eco-cistem™ has been awarded Global Winner in the ‘Contract Product of the Year’ category at the prestigious Society of British Interior Designers (SBID) International Design Awards 2025. The award recognises design excellence, evaluated by judges from leading businesses in the fields of design, property, and hospitality.
The award event was held at the Royal Lancaster in London on the 24th October, and Paul Crossley, Managing Director for eco-cistem, was in attendance to receive the award.
“We have been blown away by the attention our toilet cistern is getting at many award events this year, and the established SBID awards are particularly special. At a time when everyone is aware of the need to save water, and that it will undoubtedly increase in price over the next few years, I think eco-cistem is resonating with many in the construction industry. We may be in the early stages of our journey as a business, but the product is already making large-scale water savings, and we are forecasting substantial growth for this sustainable product innovation.”
eco-cistem is a concealed toilet cistern that can be installed with any brand of toilet. It has been designed to prioritise using condensate water from neighbouring air conditioning units to flush toilets. Even the smallest 1.75 kW air conditioning unit produces around 1 litre of condensate water each hour, which is normally piped directly into the waste. In an eco-cistem installation, this condensate is piped into the top chamber of the toilet cistern and is used to flush the toilet. Mains water is only used if there is not enough condensate to flush the toilet, so there is never a reduction in performance.
Paul continues, “Whilst the eco-cistem can be retrofitted in both domestic homes and commercial premises, our initial focus is on hotel refurbishments for which it is particularly suited. Our completed contracts are monitored and show an average of 64% mains water savings. The product gives free flushing water, so it is probably the most conscientious guest upgrade a hotel could offer.”
From guest bathrooms to city apartments and family bathrooms through to individually designed rooms that make their own statement, the Duravit bathroom furniture collection offers maximum design freedom and high-quality craftsmanship. With an extensive range of materials, finishes, and formats, Duravit offers solutions that work in a variety of decor styles and spatial situations.
Whether it’s premium wood decor, elegant marble look, glossy varnish, or structural glass: The wide selection of high-quality furniture finishes work in perfect combination with their bathroom sinks and mirrors, maintaining their beauty and durability even under high levels of humidity and heavy daily use.
Longevity and comfort with reliability
When choosing bathroom furniture, you expect more than just a pretty design. It’s about everyday practicality, comfort, and confidence in the selection of materials. Furniture from Duravit stands out with well-thought-out details: Doors and drawers are tested with up to 80,000 opening cycles, which corresponds to about 43 years of daily use.
Duravit sets the standard for sustainability in production; our furniture is 100 per cent PEFC*-certified and manufactured in the Black Forest. That means that the wood they use only comes from responsibly managed forests.
Compact and functional: Design that creates space
You don’t need to compromise on style, even in small spaces. Bathroom furniture for compact bathrooms unites sophisticated functionality with high-quality design and is ideal for city apartments, guest bathrooms, or narrow floor plans. Intelligent storage space solutions, narrow proportions, and clever details, such as full pull-outs or wall-mounted elements, will allow you to get the most out of every last inch. The coordinated combinations of furniture, bathroom sinks, and mirrors create a cohesive overall look that will make the room appear larger than it really is.
Made for every day: Family bathrooms with style and substance
For daily family use, a bathroom needs to withstand quite a bit, and Duravit furniture is made precisely for this. Vanity cabinets, tall and medium-height cabinets, and mirror cabinets provide generous storage space for all your daily necessities. The robust materials, resistant finishes, and durable fittings that they use allow them to reliably withstand even the heaviest of use. Doors and drawers will still function flawlessly even after years of use. Whilst the design remains clean and timeless – a functional family bathroom should also be aesthetically pleasing.
Make a statement: Bathroom furniture for individuals
Many rooms need to be more than just functional; you want them to show your personality. Duravit statement pieces are perfect for people who want to design their bathroom with intention, placing value on shapes, materials, and details. Distinctive fronts, exceptional finishes, and generous furniture with a clear presence create specific accents and will transform your sink area into a personal statement. The design here remains timeless because true Individuality does not follow short-lived trends, but rather a clear approach.
Utopia opened the doors at its Wolverhampton headquarters earlier this month for an exclusive preview event for its new HeyU Collection, described by the company as its most ambitious and versatile modular collection to date, and other new product innovations.
