Shower designer and manufacturer Roman Ltd has announced the transformation of its Head Design Centre. Following a series of minor updates over the past two decades, the showroom has undergone a comprehensive refurbishment, showcasing various new features and advancements.
Providing a comprehensive overview of the company’s shower solutions, the redesign highlights Roman’s expertise in solid surface moulding and fabrication and integrated furniture capabilities. Roman is displaying its upgraded and relaunched Solid Surface Anti-Slip Gel Coat Shower Trays and Infinity Slate Trays. Over 40 display bays clearly highlight all aspects of Roman’s manufacturing capabilities.
This makeover signifies a milestone for Roman, demonstrating their dedication to creating inspiring spaces that reflect the latest in sustainable bathroom design. The upgraded Design Centre serves as a hub for industry professionals, architects, and design enthusiasts, offering a first-hand experience of Roman’s unparalleled craftsmanship.
David Osborne, chief executive officer, commented: “We are excited to share our latest transformations. The Roman team looks forward to engaging in conversations within the retail, design and project sector, welcoming both old friends and many new faces.”
Severe droughts in the Catalonia region of Spain have led to the government declaring a state of emergency. New measures introduced in response to the worst drought on record in the area include a ban on residents washing their cars and filling up empty swimming pools.
Yvonne Orgill MD at UWLA says, “This is a disastrous situation so early in the year, and makes our water efficiency message absolutely critical, not just for Spain but for the UK and Europe.
“After the exceptionally hot summers last year, people are going to be fearful of another year of hardship. The local emergency restrictions in Catalonia such as a sharp reduction in the use of water for crop farming and industry, alongside the capping of water supplies per inhabitant per day, will impact everyone on a daily basis.
“These type of measures are only going to become more frequent unless people begin to take seriously the dangers of warming our planet, recognising that it is not something that will happen in the future but is here and now, affecting every region in the world.
“The need to use water wisely becomes more important every year, which is why the UWLA is committed to raising awareness of the Unified Water Label, and the benefits it can bring for water efficiency in the home.
“The Unified Water Label is a smart tool that provides a means to identify water using products with a common label that offers clear, concise and easy to understand messaging about water and energy usage.
“The bathroom industry is taking action, working in partnership with us to bring about change. In the UK we have support from across all sectors, manufacturers, retailers, installers and government bodies.
“Innovative products developed to use less water and energy, without any loss of performance, are displaying the Unified Water Label, and making it easier for consumers to make environmentally friendly choices.
“The Unified Water Label Association is dedicated to driving home the water efficiency message, encouraging everyone in the supply chain to support us by highlighting the label and the products that carry it, to ensure more of these products are used in the home.
“Those interested in supporting the UWLA or joining us to embrace a cleaner, greener bathroom revolution can find out more by visiting the website www.uwla.eu.”
Leading bathroom supplier HiB has embarked on the next phase of its ESG journey by forging a strategic partnership with Futureproof, a renowned sustainability platform. This collaboration marks HiB’s commitment to furthering its sustainable initiatives and making a lasting and positive impact on the environment and society.
James Skirrow, sustainability expert at Futureproof, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership. He said: “HiB joined Futureproof, having already built a strong foundation within sustainability. Over 2024 and beyond, we are incredibly excited to see HiB excel further in this space. Emma and the team are focused on baking all things ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) directly into the core business functions – a fantastic sign for me of a company that is not only prioritising this work but highlighting that HiB will be leading from the front with their actions.
“HiB will be taking a holistic approach, from analysing its supply chain and continuing to learn more about the emissions as a company to its overall governance and how it works with its employees. Nothing is off the table for this exciting evolution in HiB’s sustainability journey.”
The partnership between HiB and Futureproof demonstrates the company’s efforts to integrate sustainability seamlessly into the core of HiB’s business practices. The collaborative initiative aims to analyse and enhance the entire supply chain, delve into emission reduction strategies and ensure governance that aligns with the highest ethical standards.
