At its meeting on June 29, 2020 the Supervisory Board of Duravit AG appointed Stephan Patrick Tahy (54) as the new CEO of Duravit AG with effect from July, 1 2020. Mr. Tahy succeeds Prof. Frank Richter, who will leave the company on June 30, 2020.
Mr. Tahy is a former CEO of De’Longhi GmbH Germany and before that he was Vice President and General Manager at Mattel Inc. The father of two was born in Heidelberg, where he studied mathematics, and he holds an MBA from the University of Mannheim.
Stephan Tahy said, “I am pleased at the confidence that has been placed in me to drive the fantastic work of this innovative company forward and to be working with all Duravit employees to shape our common future.”
Gregor Greinert, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Duravit AG, said, “We are delighted with the appointment of Stephan Tahy, who is a dedicated, high-caliber successor to Prof. Frank Richter, and who will continue to advance Duravit’s highly successful development. We are really looking forward to working with him. We would like to thank Frank Richter for his outstanding contribution over many successful years.”
According to the study “Patient safety – what matters for patients”, the risk of infection with multi-resistant germs is the greatest concern of patients in hospitals.
HEWI has developed products with an antimicrobial effect especially for areas with the highest hygiene requirements. The products offer effective protection against bacterial contamination. Microsilver is used, which has a broad effectiveness against bacteria and fungi. This releases silver ions which inhibit the growth of bacteria and other undesirable germs and thus minimise the risk of infection for humans.
Within 24 hours, a continuous reduction of undesirable germs on the surface of the products takes place, so that 99.9% of germs are reduced within this period. The integrated antimicrobial protection of HEWI active+ effectively supports hygiene. The microsilver is evenly incorporated into the polyamide during production. The additive is thus firmly attached to the product and is therefore insensitive to UV light and cleaning processes.
Due to the porous surface of the microsilver, the material used has an excellent depot effect which has a permanent, reliable effect after incorporation into the polyamide. HEWI active+ does not burden the environment or the human organism. The active ingredient is ECO CERT certified and suitable for use in skin care products.
The Bathroom Manufacturers Association (BMA) has welcomed a letter from Ministers to local councils, calling for more public toilets to be opened. The trade body also warns that a lack of facilities could be a brake on the country’s economic recovery.
In their letter Simon Clarke MP, Minister for Local Government and Rebecca Pow MP, Minister for the Environment emphasise the need for access to public conveniences now more than ever. “Public hygiene is of the upmost importance, especially during the coronavirus pandemic, and enabling residents to access toilets safely is vital. Handwashing is an important activity to help prevent the spread of the virus.”
The Ministers also highlight the difficulties that a lack of facilities can cause. “Closed toilets may also impact disproportionately on certain groups who for health reasons rely on access to public toilets to be able to leave their homes. They can also make life difficult for young families and people who work outside.”
Tom Reynolds, Chief Executive of the BMA welcomed the intervention. “I’m pleased to see Mr Clarke and Ms Pow recognise that importance of public toilets as a vital part of our infrastructure. At the moment there is a shortage of public toilets and handwashing facilities, so it is time for Local and National Government to consider investing in provision. Any other course of action could prevent people from going back town centres or leisure venues, creating a brake on the national recovery.”
From the terrace, your gaze sweeps across the mountainside vineyards, olive groves and lemon trees, across the “lower town” of Naples to Vesuvius, the harbour and the Gulf of Naples as far as the island of Capri. In the midst of this unique landscape, on Vormero Hill, Giovanni and Janine have turned their dream home into reality. They bought a ruined 14th century monastery, completely restored it and fitted it out with a stylish mix of modern and a timeless design. For the bathroom and guest WC, the couple chose Kaldewei’s steel enamel bathroom solutions that connect the historical and modern in a very unique way.
Even as a teenager, Giovanni knew that one day he wanted to live with his family, right beside his parents’ home on Vormero Hill. Vormero is the 13th district of Naples and is known as the “upper town”. The houses stand on a green hill and can only be reached by cable car and, in part, only via steep stairs. This is where Giovanni grew up, and this area is still home to three generations of his family. “La famiglia” was also the reason why, after studying and working abroad, he returned to Italy. He and his wife Janine, whom he met on a trip to Rio de Janeiro, began with renting a small house next door to his parents’ home. When the hunt for a suitable property, for his own growing family produced no results, he decided to buy a ruined monastery nearby and rebuild it as a family home.
