The ME by Starck Hero Edition from Duravit is a forward-thinking, wall-hung toilet that brings together minimalist design, advanced technology, and genuine everyday practicality. Designed in collaboration with Philippe Starck, this model meets the high expectations of UK homeowners, designers, and installers alike.
Its centrepiece is the DuraFlush rotational flush system. Using just 4/2 litres per flush, it delivers powerful, splash-free performance across the entire bowl. The rimless, sloped design ensures thorough cleaning with every flush and drastically reduces the need for scrubbing. It’s also impressively quiet—ideal for night-time use.
Duravit’s new DuraShield glaze takes hygiene to the next level. This innovative, antibacterial finish eliminates 99.99% of bacteria within 24 hours, thanks to metal-ion technology. The smooth, pore-free surface prevents the build-up of dirt and limescale, helping maintain a cleaner, fresher toilet for longer, with less reliance on harsh chemicals.
Ease of installation is another highlight. The DuraFix Pro system enables quick, secure, one-person fitting from above, eliminating the need for visible screws or caps. It’s a clean solution for modern bathrooms, whether in new builds or refurbishments. The ergonomic seat is designed for comfort and features a fast-release mechanism for straightforward cleaning and maintenance.
Available in White or White Satin Matt finishes, the ME by Starck Hero Edition is a considered, sustainable choice. It comes with a lifetime guarantee and is made entirely of ceramic, with no plastic components. This is a premium fixture that delivers high performance, long-term value, and contemporary style.
Perfect for design-led bathrooms across the UK, the Hero Edition sets a new standard in wall-hung toilet design.
Features by Diane Larner founder and editor of Bathroom Review & Kitchens Review. Diane Larner launched both titles over 12 years ago and has been writing about the bathroom and kitchen interior design industry ever since, publishing regular features across the two sectors.
ISH Frankfurt 2025 opened its doors to over 160,000 visitors from 150 countries in early March. It brought together manufacturers, industry leaders, designers, and innovators to showcase the latest trends in sustainable design, smart technologies, and eco-friendly solutions.
For the bathroom sector, water-saving innovation, twinned with resource efficiency, was billed as a key theme of this show. Many exhibitors unveiled products that prioritise energy and help users conserve water. The Future of Water section captured the spotlight, featuring new technologies designed to reduce consumption while maintaining high performance. From smart, connected systems to innovative water-saving features, ISH Frankfurt 2025 demonstrated how the bathroom sector is embracing a greener, more sustainable future.
Digital transformation embedded within the latest bathroom design highlighted the growing trend forsmart, connected bathroom systems. Numerous exhibitors showcased innovations with digital and app controls and intelligent solutions designed to enhance daily living and accessibility.
Diane Larner attended the event and compiled six inspirational bathroom highlights.
Universal design has always been at the heart of HEWI’s philosophy.
Wolfgang Marzin
Wolfgang Marzin, president and chief executive officer (CEO) of Messe Frankfurt
The atmosphere at ISH 2025 was outstanding – the halls were buzzing, and the conversations were in-depth and forward-looking. The industry is ready and willing to shape the future. ISH has reaffirmed its status as the world’s leading trade fair: 72 per cent international exhibitors and 163,157 visitors speak for themselves.
“ISH 2025 has powerfully demonstrated that innovative solutions to meet basic needs have long been available. Our exhibitors have shown that the transition to a sustainable economy is not only vital, but already underway – despite the challenges we currently face. They are developing technologies that improve our daily lives while making them more sustainable.”
Ruth Davies, VitrA UK marketing director
We were delighted to be at ISH for our 21st year, showcasing our latest products and innovations. This year we presented a wide range of new products, including new sanitaryware, furniture, and brassware as well as V-Care smart toilets and the groundbreaking SonicFlush technology.