Emma Cuggy, HiB people and ESG director, emphasised HiB’s dedication to improving its ESG credentials. She said: “A part of HiB’s mission is to make a substantial difference to the lives of our people, partners, and the world we live in. Because of this, ESG is high on our priorities and having Futureproof as our Sustainability Partner will allow us to make meaningful change and measure our success so that we can work towards our vision in the years to come.”
As the partnership between HiB and Futureproof takes shape, the bathroom supplier looks forward to championing sustainability and making a lasting impact on the industry, the environment and the wider community.
Due Linee Architettura, a design studio based in Turin, was responsible for the total renovation project of a mid-twentieth-century villa located in the centre of a town in the province of Cuneo. The aim was to offer the clients, a young and large family, warm and comfortable spaces that were at the same time functional, modern and elegant.
The intervention involved all floors of the building. It led to a complete restyling of the property both from a planimetric point of view, thanks to targeted structural interventions to redistribute the rooms, and stylistically, starting from the external parts, affected by a redesigned colour of the facade which gave “a new look” to the house.
The ground floor was entirely dedicated as a family-friendly space: the living room overlooks a large and bright central kitchen and dining area. Hidden behind a pocket door is the service space and the reception bathroom.
This floor has access to the basement, which is useful for socialising. The bedrooms are located on the second floor and in the attic. The bedrooms feature a walk-in closet and a private bathroom.
The interiors are enhanced by custom-made furniture and the use of floral wallpaper, which creates a delicate and harmonious atmosphere. As well as the taps, chosen for both bathroom environments: the Pois series by Ritmonio, with simple and elegant lines.
The Pois series is a versatile collection which lends itself well to different configurations of use: from wall-mounted or free-standing washbasins, bidets, bathtubs and showers. Thanks to its perfect proportions, this Made in Ritmonio look made the bathrooms even more welcoming.
The minimalist and contemporary design gracefully matches the surrounding style, enhancing the beauty of the detail and giving a touch of impeccable refinement. Proportionate and harmonious shapes guarantee the family a quality user experience.
Due Linee Architettura – Biography
Due Linee Architettura is formed by Manuela Graziano, Giulia Mazza, Celeste Moiso and Graziana Pirrotta, a professional reality born in 206 under the will of colleagues, but above all, friends. Four complementary but very distinct personalities, three architects and a structural engineer, formed through paths that are at times common and at times parallel. When forming the studio, the aim from the very beginning was to form a multidisciplinary team in order to dedicate itself to the project in all its forms: from architectural to structural design, from interior design to municipal practices, aware that the synergy of various aspects that characterize living are the right key to an innovative and person-friendly project.
BATHROOMS2GO, the new ‘ready to go’ affordable bathroom collection from leading distributor PJH, has launched the RefleXion Classix Easy Fit Enclosure range designed for quick and easy installation.
BATHROOMS2GO, the new ‘ready to go’ affordable bathroom collection from leading distributor PJH, has launched the RefleXion Classix Easy Fit Enclosure range designed for quick and easy installation.
Perfect for installers looking to save time and money, the Easy Fit range includes both Two-Door Quadrant and Sliding Door models and is manufactured to the highest standards in quality and design – with a Lifetime guarantee to prove it.
Featuring 6mm toughened safety glass, the stylish Classix Easy Fit enclosures boast a highly durable design with ultra-smooth sliding doors and a practical quick-release roller mechanism for ease of cleaning.
As shown in this short video (B2GO Easy Fit Enclosure) from PJH, step-by-step instructions guide the installer through how to build the enclosure panels, including demonstrations on how quick it is to glide the locator blocks in place; how to securely hold the profiles in place using the simple and efficient latches; and how to easily clip the rollers on to the doors.
Both Easy Fit Enclosure ranges include cushioned magnetic soft-close seals for a strong seal, polished silver profiles, sleek concealed fixings with cover caps and Easy Clean glass treatment. With a height of 1850mm and a range of widths available, including optional Classix side panels, both enclosure types are also available in special pack deals, including low profile 45mm trays and 90mm fast flow wastes for the ultimate convenience.
