Hansgrohe presented its latest ranges, including Pulsify, RainDrain, Finoris, Vivenis, AddStoris and AXOR One. For some of these products, HIX represented the first time they were available for viewing at an event in the UK.
Hansgrohe comprised its brands AXOR and hansgrohe, to showcase its latest innovations in bathroom design. With working water displays and its latest products on show, visitors were welcomed to the stand. As one of the founding sponsors of HIX 2021, Hansgrohe sponsored the talk, ‘Quietness with Attitude’, in partnership with Hotel Designs at the event.
Jay Phillips, Managing Director at Hansgrohe UK comments: ‘Designing for wellness has never been more important. The mental and physical health impact of the last 18 months has opened up important conversations around personal and corporate wellbeing, so much so that designers and architects need to work increasingly harder to create spaces that calm, rejuvenate and cocoon its users.
“Whether through applying biophilic principles, using clever lighting and layouts, or simply harnessing the restorative power of water when it comes to bathroom planning, good design has the power to transform the guest experience. Hansgrohe, with its brands AXOR and hansgrohe, is delighted to be sponsoring this event where such an important topic is top of the agenda.’
VitrA showcased Liquid, the new bathroom range created in collaboration with acclaimed British designer, Tom Dixon, at the newly launched Hotel Design Interiors (HIX) show.
The Liquid collection, a full bathroom range, is ideally suited to hospitality settings and is the latest addition to VitrA’s portfolio of designer collaborations.
The comprehensive range includes sanitaryware, furniture, taps, tiles, shower systems, and accessories. All of the products are designed to be able to work together or as stand-alone pieces.
Tom Dixon drew inspiration from a variety of sources. From the “big chunky taps and fat tubes” of Victorian bathrooms to the round-edged aesthetics of his recent work, which is reminiscent of the work of Claes Oldenburg and Jeff Koons’ Balloon Dog.
The functionality of the range is designed to be intuitive so that users instinctively understand how to operate the products, a facet of the collection which is particularly suited to hotel and hospitality environments.
Speaking about the need for this Tom commented “I wanted the collection to look like a kid’s sketch of a bathroom basin or a tap, displaying a clear logic and simplicity in looks and usage”.
Consciously choosing to offer only white ceramics, the range combines different materials including fluted glass and metal mesh for the furniture units. Taps and showers are available in chrome or for contrast, a new gloss black finish that is atypical in modern bathrooms. The range also includes distinctive wall tiles, available in five designs with colour options of white, black, grey, sage green and ecru.
The collection is perfectly suited for commercial projects where longevity is an important consideration. The collection can be combined in multiple styles to suit various purposes and environments, ensuring flexibility in a wide range of hotel and hospitality settings.
Levent Giray, Managing Director of VitrA UK, comments: “We are delighted to take part in the first ever HIX event. It is the ideal setting for us to introduce the Liquid range to a commercial and hospitality focused audience.
“Our extensive manufacturing, design and innovation capabilities have ensured that there is a unity to the breadth of the Liquid collection. At a time when there is a greater emphasis placed on the role of the bathroom in hotel and hospitality settings, this cohesive range has a generosity of design that will sit comfortably in many different environments.”
Showcasing its newly accredited Cradle to Cradle Certified® products, supplier of bathroom and kitchen fittings, GROHE, made its first industry exhibition appearance since the beginning of the pandemic at the HIX design show last month.
The globally recognised Cradle to Cradle (C2C) design approach was first developed in the 90s to drastically reduce waste and the drain on new resources. It is achieved by designing intelligent products, processes, and systems that look at the overall lifecycle of the product.
Whilst this concept differentiates between consumer goods (e.g. natural fibres or detergent), which are biodegradable, and service products (e.g. taps), that are broken down into their original materials, this approach means that C2C products can potentially be reused endlessly, enhancing typical recycling practices.
To achieve certification, products must attain a designated level of achievement within the following categories: material health, material reutilisation, renewable energy, water stewardship, and social fairness.
To date, four GROHE products have been Cradle to Cradle Certified at gold level: three taps – GROHE BauEdge S-Size, GROHE Eurosmart S-Size and GROHE Eurosmart Kitchen, as well as the GROHE Tempesta shower rail set. The certified products are four of GROHE’s best-sellers and are also affordable, cost-efficient fittings that make sustainable solutions accessible to hospitality projects of all scales and budgets.
“We were so pleased to finally be able to attend our first event following the onset of the pandemic,” says Ebru Bircan, Leader, Marketing Activation UK, LIXIL EMENA and GROHE UK.