“Sustainability was also a key focus, with dedicated space highlighting our ethos. We showcased our recycled washbasin as well as our new recycled toilet seat, alongside the introduction of our SustaINdex system, which ranks our products based on their environmental and social impact, covering materials, production, transportation, and packaging. A huge thank you to everyone who visited us – it was fantastic to share our innovations and hear your feedback!”
About ISH Frankfurt
ISH Frankfurt is the world’s leading trade fair for bathroom, building, energy, and air-conditioning technologies, held biennially in Frankfurt, Germany. As a key event in the industry, it showcases the latest trends and innovations, offering a platform for manufacturers, designers, and experts to present groundbreaking solutions for the built environment. The fair is renowned for its focus on sustainability, smart technologies, and energy efficiency, making it a must-attend event for anyone looking to stay ahead in the evolving world of bathroom and building services.
At ISH, global leaders gather to explore cutting-edge products and share insights on the future of water management, digital transformation, and eco-friendly design. The event plays a pivotal role in shaping industry standards and promotes the adoption of green technologies that enhance both functionality and sustainability. With its forward-thinking approach, ISH continues to be the premier destination for discovering the innovations that will define the future of living and working spaces.
The eco-cistem™ is a pioneering toilet cistern designed to revolutionise water conservation. It flushes with grey condensate water from air conditioning units, providing an innovative solution to reduce freshwater consumption. Already installed in numerous commercial hotels and office buildings, the eco-cistem™ is delivering substantial water savings.
This advanced cistern is specifically engineered to capture and reuse condensate water – typically wasted and sent to the drain – by redirecting it to the toilet cistern for flushing.
The eco-cistem™ unit features a unique, patented 18-litre, twin-chamber design. It can store up to 12 litres of ‘free’ condensate grey water, with the remaining six litres dedicated to flushing. The system prioritises using grey water, only drawing fresh water when no condensate is available, ensuring optimal flush performance without any compromise.
Condensate production from air conditioning units varies, but even in the UK, the demand for air conditioning is growing due to climate change and increasingly thermally efficient buildings. For instance, a small 1.75kW air conditioning unit can generate over 1 litre of condensate per hour. An eco-cistem™ installation will yield significant freshwater savings even in this scenario.
The eco-cistem™ has been designed and manufactured in the UK and is suitable for various projects, including hotels, apartments and office blocks. It has been created as a concealed installation and, at 485mm high x 476mm wide x 195mm deep in size, can fit in all standard service voids. It is simple to install for wall or frame-mounted WCs and has adjustable flush volumes between 3.5 and 6 litres to suit different regions worldwide. It has undergone testing and received WRAS approval, ensuring compliance with UK Water Supply Regulations.
Additionally, it has passed the AB Air Gap test conducted by KIWA, achieving Category 5 compliance. The cistern is also eligible for BREEAM points under WAT 01 for water consumption and can earn up to six points in LEED’s water efficiency.
In 2023, Paul Crossley was appointed managing director of eco-cistem™ to refine the product design and branding, streamline the UK manufacturing process, and establish several test sites to measure water savings and gain the required accreditations. The development work has now been completed, successful case studies have been conducted, and the product is currently in stock and ready for distribution.
Manufactured in the UK, the eco-cistem™ is ideal for hotels, apartments, and office blocks. Its compact size (485mm high x 476mm wide x 195mm deep) allows for easy installation within standard service voids, whether wall or frame-mounted. The cistern offers adjustable flush volumes between 3.5 and 6 litres, catering to diverse regional needs. It has been tested and certified with WRAS approval for UK Water Supply Regulations and achieved Category 5 compliance in the AB Air Gap test by KIWA. The eco-cistem™ also qualifies for BREEAM points under WAT 01 for water consumption.
eco-cistem™ is the world’s most environmentally friendly toilet cistern. More at https://ecocistem.co.uk/
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 industry ever since, publishing regular features across the two sectors.
Inclusive design is becoming more accepted in general bathroom projects. It ensures that buildings not only meet accessibility requirements but also creates a welcoming environment that caters to the needs of all users. In today’s world, it makes sense to deliver accessible spaces that serve all physical abilities, including mobility challenges, sensory impairments, and age-related conditions.
