Leading bath maker BC Designs has launched the first of a series of new baths, providing more choice when it comes to specifying and designing bathrooms.
The Gio bath is a minimalist and contemporary egg-shaped bath. The bath’s ergonomic curves provide bathers with the ultimate in relaxation and adds a visual rhythm that infuses a more relaxed, softer feel to a bathroom.
Designed by Barrie Cutchie, the bath is masterful with its rimless design which affords a generous bathing area to help customers enjoy a comfortable soak.
Made from Cian, a solid piece of material made from naturally occurring materials and resin that means the Gio remains warm to touch and retains heat during bathing. The bath is also highly durable, stain and scratch resistant.
Available in polished white, matt white and eight colours as part of the ColourKast range. The Gio bath has been launched with a matching countertop basin as well.
Geo Bath dimensions 1645mm in length / 160 litre bathing area
Berkeley Place has renovated a basement duplex apartment situated on a prime residential street in Clifton. During the basement renovation, an amazing piece of history was found. On the wall, handwritten, is a record of the 2nd World War air raids on Bristol.
Between 24 Nov 1940 and 11 April 1941, there were six major bombing raids on the city. Due to the presence of the Bristol Harbour and The Bristol Aeroplane Co, the city was a target for bombing and was easily found as enemy bombers were able to trace a course up the River Avon from Avonmouth. Bristol was the fifth most heavily bombed British city of WWII. The basement has been converted into a basement snug bedroom and bathroom. To create the snug, there was a full basement renovation, repair, and repointing of the flagstone. The bedroom was cleverly subdivided to maximise the use of space and provide two separate sleeping spaces. The historical basement was given a new lease of life to make it more liveable.
The Grade II listed a full renovation of the front terrace, living room, hallway, kitchen, utility, dining, bedroom and a master ensuite with a crittal terrace. The project’s vibe is bringing the old into the new and cleverly designing the small space to feel larger. Creating a larger amount of space in the home was a challenge, but it was overcome with clever storage. The whole home has a new warmth with new timber and underfloor heating. To mix old with new, a variety of suppliers were used, such as Howdens, Farrow & Ball (colours India Yellow (modern emulsion), Wimborne White (estate eggshell), and Hardwick white (estate eggshell). The tiling came from Mandarin stone, wallpaper is Harlequin Salon Wallpaper and the crittal supplied by Fabco.
A new kitchen was installed with quartz worktops, a Chelford navy customised kitchen, Quooker classic fusion square patinated brass hot taps and parquet flooring. In the dining room and hallway new glazed metal framed door and window as installed. In the kitchen and living room, a full-height wall bookshelf was installed. The stairs were installed with curved timber handrail to the outer wall and cleaned sandstone basement flooring and staircase.
The new S 900 Q design variant from HEWI complements the classic System 900 for accessible bathrooms.S 900 Q accessories are versatile additions offering towel rails, toilet roll holders, toilet brush units, and other products. As is characteristic of HEWI, all components have been developed with the greatest care and thoughtful consideration down to the last detail. They are also designed to combine with each other.
Striking spatial presence
Whilst the System 900 accessories are based on a round or cylindrical basic shape, the S 900 Q design variant is characterised by a reduced square design. The clearly defined radii and proportions, together with the high-quality stainless steel, chrome, and powder-coated surfaces in timeless, matt white, black, and grey, create a consistently uniform and harmonious overall appearance with a pronounced spatial presence. Inserts made of high-quality satin-finished crystal glass set an exciting contrast in their circular design and create a feeling of transparency and lightness.
“Geometric shapes determine our world – and every shape has a meaning.For HEWI, the square, in particular, has a special significance: This is because it symbolises stability and strength. It also has a strong architectural connection. It is precisely these aspects that the expert for accessible sanitary solutions wants to convey with its new S 900 Q, the new design variant of the System 900 accessible architectural system.
“With S 900 Q, HEWI complements the System 900 accessory portfolio, which embodies a distinct architectural claim in its purism, linearity, and lightness and is used in hotels and private living areas.” Comments HEWI’s UK Sales Director Stephen Maley.
The aim behind Earth Day has always been to reduce the consumption of plastic across the globe. This relates not only to bottles and packaging but to larger items too.