“Continuing to pioneer sustainable solutions that combat the over-consumption of natural resources is an imperative part of GROHE’s sustainability strategy. We also intend to keep working with hotel brands to develop more ways in which hospitality and sustainability can come together seamlessly to leave a lasting impression on guests, whilst reducing the impact on our environment.”
GROHE Tempesta 100 shower rail set – C2C Certified
Integrating smart features into our homes is becoming part of the new normal as more of us work from home.The smart homes market was valued at around $80 billion in 2020, and it is expected to exceed $300 billion by 2026.
With UK householders dramatically increasing the number of smart devices they own, it makes sense for us to integrate smart living into the bathroom. For housebuilders, incorporating connected technology at build level might be a smart move in more ways than one, as demonstrated this year by Plant Prefab. The US prefab construction company announced its highest profit ever in 2020.
Mike Simpson, product & marketing director at Aqualisa agrees “There are currently 15 million households that own a smart home device, with predictions suggesting growth to 24 million by 2025. Smart technology is making homes more efficient and cheaper to run: reducing energy consumption, saving money, decreasing environmental impact and delivering a more personalised experience. “
All systems go
Scavolini Dandy Bathroom Furniture with built-in Alexa
Alexa is now a familiar feature in our kitchen and living areas, however, Scavolini has gone one step further and updated its popular Dandy bathroom furniture range with a smart built-in Amazon Alexa. Not only can you now talk to your home, but your virtual assistant is seamlessly integrated into its design via the Task Bar, an aluminium profile that incorporates smart technology.
Appropiate behaviour
According to UWLA, bathroom products are at the heart of water consumption in the home, with over 60% of water being used in the bathroom (20% accounted for by showers), and 25% of energy used heating hot water.
Helping to conserve water use in the bathroom, Aqualisa’s next-generation Quartz Touch™ smart shower includes an intuitive, easy-to-use mobile app. Families can use the Aqualisa app to control shower duration and monitor individual usage, therefore limiting water consumption and costs. Furthermore, a proximity sensor reduces water flow if the user steps away from the shower.
“With more than 2 billion litres of water used each day in the UK and an expected increase in demand of 30% over the next 20 years, sustainability has become a key priority in the bathroom industry. Combined with the rapid adoption of technology, this is resulting in the emergence of smart home devices that can both enhance consumers’ wellbeing and contribute to a more eco-friendly lifestyle.” continues Mike Simpson, product & marketing director, Aqualisa.
Aqualisa
Keep it clean
Smart technology is dovetailing with a new focus on hygiene as manufacturers integrate touch-free features for frequently used bathroom areas such as guest bathrooms. Sensor-activated products that you don’t have to touch with your hands help us feel more comfortable and enhance hygiene levels.
TOTO is one such company and is offering more touch-free functionalities for its shower toilets (WASHLET™), taps, soap dispenser and automatic hand dryers.
Mirror image
The bathroom is no longer simply a functional space, but a place to rejuvenate and refresh. Light and sound are key design elements when it comes to creating a safe haven, however smart technology also ensures that all-important connectivity. The latest technology means every aspect can be smartly integrated so there is no need to compromise on any single element.
Ash Chilver, HiB Sales Director agrees “As bathrooms become more of a multipurpose space, somewhere that we go to relax and unwind as well as for our hygiene needs, having access to technology is becoming more important. By using and interacting with products featuring technology such as integrated speakers, Bluetooth and charging ports, we can stay connected and enhance our experience and overall enjoyment of the bathroom.”
Teeming with useful technology, the Dimension LED Bluetooth Speaker cabinet (pictured top and below) offers a number of features that enhance the user experience in the bathroom. The cabinet’s dual aspect LED illumination is operated via a handy touch sensor that highlights the design on the mirrored sides and doors. Hidden discreetly within the mirror surface is a heated pad that helps to reduce condensation, and inside the cabinet, the two handy USB ports and a 2 pin socket allows users to charge their devices, toothbrushes and shavers.
Delivering greater hygiene and cleanliness, TOTO has new touch-free solutions designed especially for the bathroom.
It is now understood the fewer things that you need to touch by hand, the better. Touch-free taps and hand dryers were once reserved for public washrooms yet are now becoming more common in peoples homes.
TOTO has designed a variety of solutions for the bathroom that will elevate your standards of hygiene: In addition to several WASHLET models with automatic flush options, the Japanese sanitaryware company offers touch-free taps, soap dispensers, hand dryers and washbasins with especially dirt-resistant ceramic surfaces.
Touch-free features are especially welcome in frequently used guest bathrooms. Sensor-activated products that you don’t have to touch with your hands help you feel cleaner and more comfortable.
