions and one-to-one video calls), intelligent matchmaking that delivers suitable business partners for AI-supported lead generation, live streams and on-demand broadcasts of the supporting programme, and appointments for online meetings with exhibitors.

Further information about ISH: www.ish.messefrankfurt.com.

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GROHE’s Icon 3D shortlisted for FX Awards


GROHE has announced that its ground-breaking tap innovation for the bathroom, Icon 3D, has been shortlisted for Product of the Year 2020 in the FX Awards. Heralded as a desirable accolade within the architect and design community, the prestigious FX Awards invite both British and international design talent from all over the world to shine a spotlight on the very best interior products and projects worldwide. This year, in light of Covid-19 restrictions, the FX International Awards will replace its annual ceremony with a digital presentation on Wednesday 25th November, when the winners will be announced.

Raj Mistry, Marketing Director for GROHE UK comments: “With ICON 3D, we have achieved a truly remarkable piece of product design using a new and innovative manufacturing process rarely seen in the industry. The FX Awards is a coveted ceremony and a respected voice in the design industry that is known for celebrating the best of the best. To be shortlisted for an award is therefore always a great honour.”

Paul Flowers, Chief Design Officer LIXIL also responsible for the GROHE brand said: “With GROHE Icon 3D, we are entering the future of product design as we are now able to create designs that at first appear impossible. By embracing the still-emerging technology of 3D metal-printing, we are pushing the boundaries of design and truly shaping the future of water.”

With ultra-thin structures and hollow interiors being key features in what is the first 3D metalprinted taps by a leading European sanitaryware brand, GROHE explores how visual illusion and spectacle could influence the changing landscape of sanitaryware design in the future. Icon 3D has been created to start new conversations and ways of thinking when it comes to bathroom product design. GROHE’s vision to refine the design to its bare minimum also helps cut back as much as 50% of precious material resources whilst providing a new, unprecedented experience with water and tap design.

The components for GROHE Icon 3D are produced by printing metal, using a powder bed laser melting process, a material unique to GROHE, developed by its R&D team. Consisting of more than 4,000 applied layers of powder are each only a few micrometres thick, the form of each tap is formidably strong. Following the printing, each component is mechanically treated on a CNC milling machine, followed by a manual grinding and fine brushing procedure.

www.grohe.co.uk

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Iconic Awards 2020 win for Hewi Dispenser System

Iconic Awards 2020 Hewi dispenser systems

The Iconic Awards 2020 from the “German Design Council” is regarded as an independent, international seal of quality for contemporary developments and design achievements. Every year, the jury awards prizes to designers, planners, project developers and companies that stand out for their pioneering achievements – including HEWI.

According to Hewi, the dispenser system sets new standards in design and functionality.The system was awarded this year’s Iconic  Award 2020 in the “Product” category.

In an interview, Ann-Sophie Bergmann, the team leader of Hewi’s product management team reveals what they believe makes HEWI’s innovation so unique.

HEWI Team Leader Product Management Ann-Sophie Bergmann supervised the project

LISA MEYER-FLOREN: Ms Bergmann, what is special about the new HEWI dispenser systems and what distinguishes them from current models?

ANN-SOPHIE BERGMANN: The System 900 dispenser products offer a wide range of options which optimally match the HEWI System 900 and thus enable the design of the sanitary room from a single source. In addition, the range offers many variants so that there is the right solution for every requirement. There is a choice of models with powder coating in black, grey tones and white as well as stainless steel variants. Of course, the design is particularly noteworthy, with its reduced design language and unique surfaces. Especially our high-quality powder coating in combination with stainless steel elements make the products unique.

LISA MEYER-FLOREN: The new dispenser systems hit the nerve of the times. How do HEWI dispenser systems support hygiene in sanitary rooms and where can they be used?

ANN-SOPHIE BERGMANN: The HEWI dispenser systems can be used in all areas – from hotels to stadiums. The dispensers are characterised by their robustness and are therefore perfectly suited for use in heavily frequented sanitary rooms.  The majority of the dispensers are not only available as manually operated variants but also as a  Sensoric version.