Bathrooms and the products we use in them are some of the worst offenders, from toothpaste tubes to bathtubs; we need to look at ways of reducing our consumption in this area.
Earth Day focuses on plastic reduction, and Kaldewei supports its ethos all year round not only by using sustainable raw materials but has a long-standing relationship with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), sponsoring and working with the WWF’s ocean conservation programme specifically in the Mekong Delta in Vietnam to reduce the amount of plastic in the world’s oceans.
For over 100 years, Kaldewei has been manufacturing their 100% recyclable steel enamel sanitaryware. However, how do you ensure the products you want to use when designing a bathroom are sustainable? Do you look at the specific product – what is it made from, is it recyclable, and is it long-lasting? Or do you look at the project as a whole, asking questions such as is the bathroom in a passive house, an eco or green home, is it an extension or refurbishment? However big or small the project, you want the assurance that the result will be visually appealing and will not cause untold damage to the planet.
Sustainability has become something of a buzzword, but if you are truly looking for a sustainable bathroom, then it’s crucial that you or your designer don’t rely solely on established brands but actively seek out more information and demand independent certification from reliable third-party sources.
This is especially important as sustainable practices are not one-size-fits-all; whilst many will engage in sustainable initiatives, most brands offer a comprehensive range of different products. Not all will be made using the same production method or even in the same country.
However, today, everything is measurable, and there are ways you can reduce the carbon footprint of your project, such as avoiding air travel for you and the products you are sourcing, using water-saving technology and sustainable, recyclable products as part of the intrinsic design.
An EPD (Environmental Product Declaration) is a valuable tool when making decisions, as it is a standardised, independently verified report that provides transparent and reliable information on the environmental impacts of a product throughout its life cycle. More companies need to provide these as it will go a long way towards increasing sustainability and, in the long term, the circularity of products and projects.
Sustainability has been part of Kaldewei’s ethos for years, and they are continually looking at ways to improve; since 2021, they have been able to use both CO2-free blue mint Steel from ThyssenKrupp and CO2-neutral XCarb Green Steel from ArcelorMittal in its production. In addition to this they work with designers and on projects that share their green principles too. Their most recent launch was the OYO DUO bathtub, designed by Stefan Diez. Not only is it crafted using recycled steel, it has been designed to contain less water, which is also beneficial to the planet.
It’s not just the big manufacturing changes that they have made, the small changes count too, from heating and water consumption to website and packaging.
Packaging
Packaging is an important aspect of sustainability. It is needed to protect the product but not damage the planet, and there are several ways of using environmentally friendly products whilst reducing the amount of packaging material needed through intelligent design and the use of recyclable wooden pallets and cardboard instead of Styrofoam.
Whatever your age, standing safely in the bathtub or shower is important; Invisible Grip is the new super anti-slip surface finish from Kaldewei. It works on the glossiest of their steel enamel surfaces, and the feeling when your skin meets the shining, plastic-free Kaldewei surface is pleasant. The grip does not diminish when using soap, shower gel, shampoo or simply when there is contact with water as the invisible micro-structuring of the enamel continues to provide a particularly strong grip underfoot.
Glamour and safety in the bathroom
LGA Bautechnik confirms the anti-slip properties according to quality class C for wet barefoot areas according to DIN EN 16165. This is particularly relevant for the planning of barrier-free bathrooms.
Even when dry, the Invisible Grip finish does not alter the brilliant gleam of the Kaldewei steel enamel surface and is available in Alpine White for shower areas and bathtubs. This means it provides safety and introduces a touch of modern glamour to the bathroom. The micro structure can be cleaned just as easily as a normal enamel surface. An explanatory video can be seen at https://www.kaldewei.de/produkte/invisible-grip/, which demonstrates how the new surface treatment works.
“With Invisible Grip, Kaldewei offers an innovative solution for the modern bathroom that increases the feeling of safety without compromising on the visual appearance, feeling underfoot and hygiene. Carefree showering and bathing with aesthetic aspirations become everyday normality”, says Yvonne Piu, head of global marketing at Kaldewei.