PJH’s BATHROOMS2GO portfolio is a complete collection of popular bathroom products ready ‘2GO’ as soon as required, due to always being in stock and available via PJH’s industry leading next day delivery service. The concise and easy-to-shop on-trend collection is brimming with highly competitive pricing and deals, making it perfect for trade counters and bathroom showrooms. Backed by PJH’s outstanding customer service support, products such as the new RefleXion Classix Easy Fit Enclosures can be ordered easily online using the PJH Partners Portal e-commerce website.
For further information on the new Easy Fit Enclosures from PJH’s BATHROOMS2GO collection, contact PJH on Tel: 0800 8 77 88 99, email sales@pjh.uk or visit www.partners.pjh.uk.
Waters Baths of Ashbourne unveils its new Essence collection of compact contemporary stone freestanding baths and heralds the arrival of indulgent luxury bathing for the smaller room.
Mirroring the contemporary curves and smooth scoops of their full-sized counterparts in the Elements Collection, all four models in Waters Baths’ Essence collection promise the same high levels of luxury, comfort, and quality synonymous with this Great British brand but in a more absolute, pared down and measured form.
Lee Frost, director of Waters Baths of Ashbourne, comments, “Knowing that space in UK bathrooms has been and will continue to be an issue, we wanted our retailers and bathroom designers to have the opportunity and potential to deliver the maximum of luxury within a limited space to meet their customers’ demands. While it would once have been unthinkable to add a freestanding bath to a smaller room, we’ve worked hard to create a variety of more compact designs that embody luxury and comfort; their quiet luxury speaking volumes when creating a statement in a more bijou-sized bathroom.”
Echoing the Element Collections’ silhouettes, the Escape, Aurora, Mist2 and Azure follow similar ergonomic lines as their larger counterparts; their beauty distilled to a concentrated form.
Available in both a matt or gloss finish, the Essence Collection is crafted from incredibly tactile and warm-to-the-touch silken stone composite; combining the practical and ecological benefits of keeping the water warmer for longer and negating the need to top up with hot during a leisurely soak.
This intelligent reimagination of luxury bathing broadens the potential and scope of possibilities for their growing network of hand-picked 400 independent retailers to help their customers bring blissful ritual to daily routine.
The new Essence Collection is available from 1 February 2024.
ARCHITECT@WORK has announced the upcoming London edition (20 – 21 March 2024), showcasing more than 200 curated product innovations.
With each offering rigorously vetted by a dedicated team of architects, this event presents an opportunity for the London architecture and design community to stay abreast of the latest developments. Renowned internationally as the premier showcase for the architectural trade, attendees (register now) can immerse themselves in the cutting-edge innovations set to debut at the show.
Please see below some of the innovations that will be presented at ARCHITECT@WORK London 2024:
MATKI | EAUZONE ARCH WET ROOM PANEL
Pictured top – the ingenious dual-function over-head shower brace not only keeps the panel secure, it also seamlessly delivers water to the centrally mounted deluge, making the EauZone Arch Wet Room Panel a perfect symphony of aesthetics and engineering. This fusion of practicality and stylish sophistication means this newest member of the Matki family creates a focal point that lends a spa-like ambience to your home. The minimal framing adds a graceful accent, creating a feeling of space and freedom within the shower area.
INTERFACE | PAST FORWARD
The Past Forward collection is a tribute to 50 years of modular carpet tile innovation, combining iconic designs from the past with contemporary performance. Featuring 14 products with a bold design and colour palette, Past Forward reimagines nostalgic motifs, seamlessly blending retro charm with modern aesthetics. From ornate rococo and renaissance visuals to retro patterns with scribbles and geometrics, vintage-inspired patchwork styles, and traditional Turkish motifs, the collection offers a diverse range of traditional, vintage, and retro designs.
KARCHER DESIGN | SATIN BRASS
With its luxurious gold and bronze tones, Satin Brass creates an atmosphere of elegance and warmth. The matt surface provides a subtle yet impressive presence and adds a special touch to any room. Modern shapes combined with a brushed, satin brass look give Karcher Design products a new expression of class and style. The timeless design is a real eye-catcher and sets elegant accents in any room.