Centred around four distinct and irresistibly tactile design styles in 14 colourways, HeyU is designed to be touched, and visitors did exactly that as they toured the company’s extensive showroom viewing the latest new products.
On display alongside the new lifestyle room settings featuring HeyU were other product developments, including two exciting new finishes for the Lustre Collection. Rift Black and Sandy Ecru greatly extend the design potential of this luxurious glass fronted range, now available in 18 different finish and handle trim combinations.
The showroom, which houses over 60 inspirational displays, showcases Utopia’s entire collection and retailers are most welcome to visit it with their customers by appointment.
Following the four-day event, Helen Clark, head of marketing at Utopia, said, “We were delighted to host this exclusive preview event to unveil our new Autumn Collection. The response from our customers was overwhelmingly positive, reaffirming our belief that HeyU brings something truly special to the marketplace, together with the other exciting new products we’re proud to offer.”
Hyatt Hotels Corporation and La Compañía Hotels & Resorts, today announced the grand opening of Elysium Spa & Wellness House – a 22,000 sq. ft. wellness sanctuary at Hotel La Compañía del Valle set inside the crater of an extinct volcano in Panama’s El Valle de Antón. Inspired by Roman bathhouses and the region’s dramatic volcanic landscape, the spa combines natural materials, sensory design, and local craftsmanship to create a restorative environment deeply rooted in its setting.
Design Concept
Elysium’s interiors feature volcanic stone, carved marble, raw timber, and oxidised metals – materials that mirror the surrounding terrain. Arched passageways and vaulted ceilings introduce light and scale, while soft cove lighting and flickering sconces evoke the atmosphere of an ancient ritual space. Every detail, from the scent of eucalyptus to the hand-laid mosaic tiles, reinforces a connection to nature and the region’s raw beauty.
Key Features
Thermal Pools & Hammam-Inspired Steam Rooms: Reflecting the area’s geothermal character, these spaces invite guests into a rhythm of purification and renewal.
Signature Treatments: The spa menu highlights local ingredients such as cacao, pomegranate, and bamboo, featuring experiences like Wine Therapy, Cacao Experience Wrap, and the Lavender Ritual.
Sensory & Thermal Rooms: Facilities include a Himalayan salt room, aromatherapy steam room, mud therapy room, and the Sensory Deprivation Pool, the spa’s centrepiece of stillness and calm.
Wellness Experience
Elysium’s treatment philosophy draws on the elemental balance of earth, water, wind, and metal. Guests can choose from tailored massages – Swedish, deep tissue, prenatal, and sports – alongside restorative wraps and facials that channel the natural potency of Panama’s highland flora.
Integration with Hotel Design
Surrounded by the peaks of La India Dormida, El Gaital, and Las Tres Marías, Hotel La Compañía del Valle complements the spa’s ethos with Tuscan-inspired architecture and a sculpture park of over 200 works in marble, steel, granite, and bronze. Together, the hotel and spa form a seamless dialogue between art, nature, and wellbeing.
Conclusion
With Elysium Spa & Wellness House, Hyatt and La Compañía Hotels & Resorts have realised a tranquil, sensory-led space that redefines wellness through design. By drawing on the materials, energy, and spirit of its volcanic setting, it offers guests a transformative connection to Panama’s highland landscape.
When a historic Derbyshire almshouse charity needed a faster, safer way to modernise its bathrooms, Kinedo’s Kinemagic walk-in shower cubicle from Saniflo provided the perfect solution.
The Etwall Almshouses, founded in the 1500s by Sir John Port, are managed by a charitable trust that provides homes for residents aged over 50. To minimise disruption during refurbishments, the trustees wanted a shower solution that could be installed quickly and safely, with grab rails and a seat included as standard, but they wanted one that was also aesthetically pleasing.
Working with local plumbers’ merchant Willbond and installer Etta Plumbing, the trust selected the Kinemagic Serenity. Thanks to its striking design, integrated tray, glass panels and door system, Kinemagic delivers a watertight, low-maintenance showering solution with no need for tiles, grout or silicone, making it ideal for rapid installations with minimal mess.