Like all the products in the Luxstainability®World from Kaldewei, Invisible Grip stands for uncompromising safety and trust combined with a highly aesthetic surface finish. Invisible Grip demonstrates Kaldewei’s special innovative competence, for which the premium manufacturer has been awarded the seal of the Bescheinigungsstelle Forschungszulage (BSFZ) (Certification body for research grants).
Even when using soap, shower gel and shampoo or simply when there is contact with water, the invisible microstructuring of the enamel provides a particularly strong grip.
Tested standing safety: LGA Bautechnik confirms the anti-slip properties according to quality class C for wet barefoot areas according to DIN EN 16165
Inspired by marble and working in harmony with other nature-inspired materials in the kitchen and bathroom, Luna Bianco is the latest addition to the CRL Quartz Marble Collection from CRL Stone.
With its super-honed finish, the surface is a cool grey and white, ideal for keeping things fresh and bright in the modern kitchen, with cloud-like swirls and soft grey veining, adding warmth and character. With all the enduring and durable qualities CRL Quartz offers, this extremely versatile design can be paired with a multitude of colour palettes and textural design elements. Luna Bianco can be chosen in 20mm and 30mm thicknesses and is supplied in a 3300 x 1650 mm slab format for greater design consistency over large areas such as kitchen worktops.
Keeping the surface looking its very best over time is simple too, thanks to the functional qualities of CRL Quartz. The material is scratch, heat and stain resistant and unlike natural materials such as marble, CRL Quartz never needs to be sealed. Requiring minimum maintenance to keep it looking as good as new, the non-porous surface makes cleaning simple, with soap and water or a mild detergent is all that is needed. Prices are from £400 to £650 per square metre.
Wanda Group, the British underfloor heating expert, has expanded its headquarters in Caldicot, Wales, as a strategic move to kickstart a series of new business developments scheduled for 2024.
Nestled conveniently off the M4 corridor, the headquarters is situated just 30 minutes from Bristol and under an hour’s drive from Cardiff. The expansion encompasses a host of exciting additions and investments that will reinforce Wunda Group’s commitment to innovation, the local community, and sustainable British manufacturing.
Wunda’s new state-of-the-art demonstration centre, featuring an underfloor heating space equivalent to the footprint of four average homes, has been unveiled as the highlight of this move. This innovative space will serve as a year-round showcase for Wunda’s cutting-edge systems, building on the success of the Wunda Demonstration Centre unveiled in early 2023.
This new demonstration centre aims to demystify underfloor heating installation, emphasising the cost, energy, and time-saving benefits of Wunda’s Rapid Response® and WundaSmart systems. It will also seek to educate customers on the accessibility of underfloor heating as a DIY product. Four demonstration tables take the customer through the underfloor heating journey from delivery to an installed product and a member of staff will be on hand to answer questions ranging from what floor finishes are compatible to installation specifics as well as the kind of savings homeowners can expect to see.
All products are designed and developed by Wunda’s internal R&D team and with a strong emphasis on “British Made” Wunda Group’s manufacturing capabilities have also undergone significant expansion.
Tom Edmunds, general manager at Wunda Group, shared his insights on the expansion:
“Our core mission has always been to revolutionise the way that we heat our homes. The energy and cost of living crisis have accelerated the need to look at real, tangible ways to reduce bills in the short, mid, and longer term. Our recent expansion is the start of a major new chapter in our growth and investment story. The demonstration centre will allow us to have a year-round showcase of the systems our R&D team so passionately develops; enabling us to share our fantastic products with potential customers and tradespeople alike.”
The expansion also includes a move to larger office facilities, where the whole team will now operate from one location. Designed to foster collaboration, creativity, and efficiency within the growing Wunda team and streamline operations as production increases. To support staff in their transition to the new location, Wunda is providing transportation from the old office space to the new location.
Retailers can maximise sales of RAK Ceramics design-led bathroom taps with new display units to enhance their point of sale. Making effective use of floor space the displays can be used to showcase a varied range of taps available from the leading manufacturer in an eye-catching way.
An enhancement to inspiring bathroom room sets within the showroom environment, the tap display units will feature up to 29 taps, giving retailers the opportunity to show off a large range of the full collection of brassware available in the RAK Ceramics portfolio, at a glance.