Special challenges: preservation order and logistics
After thoroughly checking the terms of the preservation order and establishing that the monastery had indeed been used as a residential property in the past, Janine and Giovanni started turning their dream into a reality. The restoration of this ancient building presented the young couple with many challenges. The strict provisions of the preservation order, for instance, specified that the same materials used to build the monastery around 700 years ago, such as chalk and regional sandstone, also had to be used for the restoration – no cement was used at all. In addition, the hilltop location, surrounded by vineyards, called for some special logistical solutions. 150 steps had to be scaled when transporting the required building materials and products. As a result, hroughout the entire construction period of 15 months one person was solely employed to constantly drive up and down the hill with a tracked vehicle.
Giovanni gave up his job and devoted himself to managing the building site for a year. To help them implement their ideas, the couple called in the architect Antonio Gravagnuolo, who specialises in listed projects, and the German interior designer Stephan Poeppelmann. Together, they created a unique house that skilfully blends the past and the present.
Interior concept creates link between traditional and modern “We wanted to retain the character of the ruined monastery. That’s why it was particularly important for us to use traditional materials as much as possible both for the building and the internal estoration and to work with suppliers from the local region,” Janine says. The interior planning corresponded with those wishes: restrained and respectful of the ruin’s history – but at the same time incredibly brave. Talking about the concept, designer Stephan Poeppelmann says: “In keeping with the building’s past life as a monastery which was now to be restored as a home and be a part of the landscape, we didn’t remove corners and niches in existing walls, for example, but used them as spaces to integrate shelves or seating. The colours are restrained and are reminiscent of the vineyard landscape. The main colours are a delicate pastel green and warm shades of brown.” Ancient floor tiles which were salvaged, undamaged during the building work were also used in the interior design concept, as were lots of little apothecary bottles made of coloured glass, some of which have been integrated into the walls, or serve as decorative elements and vases around the house.
Kaldewei bathroom solutions: perfect match between product and room design “Today’s bathroom is a multi-purpose space with the highest standards of design. The harmonious fusion of architecture, design, functionality and perfect light produce the optimum solution in the bathroom,” says Stephan Poeppelmann, describing the design approach for the bathroom. In fitting out the spacious bathroom, the designer was inspired by the former monastery’s distinctive vaulting. “Naturally, we were impressed by Kaldewei’s natural and classical yet modern shapes. Since we had a round-arched ceiling in the bathroom, we wanted to pick up on that shape with the bath and the washbasin. That’s why we decided on the Centro countertop washbasin, whose interior echoes the rounded shape, and the Meisterstück Classic Duo Oval bath,” says Janine, explaining the decision behind their choice. With its seamless panelling, the bath, made of elegant Kaldewei steel enamel, is the classic archetype of the freestanding bath. The Centro countertop washbasin with its spacious surround designed by Anke Salomon, also exudes a sense of purity and simple elegance.
The Kaldewei trinity in the bathroom is completed with the floor-level Scona shower in a restrained Pearl Grey matt. This shower surface fits harmoniously into the colourfully tiled floor, while the round, centrally-positioned waste cover made of steel enamel also picks up on the round-arch shape. The space-saving wall-hung Cono washbasin works well in the guest WC. The characteristic design element of this rectangular washbasin is the square waste cover which is also enamelled. “With the Kaldewei steel enamel bathroom solutions we have created a Perfect Match between product and room architecture,” says Stephan Pöppelmann.
Ideal Standard has upgraded its entire range of thermostatic exposed shower valves with a slimmer, more compact body than ever before. Providing the perfect balance between style and functionality, the Ceratherm T range has been designed to complement any modern bathroom, while guaranteeing the perfect shower experience, day after day.
Developed by Ideal Standard’s in-house engineers, the Ceratherm T range features the hidden brilliance of a new, smaller thermostatic cartridge, the FirmaFlow® Therm, allowing for a streamlined appearance with no compromise on performance. The result is a slim, elegant and modern shower mixer that performs beautifully, while offering unrivalled levels of durability, safety and sustainability.
With buttons and controls that blend seamlessly into the Ceratherm T’s body, the water flow and temperature can be adjusted easily. Users can also pre-set their desired levels for optimum comfort and if pressure is lost, the cartridge rapidly shuts down the flow of hot or cold water, preventing burns and unwanted shocks.
To ensure the highest level of safety for all users, all models also feature Cool Body technology as standard. Cool Body works like a protective shield: inside the thermostat, the hot water flow is surrounded by cold running water to ensure the controls and body remain cool to the touch at all times, providing extra peace of mind.