WASHLETTM with sensor-activated lid and automatic flush
Guest bathrooms are trending more towards shower toilets with integrated intimate cleansing features that minimise the need for toilet paper. The latest model from TOTO is WASHLET™ RW auto flush with automatic flush functionality. Once you approach WASHLET, the sensor-activated lid raises – and the toilet flushes automatically when you walk away. WASHLET will determine how much water to use for the flush based on the amount of time you spend sitting on the toilet.
LINEARCERAM Washbasin
For extra peace of mind TOTO’s washbasins are made from its notably slim ceramic which is, dirt-resistant and easy-to-clean (LINEARCERAM). It is used in many washbasins, including TOTO’s eye-catching asymmetrical TA vessel. It has a dirt-resistant, easy-to-clean ceramic surface, which essentially prevents waste and bacteria from accumulating. This robust surface can even be cleaned using microfibre cloth and will still keep its brilliant shine after years of constant use.
TOTO’s sensor-based faucets, soap dispenser and hand dryers
Automatic taps equipped with sensors bring even more hygiene to the bathroom, including TOTO’s elegant, wall-mounted Autofaucet with concealed installation. The hidden sensor in the faucet can register every hand movement and dispense the exact amount of water needed. The tap even generates its own electricity from the flow of water – no power socket required.
If you’re trying to maximise hygiene, the move from the touch-free tap to automatic hand dryer is an obvious one. TOTO’s powerful model is an ideal solution for guest bathrooms in the home, drying hands with warm air in no time. According to a company statement, “Our Research Department has also managed to reduce the noise of our hand dryer to a minimum – making it a great option for home bathrooms.”
PJH has launched a luxurious new modular furniture range, aptly named “Statement”.The range is part of its new Autumn/Winter Bathrooms to Love Collection and is available in three super matt soft shades – Matt Antique Rose, Matt Latte and Matt White.
Statement consists of a range of basin units and tall units (also available in a wall-hung option) and can be complemented with a choice of handles in three on-trend finishes – Brushed Brass, Matt Black or Polished Chrome. The basin unit drawers feature luxurious smoked glass sides and anti-slip drawer liners.
The basin units with tops come in two widths (590mm & 1180mm) and can be teamed with choices of handle and washbowl as well as a worktop – including an Urban Black 10mm HPL (High-Pressure Laminate), a White Slate 12mm HPL and a Matt Latte 18mm laminate design. A third basin unit option, at 610mm in width, comes with a 1-tap hole inset ceramic white basin.
Sitting at the top-end of the Bathrooms to Love furniture collection Statement is a perfect showroom display piece when teamed with coordinating Bathrooms to Love products, such as brassware, washbowls, mirrors, lighting, wall-hung ceramics and accessories, as shown above.
A five-year quality guarantee accompanies the Statement range, which is featured on the front cover of the brand new PJH Bathrooms to Love consumer brochure.
Stockist support includes new point-of-sale material, furniture colour swatch samples and display deals – and the new range is now available for ordering via PJH’s e-commerce platform, the Partners Portal™.
D-Neo Minimal is a new bathroom range by designer Bertrand Lejoly for Duravit. With a pared-down aesthetic designed to counter-balance the current fast pace of life, the range includes bathroom furniture, taps, a washbasin, bathtub and mirrors.
The clear, minimalist and geometric forms are complemented by muted brown and subdued beige colour tones. tones that work equally well In all bathroom schemes, from Scandinavian to urban.
Duravit considers the design elements to suit urban individualists whose lifestyles are defined by jettisoning anything superfluous. for this demographic, the bathroom is a haven of peace with clear forms and minimalistic design that make the daily rituals a regenerative experience.
Taps & washbasin
The D-Neo faucets feature a clear-cut design that holds its own in any room. they pare beautifully with the 800 mm asymmetric washbasin, a highlight of the D-Neo range. The vanity unit with open racks and a drawer provides plenty of storage space. With four glass shelves, the semi-tall cabinet also offers ample storage in a compact space.
BathroomFurniture
The new Oak Black finish furniture is calming to the eye and designed to open up the room.
Bathtub
The 1600 x 750 mm free-standing D-Neo bath has the velvety look and feel of the DuraSolid® material, which was developed by Duravit, making the piece an eye-catching choice for bathrooms of any size.
Mirrors
Circular mirrors from the Universal Light & Mirror range provide indirect lighting to pleasantly illuminate the washing area.