From soap and disinfectant dispensers, paper towel dispensers and waste bins through to hygiene combinations in various sizes, HEWI offers a consistent, functional range. Thanks to their straight lines, the products also create a particularly easy-to-clean surface. A new addition is the disinfectant dispenser column, which is intended to  ensure additional hygiene in public areas , particularly in the current situation but also in future. A free-standing column has the advantage that it can be repositioned without having to be mounted on the wall.

LISA MEYER-FLOREN: What does the Iconic Awards 2020 mean to  you?

ANN-SOPHIE BERGMANN:  In my opinion the Iconic Award is a special recognition of the design performance and innovation of the new dispenser systems. At HEWI, design is always at the centre of product development and we also have the claim of incorporating innovative solutions in our new products. The award of the Iconic  Award now shows that our efforts have paid off and that we have brought an architecturally and creatively excellent product onto the market.

LISA MEYER-FLOREN: Thank you very much for the interview.

The Jury 2020

An independent and expert jury decides on theawarding of the Iconic Awards. It is made up of representatives from the fields of architecture, interior design, design and brand communication.

  • Michal Casertano, Atelier Brückner GmbH, Stuttgart
  • Asif Khan, Asif Khan Ltd, London
  • Silvia Olp, aed e.V., Association for the Promotion of Architecture, Engineering & Design, Stuttgart
  • Dr. Werner Sobek, Werner Sobek  AG
  • Linda Stannieder, CXO Huawei Research&Development, Berlin
  • Song Zhaoqing, Lacime Architects, Shanghai
  • Lutz Dietzold, German Design Council , Frankfurt am Main

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Kaldewei steel enamel selected for eco-building

Leading Austrian Architecturalfirm uses natural materials for a family home. Surrounded by wine terraces, they created a bathing experience with fabulous panoramic view.

Sustainability meets design in Austria’s Winzendorf-Muthmannsdorf municipality: Surrounded by grapevines and set on a sloping plot of around 1,600 square metres, is a detached house in harmony with nature. The distinctive and nature-loving architecture is in evidence outside, in the form of the charred larch cladding used on the façade. Sustainable building methods are demonstrated throughout the light-filled, open-plan house all the way through to the bathroom: This is where, in keeping with the overall eco-friendly concept; architect Oliver Steinbauer, owner of the firm STEINBAUER architektur+design, in Vienna’s Neustadt, installed a Kaldewei Conoduo bathtub, made from sustainable steel enamel. Thanks to its natural raw materials, steel enamel is 100 % recyclable and exceptionally long-lasting. A home as a stylishly designed sustainable building The lower levels inside the new-build family home are dominated by sandblasted concrete ceilings, steel, exposed screed and large windows. The private rooms feature white Corian, naturally oiled oak and discreet east-facing light slits. All of the built-in furnishings have been crafted from brushed wild oak, these are combined with individual pieces made of Engelsberg marble from the nearby quarry. The wine-cellar is another design highlight, sunk deep into the earth for optimum temperature control.

“Because the plot is a vineyard that has been family-owned for generations, creating a building that was timeless and in harmony with nature was paramount right from the start,” says architect Oliver Steinbauer.

The client wanted elegance and eco-friendliness everywhere, including the bathroom The bathroom is located on a mezzanine floor. At its heart is the sunken Conoduo bathtub from Kaldewei which has a framed view towards the Engelsberg mountain to the northwest. Here too, the focus on eco-friendly building methods is evident from the material used for the bathtub. The Conoduo is made of Kaldewei steel enamel, an exquisite symbiosis of steel and glass. Steel enamel is manufactured by Kaldewei from natural raw materials. At the end of its useful life it can be fully recycled. The glazed surface of the bathtub is extremely robust, hygienic and easy to clean. Kaldewei backs up its exceptional longevity with a 30-year guarantee.

“The steel enamel bathtub goes perfectly with the open but varied spatial layout and the property’s reduced natural materiality,” says Oliver Steinbauer.

Kal;dewei Steel Enamel Conoduo

The design of the bathtub fits seamlessly into this home. Conoduo’s hallmarks are its minimalist design and timeless elegance – rounded off by a flat waste outlet and a discreet overflow, both enamelled in the same colour as the bathtub. This allows the bathtub, in keeping with the property overall, to meet the highest standards of design and aesthetic. The home’s owners can thus enjoy a relaxing bath while feeling that they are sitting in the middle of a wine terrace. This superbly soothing setting make this the perfect spot for them to savour a fine wine
made from their own grapes.