PANAGET | NOISETTE
An extra-mattlight brown Ecostrong lacquer, the Noisette finish gives a particularly elegant brushed effect. Its light brown colour is inspired by the wood floors of yesteryear, while at the same time highlighting the uniqueness of the wood. Panaget has succeeded in developing this new lacquered finish that has all the advantages of lacquer, such as easier maintenance, with the appearance of an oiled floor. The finish also offers a matt, contemporary shade that enhances and sublimates the material.
SOTEXPRO | NEW TEXTILE WALL COVERING
By introducing this new product line to its collection, Sotexpro aims to keep all current benefits of its textile, especially the control of the full production process, inside its French facilities, the French properties of its base fabrics, and a low environmental impact. So from the weaving up to the lamination backing, Sotexpro ensures a fully integrated production while offering texture and warmth to the interior furnishing.
STON | CORIANDOLI
Coriandoli is a fully customisable mosaic programme made from more than 95% recycled glass. The wide range of colours – over 120 standard shades – and the wide range of shapes and finishes make it interesting for completely new projects, both in colour-block or in multicoloured geometric decorations inspired by vintage patterns. The collection is made entirely from glass scraps, mixed with the pigment, pressed into moulds, and fired in the kiln at high temperatures. The material is characterised by very high mechanical properties that allow it to be used on both walls and floors, both indoors and outdoors, including areas with intense foot traffic.
WEVER & DUCRE | TAPIS SOFT
Designed to subtly absorb ambient noise, Tapis Soft, a multifunctional light, gracefully leans against the wall like a gentle wave. Ideal for busy areas like receptions, it comes in four shapes and three colors, offering versatility by also functioning as a stylish overhead light.
Alongside the exceptional exhibitors, ARCHITECT@WORK’s talks programme remains a highlight of the event. For the 2024 edition, the theme “People + Planet: Designing from the Ground Up” promises captivating discussions, inviting exploration of cutting-edge topics such as biophilia, neurodiversity, wellness and embodied carbon. Additionally, attendees can anticipate insights into innovative applications of materials including timber and natural stone.
Please click here to view the full list of exhibitors at the London edition of ARCHITECT@WORK 2024. For visitor passes, please click here to register.
InstallerSHOW’s evolution has made it a valuable opportunity for CIOB members to learn, collaborate and network. With over 600 exhibitors, more than 7 content streams, and an anticipated 20,000 attendees, CIOB members will find a raft of seminars and information to assist them in their roles.
This year’s event comes at a critical time for our industry, with the latest changes to Building Regulations as a result of the Building Safety Act and Net Zero legislation around the phasing out of fossil fuel heating in new homes and buildings. These shifting regulations have changed how we work and created an even greater need for clarity and collaboration between professions.
Highlights from this content programme will include stage hosts such as BBC presenter Samira Ahmed, and environmentalist Philippa Forrester. They will be hosting debates and keynotes from speakers, including:
Ed Houghton, head of research at DG Cities, author of the report “Defining and identifying complex-to-decarbonise homes” with Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ)
Rachael Owens and Sara Edmonds, regional directors of the National Retrofit Hub
Rt Hon Lord Andrew Stunell OBE, president of the National Home Improvement Council (NHIC)
Jordan Brompton, Founder, Myenergi
Adam Chapman, Founder, Heat Geek
Anna Scothern, CEO, National Home Improvement Council
Dr Bola Abisogun OBE, Founder of the Digital Twin Skills Academy
Julie Walters, business development manager at the CIOB, explains the decision to join this year’s show: “The CIOB are proud to be partnering with the InstallerSHOW 2024, allowing our members to explore all the exhibitors and participate within the seminar sessions occurring at such a critical time for the industry as well as seeing and exploring the new innovations and technologies being introduced. With the expansion of the show, it is even more relevant than ever that the CIOB and its members are in attendance. We look forward to this collaboration in 2024 and beyond.”
Welcoming CIOB as a contributing partner to this year’s programme, Nathan Garnett, business development director at organiser Lyrical Communications says: “As the programme at this year’s InstallerSHOW has been enhanced, so the content becomes even more pertinent to CIOB members – especially the Housing Hub, The Elemental Arena, and the Climate Solutions Theatre. The CIOB’s partnership with InstallerSHOW 2024 provides an ideal opportunity for its members to network with installers and specifiers. We also look forward to CIOB staging its own member events at the show, and its leadership taking part in our content programme – joining key debates on sustainability, building safety, skills, and more.”