The first installation was completed in just one day with support from Saniflo’s technical team. A second, smaller model followed soon after.
Trustee Graham Wale said: “Our tenants love the Kinemagic units and they save us valuable time during refurbishments – it’s a win-win.”
VitrA has unveiled two new product ranges – the S2 furniture range and the Minimax tap range. The S20 furniture and ceramics washbasin range is designed to optimise space and storage in compact or family bathrooms. Complementing this, the new Minimax range of taps reimagines classic silhouettes in a variety of finishes with refined proportions, ergonomic levers and water efficiency.
The versatile S20 furniture range emphasises thoughtful details, such as soft-close drawers, tactile finishes, and durable materials, to create bathrooms that feel both personal and purposeful. The accessible priced range is available in square or round forms, creating either a striking architectural statement or a softer, more organic look and feel.
Featuring slimmer, smarter taps, the Minimax range has been updated with refined proportions, a wider selection of contemporary finishes, and round and square options. The taps combine efficient water use with ergonomic controls and deliver a steady five litres per minute with a hidden aerator.
With a bold palette of durable, scratch-resistant finishes – Chrome, Matt Black, Brushed Copper, Brushed Gold, and Brushed Nickel – the Minimax range transforms everyday fixtures into design statements. This choice of warm metallics and sleek matt tones ensures a stylish look can be achieved without compromising on performance, sustainability or investment.
Prices for the S20 furniture range start from £265 for the 45cm square washbasin unit, and prices for the Minimax taps start from £135.
National bathroom, tile and paint retailer Fired Earth has been placed into administration, with Dane O’Hara and Alex Cadwallader of Leonard Curtis in London appointed as joint administrators on October 31, 2025.
Located in Oxfordshire, Fired Earth sells luxury, high-end interior design products and design services specialising in tiles. It operated 20 showrooms across the UK, with a further 22 independent stockists selling Fired Earth products and employed 133 people.
The Joint Administrators can confirm that negotiations are ongoing on a sale of the business assets to an undisclosed third party via an accelerated M & A (AMA) process, but that did not include staff, and regrettably, all 133 employees will be made redundant.
EVOLVE is assisting staff affected by redundancy and advisers on the Employment Rights Act who have been instructed to help with employee claims.
O’ Hara commented: “Fired Earth has been loss-making for some time. In the last three years the company has been supported by its shareholder via substantial working capital loans, while efforts were made to return the business to profitability.
“Unfortunately, the company has continued to incur trading losses, and its investor was not prepared to provide further funding to the business in the absence of a viable turnaround strategy.”
Leonard Curtis was approached in late September 2025 to undertake an initial review of the business and explore potential options. Unfortunately, the business was incapable of being restructured in its current form and the decision was made to seek a buyer.
Dane said: “We had multiple offers on an asset-only basis, but we have not received a proceedable offer that preserves any of the locations or staff as a consequence.”
As a result, all the company’s stores are being closed, except the head office and warehouse premises in Banbury, which will remain open for a period to fulfil outstanding customer orders.
Leonard Curtis will continue trading the business in Administration in a limited capacity and fulfilling customer orders from inventory, pending completion of an asset-only sale.
Customers with outstanding orders will be contacted shortly by representatives of the Fired Earth team.
Ideal Standard, part of the Villeroy & Boch Group, has renewed Roberto Palomba’s role as chief design officer. Palomba and his Milan-based studio, Palomba Serafini Associati, have been working with Ideal Standard since 2018.
Renowned for his human-centred approach, Palomba draws on the brand’s rich heritage while responding to the evolving demands of modern life. His design ethos centres on creating enduring products that seamlessly blend form and function, delivering lasting value and timeless relevance.
Speaking about his continued partnership with the brand, Roberto Palomba explains: “I embrace this opportunity because it allows me to focus on what matters most to me: good design. I’ve always believed that design should be a right, not a luxury. My goal is to create high-quality objects that are accessible to a broad audience – a philosophy deeply ingrained in Ideal Standard’s history and culture. That’s why I’m here.”
Ideal Standard has a distinguished legacy of collaboration with visionary designers such as Achille Castiglioni, who created the Linda and Aquatonda series; Paolo Tilche, designer of the iconic Conca basin; and Gae Aulenti and Mario Bellini, whose work across architecture and industrial design has left a lasting mark on modern design culture. Palomba’s leadership builds on this heritage while simultaneously pushing the boundaries of bathroom design for a new era.
