The Unified Water Label Association is to host a European virtual conference, Water Matters, to explore how the bathroom industry can work together to better inform customers about using water efficiently. The event takes place on Tuesday 13 April at 1pm BST (2pm CES), and will be free to access.
The event includes a panel discussion with representatives from four different companies operating in Europe and two industry speakers from global home furnishing brand Ikea and German DIY retailer Globus.
UWLA MD Yvonne Orgill said, “The time is right to bring together different sectors of our industry to discuss how they are communicating the benefits of using innovative water efficient products, for the benefit of the planet. There is a renewed awareness amongst governments and consumers that climate change should be taken seriously, and with the Unified Water Label gaining ground across Europe, there is much to be gained from sharing experiences.
“We are excited to bring this event on-line, offering the opportunity for more people to join us, encouraging everyone to do a little so that together we can achieve a lot.”
Roca has introduced a new range of innovative touchless products to deliver hygienesolutions.
Specifiers can select from basin mixers that activate automatically when they detect a user to electronic flush plates with movement sensors and mirrors with lights that are switched on with a simple gesture.
Offering an extra layer of hygiene and safety within the bathroom, infrared sensors allow users to activate the water flow in taps, flush the WC or control the mirror light without the need for contact, avoiding the spread of viruses and growth of bacteria.
Touchless dual flush valve
Promising zero contact and maximum hygiene, the touchless dual flush valve reduces the need to touch flush buttons. With a minimalistic design, the EM1 valve can be simply retrofitted to upgrade an existing push button to an automatic toilet flush button, making it quick and easy to install with minimal effort. There is no electric connection needed and it is powered by 4 AA batteries (not included) that guarantee more than 40,000 flushes. It is also easy to use – with just a simple wave of the hand, the EM1 recognises the required flush (full or half flush volumes) and with the sleek sensor push button, you can flush your WC in an easy and hygienic way.
Electronic basin mixers
Roca’s range of electronic basin mixers, including the Loft-E range, feature an infrared sensor that 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 in the home. Easy to install, the electronic mixers are available in a battery or mains operated system which means they can be installed in any bathroom, regardless of the availability of a power outlet in the area of usage.
Touchless mirrors with LED lights
Mirrors with integrated touchless technology, such as the Prisma Comfort model, allow users to activate functions such as the ambient light or the demister device through movement, which means less direct contact from hands, allowing the glass to remain clean and clear.
Electronic operating plates for toilets
Roca’s EP-1 and EP-2 electronic operating plates make it possible to activate the toilet flush without touching it. With a stylish, contemporary design and very easy installation, they are automatically activated when moving a hand in front of them, ensuring maximum hygiene and avoiding any contact.
The backlit surface is divided into two stripes which are alternatively activated depending on the type of flush (partial or full. They can be set off by simply bringing the hand closer or by choosing the automatic option in which the toilet is instantly cleaned when the user approaches, or when a specific time has passed after its use.
Roca’s Touchless solutions are suitable for both domestic and commercial use, providing an extra layer of safety within every type of bathroom.
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increasing need for hygienic washroom and bathroom solutions. Inclusively designed products with built-in antibacterial properties and touch-free design are now part of the essential war-chest for public and commercial spaces.
A single cough can produce up to 3,000 droplets which can remain on metal, glass or plastic surfaces for up to nine days. A study by Imperial College Londonshowed that viral DNA left on a hospital bed rail in an isolation room had spread within ten hours to 18 other surfaces.
For hospitals, washrooms, hospitality venues and the home, we can expect to see a combination of touch-free solutions and antibacterial coated products become commonplace. Even with the vaccine in place, we will still need to control the spread with an inventory of defensive measures to combat the virus and its mutations.
Reducing touch-points
David Bromell, Head of Marketing, Roca agrees “There is a growing demand for zero contact bathroom solutions which have become a more pressing consumer priority as a result of the pandemic. Roca has introduced a new range of innovative touchless products to deliver the ultimate in hygiene.”