Ceratherm T’s integrated controls also reduce water and energy wastage, with the FirmaFlow® Therm ensuring target temperatures are reached far quicker, while an eco-setting limits flow by half, without affecting performance. Thanks to the temperature being pre-set and the thermostatic mechanism keeping flow constant throughout, not even one drop of water is wasted.
Having first invented the ceramic disc cartridge more than 50 years ago, revolutionising the bathroom experience, Ideal Standard has now built on this expertise and its R&D capabilities with the introduction of the thermostatic cartridge, FirmaFlow® Therm. The integral cartridge provides unrivalled efficiency, even in high-traffic areas.
The range includes a variety of models, all offering a choice of mixer options and accessories – including Ideal Standard’s Idealrain, Evo and Evo Jet handsprays, which come with three spray modes for an invigorating, comforting or relaxing shower experience. Evo has an aerated spray mode, ensuring a softer shower experience without compromising on power, while Evo Jet features Ideal Standard’s unique Drop Jet function, creating larger, softer droplets for added luxury. And with the Navigo push button located on the handspray, switching between modes couldn’t be easier.
Ceratherm T can also form part of increasingly popular diverter mixer showers, featuring a head shower and hand shower with a moveable wall bracket for added versatility. The adjustable bracket means existing holes can be covered during installation, while the sleek form conceals fixtures for a seamless finish, making the collection perfect for renovation projects.
Ashley Smith, Brassware Product Manager at Ideal Standard, said: “With the new Ceratherm T range, we’ve been able to completely redesign the external look and feel of our showers in keeping with current bathroom trends, while applying our longstanding fittings expertise to the interior in the form of our clever FirmaFlow® Therm cartridge. Having refined our technology over decades, we’re now offering the most advanced collection yet, which not only delivers in terms of aesthetics and user experience, but is guaranteed to stand the test of time, too.”
HEWI’s modular washbasin system is fully customisable. The unique concept allows the integration of a grab rail and a modular storage system directly by the vanity unit.
The washbasin system offers safety and ensure that all bathroom utensils are always located within easy reach. HEWI’s modular washbasin system is fully customisable, easy to extend, and the additions are just as easy to remove.
Side trolley
The side trolley offers flexible storage space. It can conveniently be pushed to wherever it is needed. As a design statement, it not only looks good in the bathroom but is also a flexible storage solution for living areas. The storage shelves are generously dimensioned. The side trolley is equipped with braked castors for additional safety. The side trolley is available with a powder-coated finish in high gloss white or matt black with sophisticated chrome elements.
HEWI | Home
Feeling safe and comfortable in your own home is becoming increasingly important. Customisable solutions, precisely tailor-made to meet everyone’s individual needs, authentic materials and a timeless, reduced product design are becoming increasingly important in bathroom design and furnishing.
HEWI system solutions offer safety and additional support. Together with their outstanding design, this creates a feel-good ambience that is a unique combination of functionality, comfort and aesthetics.
Ideal Standard UK’s industry ambassador John Robinson, has been appointed President of the Bathroom Manufacturers Association. His two-year term was announced at the BMA AGM on 23rd June 2020.
John has worked for Ideal Standard UK for over 30 years, and in 2018 moved into a non-executive director role, acting as an ambassador for the company. Before that, John was the Business Director for OEM and Ireland.
The presidential role is the figurehead of the BMA, elected by the membership at large. John takes over from Alan Dodds, MD of Roca UK. In addition to chairing the organisation’s board and general council meetings, John will work closely with Tom Reynolds, the association’s CEO to oversee the smooth running of the secretariat. The President also takes part in the organisation’s advocacy work, articulating the views of the membership.
John Robinson said: “The BMA is the voice of the UK bathroom industry and at Ideal Standard we’re proud to have been members since its creation in 2001. I am looking forward to continuing my work with the BMA, taking on a more senior role. I look forward to applying my experience to further the efforts of the BMA, particularly during such a challenging year for industry.”
Tom Reynolds, BMA’s Chief Executive commented: “John is a well-known and respected figure in the bathroom industry who I’m looking forward to working closely with as President. As Vice-President, John and I have already collaborated to lobby Government on important regulatory matters, so we can hit the ground running right from the start of his term.”
The Bathroom Manufacturers Association is open to any company that manufactures bathroom products for the UK market.
RAK Ceramics has announced the launch of its new Showroom Virtual Tour, an innovative experience offering its visitors an easy and convenient showroom walk through as they browse the wide selection of tile, slabs, and sanitary ware products on display.