Thanks to the natural building method and the choice of materials, the house is integrated perfectly into its wine-terrace surroundings.

At night-time too, with the right lighting the open-plan design of this detached house can be discerned in the living area.

Kaldewei’s Conoduo bathtub is ideal for sustainably-designed building projects. It is made of long-lasting steel enamel and is 100 per cent recyclable.

In keeping with the property as a whole, the bathtub meets the highest standards of design and aesthetic. Its hallmarks are minimalist design and timeless elegance – rounded off by a flat waste outlet and a discreet overflow, both enamelled in the same colour as the bathtub.

Kladewei Steel enamel Conoduo bathtub
Kaldewei’s Conoduo bathtub

A relaxing bath surrounded by wine slopes: this superbly soothing setting makes this the perfect spot to savour a fine wine made from one’s own grapes.

www.kaldewei.co.uk

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BiKBBI confirm continued sponsorship support

The British Institute of Kitchen, Bedroom & Bathroom Installation (BiKBBI) is delighted to confirm that it will be continuing its sponsorship of Charlton Athletic Women’s Football Club for the 2020/21 season, which will coincide with the launch of a new digital strategy for the Women’s Championship side.

BiKBBI’s sponsorship of Charlton Athletic Women begun in 2018 and despite the challenges faced by many businesses this year, the government sanctioned organisation is keen to maintain its support for both the club and women’s football in general.

Speaking on behalf of the organisation, CEO Damian Walters said: “The continued synergy between the male dominated sport and vocational careers remain apparent. Both the world of football and home improvement / construction would benefit enormously from a more gender balanced representation.”

Damian added: “Now is not the time to withdraw support. In fact, this is the time to get behind it more than ever. Charlton Athletic Women need local businesses and supporters to get behind this club and to support its reach into the community and thousands of children. Girls should be encouraged to play football and with our partnership they’ll also be made aware of the opportunities that exist within the home improvement industry – including the Fitted Interiors Apprenticeship we champion.”

Charlton Athletic Women’s General Manager Steve Adamson commented by saying: “BiKBBI’s continued sponsorship of Charlton Athletic Women’s Football Club is very much applauded. Football has a real job to readjust post-COVID and it is this type of support that helps us to survive. But we need more support and we invite other businesses to follow suit and get involved.”

Part of BiKBBI’s sponsorship with Charlton Women’s Football Club will be to launch a new digital strategy to include a brand new mobile responsive website, that will form a home for the wider digital plan and to further reach out into the community. Further details for this will be announced soon. Charlton Athletic Women are looking for sponsors and partners to help support them throughout the 2020/21 season and beyond. If you are interested, especially in being part of the new website launch, please email Commercial@CAWFC.com.

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BMA joins FIESTA Skills Partnership

BMA Tom Reynolds Go certified and go green

The Bathroom Manufacturers Association has joined the Furniture and Interiors Education, Skills and Training Alliance (FIESTA). The partnership body enables businesses of all shapes and sizes from across the different sectors that make up the interiors industry to stand united to address education and training issues.  

The BMA’s Chief Executive, Tom Reynolds, will join the FIESTA executive alongside representatives from several other key trade associations and charities. BMA’s members will now be able to use FIESTA’s Skills Plus Approved Training Agency (ATA) – a service to assist with the management of apprenticeships. This service can also support companies, including SMEs, to take advantage of Government’s Kickstart initiative. 

Gary Baker, Chair of FIESTA said:   “FIESTA is about putting skills at the top of the agenda and helping the whole UK Furniture and Interiors industry recruit and retain the best talent on offer; we are therefore absolutely delighted to welcome into FIESTA the ‘voice of the bathroom industry’ in Tom Reynolds and his proactive team at the Bathroom Manufacturers Association.”

Tom Reynolds, Chief Executive of the BMA said:   “People and skills are key to the long-term sustainability of the bathroom sector. Kickstart can help introduce a new generation to bathroom manufacturing roles and FIESTA’s skills plus service can help BMA members access that scheme. I’m looking forward to working with Gary and the team on the many other aspects of the skills agenda.” 

Tom
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Fusion v8 from 2020 offers brand new features

Fusion v8 2020

2020 today announced the new release of their leading kitchen and bathroom design software, 2020 Fusion v8. This latest version delivers a diverse collection of new features and functions all intended to improve the daily working experience of 2020 Fusion designers.