The displays include many of the best-selling taps, from the sophisticated RAK-Amalfi basin mixer in matt black and RAK-Ischia in brushed nickel, to the contemporary RAK-Petit Square and Round basin mixers and the classically elegant RAK-Washington tap, all in chrome.
The new range of FLUTED GLASS ‘ICONIX’ WETROOMS from Bathrooms to Love is now available in a striking BRUSHED BRASS finish, providing gorgeous golden tones thanks to its profiles and support arms.
From Bathrooms to Love’s top-of-the-range RefleXion Iconix Enclosures collection, the new brushed brass fluted wetroom panels combine soft glass fluting with luxurious 8mm toughened safety glass. The panels are manufactured using high quality crystal-clear glass, meaning no green tint – often seen on wetroom panels – giving the fluted glass screens an extra crisp contemporary edge.
The high specification theme continues with an ‘Easy Clean’ coating applied to the glass, meaning practical low maintenance and longevity, as well as concealed fixings throughout the profiles and arms, adding to wetroom’s sleek lines and flawless finish. Panels can be installed directly onto a prepared wetroom floor or on a tray, and come in a choice of four widths; 800mm, 900mm, 1000mm and 1200mm.
The fluted glass panels also boast a generous height of 1950mm and optional side panels are available in two widths (800mm and 900mm) making the range particularly versatile.
Showering Product Manager for Bathrooms to Love, Tanna Molyneux, said: “The use of textured or ribbed glass in bathroom design is increasing steadily, creating the perfect balance between visibility and privacy. Our new soft fluted wetroom glass panels add a touch of elegance and visual interest to the showering zone, cleverly diffusing the light to create interesting silhouettes and patterns.
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“Warm golden accents from both the brushed brass profiles and other brushed brass metallic finishes in the bathroom – such as the brassware, shower, radiator, lighting and cabinet handles (as illustrated) – create a stunning coordinated look.”
The new Iconix fluted glass wetroom screens are also available in two other metallic finishes – matt black or chrome.
Available from stock and supported with Next Day Delivery (to 93% of UK postcodes), including the opportunity to deliver to store or home, the new Brushed Brass Fluted Glass Wetroom Panels from Bathrooms to Love are now available to order via PJH’s class-leading Partners Portal™ e-commerce website.
The British Institute of Kitchen, Bedroom and Bathroom Installation has reported Hansgrohe is its latest KBB brand to become a corporate sponsor of the institute. The bathroom and kitchen company pledged its support to help work on building a sustainable workforce and improving education, standards and compliance in the KBB installation sector.
With its brands AXOR and Hansgrohe, the Hansgrohe Group is a family business founded in the Black Forest, Germany, in 1901. It is known for its long-lasting, high-quality products and for how seriously it takes its responsibility towards people and the environment. The 120-year history of the company is marked by innovations, such as the first hand-held shower with multiple spray types, the first pull-out kitchen mixer tap, and the first wall bar to hold a hand-held shower. In 1990, the Hansgrohe Group founded the UK subsidiary, which currently employs around 90 staff in the office and in the field, and recently invested more than £5m into its UK business.
Julie McLean, marketing director for Hansgrohe UK said: “The UK KBB installation sector is vital to manufacturers like us. That’s why so many of our product innovations are linked to benefits for installers – from our spare parts guarantee to ‘fit and forget’ designs that help ensure a quality finish and longevity for their customers. We are therefore delighted to support BiKBBI in its important work championing installers, retailers and the KBB industry, and the significant contribution they play in the wider economy.”
BiKBBI CEO, Damian Walters said ‘2023 was an extremely active year for the institute as we continued our work education, standards, compliance and sustainability – all of which are fundamental to the future of the installation community that serves the KBB sector. It is vital that we collaborate with the wider industry, so to start 2024 by welcoming Hansgrohe, a much-respected business and brand, on board as a corporate sponsor is a real highlight for our organisation. It is also a significant step in our quest to garner support from more manufacturers, suppliers, distributors and retailers, all of whom are reliant on installation at some point in the cycle, as we work towards closing the communications gap, improving the skills shortage and ultimately building a sustainable workforce.
‘We are thrilled to have Hansgrohe supporting the work that we are doing to drive positive change in the KBB installation sector and very much look forward to working with the team and supporting them as they embark on an exciting phase within their business.’