The virtual tour is an immersive experience that creatively showcases RAK Ceramics Corporate showroom in a 360-degree high definition view, providing full information and images of each product linked to the website. The added VR functionality also allows its visitors to have a more interactive viewing option, which is fully compatible with VR headsets like Google Cardboard or Samsung Gear VR. For a more efficient experience, the virtual tour also comes with a measurement tool that allows its visitors to virtually take measurements of the rooms and the product dimensions.
The interactive tour is now live and can be accessed here.
RAK Ceramics is one of the largest ceramics brands in the world. Specialising in ceramic and porcelain wall and floor tiles and sanitaryware, plus an extensive range of sinks and taps for the kitchen, the manufacturer produces 110 million square metres of tiles and 5 million pieces of sanitaryware per year. Headquartered in the United Arab Emirates, RAK Ceramics serves clients in more than 150 countries through its network of operational hubs.
Sleep & Eat, the hospitality design and innovation event, returned to Olympia for two days in November. The show offered designers, architects, operators and owners a unique chance to hear from the game-changers, to discover new products and expand their thinking. Over 160 design-led suppliers, manufacturers and artisans showcased their products and launched new collections. The event theme of “Social FlexAbility” explored the power of hospitality to stimulate human interaction in this age of digital isolation. Six international architectural and design firms were challenged to create concept guestrooms, a bar and a restaurant, all designed to inspire and intrigue. New for 2019, the popular socialising spot, the Sleeper Bar, was joined by a co-working space, The Hub – in response to the show theme.
For the bathroom sector, manufacturers again delivered a considered response to hospitality design with a selection of innovative new products.
Terri Pecora’s award-winning Plural Collection was on display at Sleep + Eat 2019.
Mark Gordon, Sleep & Eat
“What a fantastic two days! Once again, Sleep & Eat has proved to be where the European hospitality design community meets. Be it on our busy exhibition floor, at our late-night party and new networking events, or in our best-attended conference yet, we were delighted to see so many of the great and the good come together.
We would like to thank all our Sleep & Eat designers, visitors, exhibitors, sponsors and partners for creating such a special show this year. Also, we are of course especially grateful to our partners at Sleeper, AHEAD Awards, TopHotelProjects, Hi Design and the NEWH for their ongoing support.We can’t wait to welcome the industry back next year. We have big plans!”
Margaret Talbot VitrA, Marketing Manager
“VitrA has exhibited at Sleep & Eat for several years. This show is a great opportunity to showcase the complete VitrA portfolio of designer bathroom furniture, ceramic ware, brassware, ceramic tiles and accessories to an influential audience in one place.
The show was extremely busy and the mood upbeat despite some of the uncertainty in the market. Professionals that attend Sleep + Eat are looking for innovations and design edge with which to create stunning bathrooms for hotels and the hospitality sector.
Interest in our 2019 designer launches created in partnership with designers like Terri Pecora with Plural and Equal with Claudio Bellini was exciting to see. Both ranges feature striking design details that allow hotels to specify bathrooms of elegance and quality. Response to the new range of VitrA Origin brassware in chrome, matt black, copper and brushed nickel was also very positive. We have a complete solution for hotel bathroom design covering every element for a bathroom space.
Using water wisely is a key area of interest with buyers, not just saving water but utilising it efficiently and still delivering a luxurious experience. VitrA bathroom taps and showers incorporate aerators to help maximise water efficiency, and of course, the water-saving dual-flush WCs, offer the chance to save water without compromising the experience are always popular.
It’s clear from talking to visitors to our stand that there are compelling projects in the new build sector with refurbishment also being a key area for investment.
Because bathroom storage is an essential element of good bathroom design, RAK Ceramics has upgraded its popular RAK-Resort collection, which now features a range of contemporary furniture in a compact format that uses space economically, making the bathroom feel luxuriously spacious.
Designed to be wall-hung, the furniture is available in five unit options – in widths ranging from 450mm to 650mm plus a corner unit – and in five colours of White, Grey, Mushroom, Stone and Denim Blue. Also designed as a retro-fit item, the furniture can easily be utilised to upgrade any RAK-Resort full, half pedestal or wall-mounted washbasin.
With ample storage space within to ensure the smallest of bathrooms or cloakrooms can be kept in an orderly fashion, the unit features soft-close mechanisms as standard and has been designed for combining with RAK-Resort ceramics for complete co-ordination.