About Duravit
Founded in 1817 in Hornberg in the Black Forest, Duravit AG is today a leading international manufacturer of designer bathrooms. The company is active in more than 130 countries worldwide and stands for innovation in the fields of signature design, comfort-enhancing technology and premium quality. In cooperation with an international network of high-profile designers such as Philippe Starck, sieger design, Christian Werner, Cecilie Manz and young talents such as Bertrand Lejoly and Kurt Merki Jr., the company develops unique bathrooms that enhance quality of life for users on a sustained basis. Duravit’s product portfolio comprises sanitary ceramics, bathroom furniture, bathtubs and shower trays, wellness systems, shower-toilets, tap fittings and accessories as well as installation systems.
RAK Ceramics today unveiled its latest collections at Cersaie, an international ceramics exhibition that takes place annually in Bologna, Italy.For the bathroom, RAK will be highlighting RAK-Valet, a collection of sanitaryware solutions designed by Patrick Norguet.
Designer bathroom collections
RAK-Valet brings together the creative flair of its French designer and the manufacturing quality of RAK Ceramics.
The RAK-Valet collection, available in matt and glossy finishes, features thin-profiled washbasins, a generously sized, luxurious bathtub and sanitaryware with elongated lines.
The RAK-Valet collection is completed with details such as metal legs and towel rails or the functional and highly elegant little ceramic shelf, yet another design triumph by Norguet.
RAK-Valet also coordinates perfectly with the newly released RAK-Joy Uno cabinets and mirrors.
Natural marble tile collections
Through-body veining is a RAK Ceramics innovation that enables natural marble veins to pass through the entire thickness of an unglazed porcelain slab with breath-taking results.
Thanks to innovative printing technology, pattern repetition is kept to a minimum and the delicate lines throughout the slab surface appear random and natural. From floors to wall surfaces and kitchen worktops, the effect is particularly dramatic when the product is used over large areas, with RAK-Preziosi being just one example set to be shown at Cersaie.
RAK-Preziosi has a smooth to the touch finish and a distinctive patterning that make this porcelain surface a stand-out backdrop feature wherever it is used.
The epitome of luxury and sophistication, this maximus marble collection is also available in the trend-setting open book effect in a huge range of sizes, thicknesses and design solutions and can be chosen in several colours, including Green, Ocean, Pearl, Rio and Rock.
Abdallah Massaad, Group CEO, RAK Ceramics commented:
“We are proud to present our new collections at Cersaie 2021, especially at such an extraordinary time. Cersaie is an essential event on our marketing calendar and one of great strategic importance for RAK Ceramics. In recent months we have put all efforts into strengthening our positioning as a lifestyle solution provider by developing new collections for bathroom floors, surfaces, large-format tiles, sanitaryware and accessories, all of which are perfectly coordinated.”
In the wake of the pandemic, bathroom spaces have become a place to recalibrate. The 1918 influenza pandemic shaped the modern bathroom with a new focus on sanitation and, in the same way, the COVID-19 pandemic has not only freshened up our hygiene focus, it has renewed the zest for beautiful design as we prioritise space to relax and rejuvenate.With home entertaining also now back on the agenda, creating the wow factor is back in vogue.
Designing a statement bathroom can be achieved in a myriad of ways from introducing a bold colour scheme to utilising a standout statement piece such as a freestanding bath or totem basin. Whilst selecting one stand-out piece will anchor your own personal style, selecting products from a cohesive collection guarantees symmetry.
Round and about
Liquid from VitrA is a new comprehensive range designed in collaboration with Tom Dixon and is the first-ever bathroom range by the acclaimed British designer. Like much of Tom’s recent work, the new collection is aligned with his increasing use of round-edged aesthetics. The designs have been inspired by elements of pop art, such as Jeff Koons and his Balloon Dog and the work of Claes Oldenburg, as well as the sculptor Barbara Hepworth’s geometry of soft forms and use of rounded marble.
VitrA’s design director, Erdem Akan tells us “If you get the core pieces right, you can create combinations and potentials – creating more with less. The result is Liquid, a range that is wholly new and yet somehow familiar.”
Bathing beauties
Freestanding baths effortlessly deliver the wow factor bringing drama and elegance to bathrooms. Oval or circular baths promote a contemporary aesthetic and are spacious enough to cater for all family bathroom needs.
Studies on the psychology of shape tell us circular shapes are pleasing to the eye and promote a sense of well being. Sven Rensinghoff, head of marketing and product development at Bette agrees “Baths with contemporary curved shapes are becoming even more popular as they can be comfortable for both the eye and the body. Taking their inspiration from nature, they can help to create a welcoming bathroom design and can also be extremely comfortable to use.”