From basin mixers that activate automatically when they detect a user, to electronic flush plates with movement sensors, and mirrors with lights that are switched on with a simple gesture – Roca offers a range of touchless solutions which provide an extra layer of hygiene and safety within the bathroom. Infrared sensors allow users to activate the water flow in taps, flush the WC or control the mirror light without the need for contact, avoiding the spread of viruses and growth of bacteria.”
Sensor technology
HiB’s in house product team has also focussed on incorporating sensor technology into the design of mirrors, cabinets, furniture and accessories in order to revolutionise the way we interact with our bathrooms.
Wave sensors and sensor activation assist in reducing the spread of potential viruses and bacteria from shared surfaces. The new Dusk cabinet from HiB features a touchless wave sensor to activate the cabinet’s top light.
Viral-guards & bacteria elimination
Hand in hand with touch-free solutions, eliminating the growth of bacteria on surfaces is also an essential part of the armoury for Covid-safe design. especially when you consider people touch their faces at least 23 times an hour.
VitrA’s ranges are designed to guard against virus and bacteria build-up and incorporate special finishes on ceramic ware and tiles. These built-in antibacterial properties – such as VitrA Shield – help maintain hygiene levels for all environments, whether domestic or commercial.
Hygiene stations
A number of easy-to-access hand-sanitisers – especially touch-free versions – not only help create a safer environment, they also give the customer peace of mind.
Stephen Maley, HEWI’s UK Sales Director comments “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 their facility. “
Flush-to-floor shower trays leave no place for germs to hide, in addition, Bette uses glazed titanium-steel for all its baths, shower floors and basins. The BetteFloor flush-to-floor shower areas come in a large range of sizes and colours and offer ease of use and durability.
As Bette tell us “The material chosen plays a huge part in determining how quickly and effectively debris from tooth-brushing and washing in basins, and from washing in baths and showers, can be removed. Materials that can become scratched can harbour dirt and bacteria, as can tiled shower areas, so there is likely to be more demand for scratch-proof, non-porous and easy to clean materials, such as glazed titanium-steel.”
Whatever the project, a future-proof, holistic approach for germ-elimination – whether designing for healthcare, hospitality or residential – will be key as we continue to fight the war on germs.
If you know of other products in this arena that the Bathroom Review community should know about, then contact the editorial team, we’d love to hear from you.
The iconic duka shower enclosures feature a striking matte black finish and are metropolitan in mood.
The matte black profiles distinctly enhance the glass and, together with other matching details such as the hinges, handles and supports, give shape and presence to the shower enclosure. This style can be seen on duka’s acqua 5000, acqua R 5000, gallery 3000, libero 3000 and libero 5000 enclosures.
The libero 3000 enclosure also includes geometric silk-screen printing on the glass reminiscent of wrought iron frames typical of industrial spaces, creating a striking effect that adds character to the room and makes the shower enclosure a statement piece.
libero 3000 is available with a six-square or eight-square grid. The support of the glass wall is fixed to the side profile that closes the grid continuously, for a precise and visually clean result.
duka enclosures are available with 6 or 8 mm thick safety glass and can be adapted to any space or environment. Each shower enclosure is made to order, hand finished and supported by the best technologies. The design and attention to detail of each model are combined with the essential criteria of innovation, practicality, safety, high quality and customization.
Virtual Worlds has recruited seven new team members for its modelling and cataloguing teams in order to get products on to the system faster. Retailers are also being encouraged to report any issues they find.
The improved process adds a newly developed ‘rule-based’ quality control system to deliver a faster turnaround before the catalogue is released in beta format, resulting in quicker access to new products for Virtual Worlds users.
Retailers can opt-in to the Beta catalogues program simply by updating their download settings and are being asked to report any issues Virtual Worlds can address them before the full catalogue release, improving the service overall for all Virtual Worlds customers.
“We are aware of how important it is to have the latest manufacturer products available within Virtual Worlds,” comments Managing Director Nathan Maclean. “We have been working on ways to get updates to our customers more quickly, including investing in staff infrastructure, to make the process faster. Once we are happy that the catalogue process is robust, the beta program will be shut down and transitioned as our new standard in releasing better quality catalogues within a shorter timeframe.”
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
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
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.”
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.
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
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 Cleancoating 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.
Example of standard WC Rim
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
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.
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.
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.