“Building on Ideal Standard’s strong design heritage, our objective is to establish the brand globally as the leading name for approachable contemporary design,” said Sven Ullrich, executive vice president marketing, R&D and product management at Villeroy & Boch.
“We have ambitious plans for the future and a clear vision of where we want to take the brand. Roberto Palomba’s creative leadership and deep understanding of the bathroom space have been key in shaping Ideal Standard’s distinctive identity — and will continue to play an important role in driving its growth and success.”
Among Palomba’s latest creations, La Dolce Vita® – part of the award-winning Atelier Collections – perfectly captures his distinctive design philosophy. Drawing inspiration from the iconic Zeta basin of the 1950s, he reinterprets its tapered silhouette as a contemporary signature, combining timeless aesthetics with Italian flair and intelligent functionality.
The i.life collection – with its latest addition, i.life O – demonstrates how smart, versatile solutions can adapt to every lifestyle.
Under Palomba’s continued creative leadership, Ideal Standard is reaffirming its position as a defining design voice in the bathroom sector, delivering relevant, human-centred solutions for modern living.
Features by Diane Larner, founder and editor of Bathroom Review & Kitchens Review. Diane Larner launched both titles over 15 years ago and has been writing about the bathroom and kitchen interior design industries ever since, publishing regular features across both sectors.
According to Greenmatch, approximately 39% of UK households embraced home technology in 2024. Furthermore, the UK smart home market reached a staggering £3.1 billion in 2025, a 7% increase from 2023. As expected, water and energy conservation are leading the march, but consumers are also in the midst of a love affair with technology that enhances convenience and efficiency.
For house builders, developers and the design community, the smart money is on smart technology. Incorporating cutting-edge smart-home features into new builds can significantly boost property value. Homeowners, too, are reaping rewards – studies show a potential increase in property value of up to 5%*, a noteworthy margin in the highly competitive UK real estate market.
In this feature, Diane Larner examines the latest products to reach the market – from intelligent WC’s and showers to next-gen lighting and mirror solutions.
Connect & reflect
Sensio Luka Smart Mirror
The integration of smart bathroom technology is a game-changer for architects and designers, as it requires the creation of spaces that are seamlessly connected, enhancing functionality and elevating the overall user experience. As today’s consumers continue to embrace the ‘Age of Alexa’, smart-enabled devices have become an integral part of everyday life. Put simply, the way we interact with our homes has undergone a transformation in recent years.
Karl Hallam, head of marketing at Sensio Lighting, explains, “Home automation is nothing new. It’s been around for almost 10 years now. What has changed is our behaviour and attitude towards smart-enabled homes.
“Smart technology and devices are far more mainstream. At Sensio Lighting, we’ve seen a demand shift in recent years, with our smart-enabled products almost doubling in sales. Lighting is no longer just on/off, with users now expecting to change between task and ambience lighting with simple voice command or home automation. This industry shift is exciting to be a part of, especially in an innovative, design-led business.”
The Luka Smart Mirror is more than just a mirror; it serves as a hands-free portal to a connected world. This mirror seamlessly integrates Amazon’s Alexa into your bathroom routine, with integrated LED lighting and touch-sensitive controls. The Luka Smart Mirror is also available as a bathroom cabinet and is designed in the UK, sold exclusively from Sensio.
The smart choice
Duravit SensoWash
Smart toilets are truly making their mark in the world of bathroom innovation and intelligent technology. The once-humble loo is now a frontrunner in bathroom technology, offering an array of features that deliver wellness and accessibility – think heated seats, bidet functions, self-cleaning capabilities, night lights, and even app integration.
On top of all that luxury, many smart toilets are designed with sustainability in mind. From an environmental perspective, they help conserve water thanks to adjustable flush settings and water-efficient systems. It’s a win-win for both comfort and the environment.
Martin Carroll, managing director, Duravit UK, agrees, “Smart toilets are redefining bathroom design – combining hygiene, sustainability, and tech-driven comfort. With features like touchless operation, personalised wash settings, and minimal water use, they offer a more efficient, eco-conscious alternative to traditional fixtures. Integrated dryers and rimless flushing enhance cleanliness, while app connectivity and user profiles bring a new level of convenience.