Enhancements to Background Management have been implemented, including the addition of an import preview, image rotation, support of ‘panorama’ photos and more flexible brightness controls, all via a new panel added to the toolbar.

2020 Fusion v8 also includes a 360° Panorama ‘Gallery’, in which links to any previously published panoramas from the specific design are stored, allowing the user to quickly and easily relaunch the panorama, or to copy the URL for inclusion in an independently sent email. Users are now also able to choose the email recipients at the point of configuration.

A design preview has been added to the ‘Recent’ section that makes it faster and easier to recognise and
reopen existing designs.

The Info Block configuration tool now includes a live preview showing the results of any modifications
made before having to confirm them, making it quicker and easier for users to configure the Info Block in
confidence.

Several time-saving enhancements have been implemented in the areas of dimensioning and annotation.
These include the ability to apply manual dimension rails from one parallel line to another, to generate
multiple arrows from a single piece of manual annotation and the ability to configure default dimensioning
settings for virtual walls.

“2020 always aims to bring the most advanced, cutting edge applications to our customers, giving them
every advantage in efficiency, productivity and quality,” says 2020 Fusion Product Manager Jim Smalley.
“Many of the enhancements in this release directly result from feedback received from 2020 customers,
underlining the fact that their voices play an important role in the ongoing development of the 2020 Fusion
software.”

Deployment of Version 8 will commence shortly for all supported 2020 Fusion customers and will
continue throughout the next couple of months.

For more information, visit: www.2020spaces.com

More news from 2020

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SBID Product Design Awards 2020 shortlist BETTE

Bette has been shortlisted in the SBID (Society of British and International Interior Design) Product Design Awards 2020.

The company’s new freestanding, circular, glazed titanium-steel bath, the BettePond Silhouette, has been shortlisted in the ‘Sanitaryware’ category.

Considered one of the most prestigious accolades in interior design, success in SBID’s awards programme is achieved purely for design, innovation and functionality of the entries, with finalists demonstrating the highest standards of design excellence for interior products.

Each entry undergoes a two-tier judging process, with leading industry professionals evaluating the entries, followed by a public vote, that makes up 30% of the results. Bette’s BettePond Silhouette was shortlisted by this year’s jury for both its technical standards and creative delivery. 

Bette is now encouraging votes in the final stage at www.sbidawards.com with voting closing on Wednesday 30th September at 5pm.

You can find out more and vote here: https://bit.ly/3bywOug

The winning entry in each category will be announced on Friday 23rd October.

For further information on Bette products www.my-bette.com/en

Bette baths Sleep Event

About Bette

Bette is a specialist in bathroom products that are made of a special metal in a unique manufacturing process: titanium steel sheets are shaped under high pressure and then finished with a thin coating that is related to glass – hence the name “glazed titanium steel”. This composite material is perfect for the bathroom (it is skin-friendly, hygienic, durable and robust), and Bette uses it to make its baths, shower areas, shower trays and washbasins.

The Bette family company was founded in Delbrück in North-Rhine Westphalia in 1952, and specialises exclusively in this manufacturing process, because it allows the products to be shaped smoothly with the maximum skilled precision. The manufacturing and administrative headquarters employs around 385 people. The CEO, Thilo C. Pahl, is a member of the owner family.

The range includes baths, shower areas, shower trays, washbasins and bathroom furniture, all made in Germany. Unique items that can be made in various colours and dimensions and open up inspiring interior design ideas for the bathroom. Bette’s assembly processes combine high-tech industrial production techniques with tailor-made manufacturing where it benefits the customer. More than half its products are customised to customer preferences. The company offers over 600 different baths, shower trays and washbasin models in a tremendous range of colours.

The natural raw materials glass, water and steel are used to manufacture high-quality products that are completely recyclable. They are verified to the Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) as per ISO 14025 and to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design).

www.my-bette.com/en

About SBID (Society of British and International Interior Design)

The Society of British and International Interior Design (SBID) is a professional accrediting body for the Interior Design industry across the UK, Europe and around the world. Supporting professional trading standards of Interior Designers, Architects and manufacturers, SBID are committed to guiding and measuring the profession through practice, competence and education; setting standards for the industry at large to develop future growth.

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