A visit to InstallerSHOW will allow CIOB members to explore more than 600 exhibitors, including leading brands such as Baxi, Worcester Bosch, Roca, Hansgrohe, VitrA, Vaillant, Schneider Electric, Aico, Rehau and Grohe.
Content and knowledge partners include Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists, National Home Improvement Council, The Federation of Master Builders, the Code for Construction Product Information, The National Federation of Builders and many more.
Register now for up-to-the-minute information as sessions and speakers are announced.
Studio F. A. Porsche designed the Qatego bathroom range for Duravit with a clearly defined style.
The Chicago Athenaeum bestowed the GOOD DESIGN® Award, one of the oldest and globally renowned awards, upon Qatego in the “Bathroom and Accessories” category. The GOOD DESIGN® award is a testament that the selected products meet the most exacting international standards in design excellence. The Duravit Qatego collection was published in the 2023-2024 GOOD DESIGN yearbook.
Harmonious bathroom ranges reference nature
The minimalistic design language of Qatego is about slowing things down. The range favours natural materials with tactile surfaces: wood, ceramic, and natural stone come together, creating a harmonious bathroom design with skillfully accentuated niches. The designers see the washbasins and furniture as a combination of design and functionality.
“With Qatego, we took our lead from people’s needs in the familiar yet intimate surroundings of the bathroom. That’s why it was important for us to lend the objects a strong emotional quality that goes beyond mere functionality,” said Henning Rieseler, design director at Studio F. A. Porsche describing the creative process.
The rounded form of the sanitary objects stands out against the linear and minimalistic design of the cabinets. The designers referenced archetypes in their creative process:
“As a material, ceramic tends to have softer forms due to the working and the firing processes, while our perception of furniture is generally box-like,” said the design studio.
Water Regs UK is issuing a vital reminder to all planning to renovate their bathrooms this year: plumbing projects are often best left to the professionals.
With the cost-of-living pressures, understandably, many will be tempted to fix any leaks and install new appliances. But enthusiastic DIYers can often make costly mistakes.
A survey conducted by Water Regs UK has revealed that plumbing mishaps are the number one DIY disaster in UK homes, with 18% of respondents admitting they had to call in a plumber to rectify attempted DIY plumbing jobs.
The survey, encompassing the experiences of over 2,000 people across the UK, highlights the prevalence of DIY attempts gone wrong and underscores that plumbing needs the specialist skills of a qualified professional. Plumbers emerge as the most sought-after trade for fixing DIY disasters, with electricians and plasterers following closely behind.
Julie Spinks, managing director of Water Regs UK, highlights the significance of hiring qualified professionals, explaining, “In challenging economic times we all want to save money. However, attempting DIY plumbing projects can make things worse and end up costing more. If a mishap occurs, it’s crucial to hire a qualified plumber. Every day, half of Britain’s plumbers are called in to fix mistakes made by unqualified individuals—emphasising the real risks associated with amateur attempts.”
45-54-year-olds are the most at risk of choosing an unqualified plumber, with 47% turning to friends and family for DIY plumbing, compared with 29% of 18-24-year-olds.
The top plumbing tasks that Brits are most likely to try and do themselves are:
Bleed a radiator (58%)
Check a stop tap is working (42%)
Fix a leaky tap (41%)
Install a washing machine or dishwasher and connect a hose to the water supply (36%)
Replace a tap (24%)
While many homeowners may have the skills to tackle simple jobs like bleeding a radiator or insulating a pipe, complex jobs should be left to professionals. Nearly 1 in 10 admit they would try tackling more complex tasks like installing a new toilet, which could lead to leaks and contamination if installed incorrectly.
Water Regs UK encourages homeowners to entrust plumbing and water fittings renovations to approved plumbers, such as those accredited by WaterSafe.
WaterSafe-approved plumbers are trained in the Water Fittings Regulations and Byelaws, which are essential for preventing the risk of contamination of drinking water from substandard plumbing practices and fittings.