Bette baths are available in over 400 colours so adding a touch of individuality is simple to do from the outset. The BetteEve Oval is natural, comfortable and perfect for two to bathe together because the ellipse has two focal points. The BetteEve baths are a generous 180 x 100 cm, with symmetrical backrests on both sides and a central waste outlet.
BetteEve Oval Silhouette bath
Geo style
When it comes to smaller spaces, Helen Clark, head of marketing at Utopia Bathrooms tells us “You don’t necessarily need a large bathroom to create a statement. People often associate impact with a very spacious bathroom where there is a clear focal point such as a freestanding bath or large walk-in shower but in reality it’s what you achieve with the space you have and the materials you use that can add stunning visual appeal. “
Utopia delivers a contemporary Geo arrangement that combines minimalist style and stunning finishes for a chic effect. This is also a look that can easily be scaled down to suit a smaller space with no loss of impact.
Opula in Indigo and Burnt Copper from Utopia Bathrooms
Paint it black
Design schemes that break the mould are also achieved with clever use of colour, this strategy is useful for modest bathrooms where monochromatic options help build impact and create the illusion of space.
Marianne Shillingford, creative director Akzonobel Dulux UK agrees “When it comes to creating instant impact in the bathroom you can’t beat a slug of gutsy colour. Fortune favours the brave in small spaces where we should be able to enjoy a full immersion sensory experience in everything from invigorating water on our skin to texture and colour.”
Black and white tones are also ideal for creating a rustic-inspired bathroom with retro accents. White bathroom walls are the starting point for this look, Absolute White from Dulux, delivers a crisp finish, and dark oak doors and cabinetry pair beautifully with Victorian-style silver taps and pipework.
Walk-in wonders
Sustainability is the watchword for 2021 and is set to stay at the top of the agenda indefinitely. Combining luxurious statement design with sustainability appears to be an incongruous pairing, but it is key as we move into a new era of eco-responsibility.
Adam Teal, Kaldewei UK head of sales agrees “Sustainability has always been at the core of Kaldewei’s business and is a constant and consistent theme when designing and creating new products, our steel enamel solutions add a luxurious air creating a feeling of ‘luxstainabilty’ – luxury and sustainability – to any setting.”
The SUPERPLAN ZERO is the latest product from Kaldewei. This impressive enamelled shower surface is the perfect addition to a statement bathroom and has been created by the Berlin designer Werner Aisslinger. The style is reserved yet extremely comfortable underfoot.
Global bathroom brand VitrA’s Liquid is a new comprehensive range designed in collaboration with Tom Dixon. Liquid is the first-ever bathroom range by the acclaimed British designer.
The range is the latest addition to VitrA’s portfolio of designer collaborations, part of a long-standing programme of working with world-renowned designers to create distinctive, modern bathroom collections.
For Tom, the collaboration with VitrA has allowed him to explore new design opportunities while gaining an appreciation of the complexities of manufacturing products for the bathroom. Creating a fully comprehensive range was key for the designer so Liquid covers all elements of the bathroom – sanitaryware, furniture, taps, tiles, shower systems, and accessories.
For Liquid, part of Tom’s inspiration was Victorian bathrooms.
“I like the feeling of permanence in Victorian bathrooms, with their big chunky taps and fat tubes,” Tom notes. “It’s an aesthetic that’s closely connected to a whole tradition of British engineering and influenced the development of the bathroom.”
The fact that clay is readily available and extremely durable resonated with Tom, particularly from a sustainability perspective. He found it fascinating “the way a bit of grey and greasy earth can transform into something so white, clean and shiny.”
Like much of Tom’s recent work, the new collection is aligned with his increasing use of round-edged aesthetics. The designs have been inspired by elements of pop art, such as Jeff Koons and his Balloon Dog and the work of Claes Oldenburg, as well as the sculptor Barbara Hepworth’s geometry of soft forms and use of rounded marble.
Over months of close collaboration, VitrA and Tom Dixon explored lots of new ideas. “I think design should always increase the potentials,” says VitrA’s design director, Erdem Akan. “If you get the core pieces right, you can create combinations and potentials – creating more with less.” The final result is Liquid, a range that is wholly new and yet somehow familiar.
Levent Giray, managing director of VitrA UK, comments:
“We are delighted to introduce Tom Dixon’s innovative and contemporary collection as part of our ongoing collaboration with world-renowned designers. Our extensive manufacturing, design and innovation capabilities have ensured that there is a unity to the breadth of Liquid, the VitrA x Tom Dixon collection. At a time when there is a greater emphasis placed on the bathroom space, this cohesive collection has a generosity of design that will sit comfortably in both domestic and professional environments.”