“Once a luxury, they’re now a smart lifestyle choice – meeting rising demand for wellness, design innovation, and connected living in residential and hospitality spaces.”
The Duravit SensoWash® range can be controlled via an app on your mobile. Engineered for comfort and connectivity, it offers intuitive features that elevate everyday routines from user-ID recognition to activate personalised wash settings (Rearwash, Ladywash, Comfortwash) to programmable seat heating.
Look on the light side
ZUMA LED Lights with speakers
Installing ambient lighting in the bathroom space helps promote a sense of well-being, whilst delivering a touch of luxury. The latest tech-driven innovations are designed to seamlessly blend aesthetics and functionality, delivering an immersive experience alongside sophisticated illumination.
Zuma manufactures LED lights with integrated premium speakers that can be installed flush into your ceiling. The Zuma app includes ambient lighting controls with intensity and colour options. Zuma also lets users tune into their circadian rhythm with an added light feature that tracks the sun throughout the day. The system also streams music, podcasts, and audiobooks, and it has an IP65 rating to ensure safety in the bathroom.
Perfect persona
Aqualisa Quartz Shower Range
The UK bathroom industry accounts for a significant share of domestic water use, with bathrooms alone estimated to use 30-40% of a household’s total water use. Recent innovations in smart shower technology allow homeowners to monitor and calculate their water usage, providing an opportunity for developers to incorporate these technologies into new builds. And, the latest personalisation features mean users can create individual profiles for each family member, adding safety and convenience at the touch of a button.
Nigel Palmer, head of communications marketing at Aqualisa, comments, “The smart home is now part of everyday life, yet many people don’t realise how quickly this technology is transforming the bathroom. Smart showers are bringing precision, personalisation and sustainability together, offering greater control over water use and energy consumption. With features like app connectivity, voice activation and usage monitoring, smart bathrooms are enhancing comfort and convenience while supporting more efficient, environmentally responsible living. It’s an exciting evolution for both homeowners and the industry.”
Aqualisa’s latest smart showers deliver precision, personalisation and safety. The industry-leading Quartz range is simpler than ever to use, featuring an updated app that lets each household member create an individual shower profile. It can be voice-activated via Alexa or Google Assistant, or operated using a remote control, ensuring water is always at the desired temperature and flow rate.
END
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Specialist UK-based wall panel manufacturer, Grant Westfield, has announced its membership of Timber Development UK (TDUK), the UK’s largest and most comprehensive trade association for the timber supply chain.
This milestone reflects Grant Westfield’s commitment to sustainability, regulatory compliance, and responsible timber sourcing, strengthening its role in shaping the future of sustainable design and manufacturing.
As a TDUK member, Grant Westfield gains access to the organisation’s extensive knowledge base, technical resources, and industry networks, ensuring the company remains at the forefront of innovation and best practice. The partnership also supports the wider timber industry’s transition towards more sustainable approaches.
Grant Westfield has already been actively participating in TDUK initiatives, including the monthly EUDR preparation meetings, which help businesses prepare for forthcoming European timber regulations, and the recent Women in Timber event, reflecting the company’s wider commitment to inclusivity and future talent development.
“I have seen real value of our engagement with TDUK. Attending the monthly EUDR preparation meetings has provided us with practical insights and guidance to ensure we are ready for new regulatory requirements, while also giving us the opportunity to share experiences and learn from others across the industry. I was also pleased to attend the Women in Timber event, which highlighted the importance of diversity and collaboration in driving the sector forward.
For us, joining TDUK is not just about compliance — it’s about strengthening our role in building a more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient future for the bathroom and kitchen industry, and for the timber sector as a whole,” says Marina Scerbakova, Quality Manager, Grant Westfield.ounded from the merger of the Timber Trade Federation and the Timber Research and Development Association, TDUK brings together the entire timber supply chain from sawmills to specifiers, to promote sustainable timber use, technical excellence, and industry collaboration.
Through this membership, Grant Westfield continues to align its business practices with the highest industry standards, supporting both its customers and the broader transition to a more sustainable built environment.