Hewi product manager Florian Haude agrees, “Accessible design is increasingly becoming the standard in architecture and product design. The focus is particularly on universal design, which makes products and rooms accessible to all people, regardless of their abilities. For example, floor-level showers are not only practical for people with limited mobility but also offer comfort and safety for all age groups. Combined with non-slip surfaces, grab rails and shower seats, an accessible bathroom becomes the norm, combining functionality and aesthetics.”
Easy elegance
Ideal Standard
According to the World Health Organization, over one billion people—about 15% of the global population—live with some disability*, and one in five people are 65 or over. Creating beautiful, inclusive spaces ensures everyone can experience the same level of comfort and enjoyment which makes it a win-win for developers.
Ideal Standard’s senior designer Yiota Toumba comments, “Building or upgrading bathrooms to be more accessible and comfortable for elderly or less mobile residents is one of the most impactful steps developers and housing managers can take. This will both greatly improve quality of life for residents and increase a property’s value.”
Ideal Standard seamlessly blends stylish design with thoughtful functionality. Its Concept Freedom range, designed in collaboration with Studio Levien, offers considerate features for users with mobility impairments. For example, the collection includes wall-hung, back-to-wall, and close-coupled WCs that are 25% higher than average, reducing knee pressure and improving comfort.
Axess all areas
KEUCO AXESS
Accessible showers also ensure safety and comfort for all users. Key features include barrier-free entry, which allows easy access for wheelchair users or those with limited mobility. Adjustable showerheads, grab bars, and non-slip flooring enhance safety, while a shower seat offers a convenient resting option. By integrating inclusive design, these product lines ensure accessibility is seamlessly integrated into everyday life.
Several companies are leading the way in this area, offering a wide range of products to ensure safety and comfort. KEUCO is one such brand. As the demand for barrier-free bathroom concepts continues to grow, so has KEUCO’s product offering. Its ranges support physical disabilities and comprise highly functional but beautifully designed products that ensure comfort and safety in the bathroom.
KEUCO’s ranges include ergonomically designed PLAN CARE shower products, IXMO shower fittings, including shower rails and railing systems, KEUCO AXESS (pictured above and top), and a sustainable and cross-generational wetroom rail system that can be flexibly adapted to suit any space.
Accessible accessories
HEWI Tilting Mirror
Thanks to growing innovation in the industry, accessible design is not limited to the shower or bath. A growing range of products means inclusivity is easily accommodated in every aspect of the bathroom. Adaptive accessories play a vital role in ensuring usability for all; for example, mirrors placed at accessible heights help individuals in wheelchairs or with limited mobility use them easily.
As an expert in barrier-free sanitary solutions, HEWI has introduced an exciting addition to its product lineup: the motorised tilting mirror. This new model offers extra ease and functionality – the tilt function can be adjusted with precision up to a 28° angle, all controlled wirelessly via a sleek wall switch.
Freshen up
TOTO NEOREST WX
Shower toilets offer significant benefits when it comes to accessible design. These toilets provide a hygienic, gentler and more effective cleaning method than traditional toilet paper. These options are especially beneficial for individuals with limited mobility, sensitive skin or arthritis. The latest models have been designed to let users adjust water pressure and temperature – this helps promote independence and reduces the need for assistance. Thanks to their ergonomic design, comfort is enhanced, and water-saving features make them an environmentally responsible choice. If designers wish to prioritise inclusivity, shower toilets offer a practical solution.
Kazuki Osugi, general manager of TOTO UK, explains the importance of new technology, “If people lose strength and mobility, things like going to the toilet can become very difficult. It’s an unpleasant experience to feel helpless in such intimate moments – especially for people who wish to live self-determined lives with dignity. Designing an appropriate bathroom is an important step to keep people going to the toilet as long as possible without assistance. A TOTO WASHLET bidet toilet with various features is a great solution for hospitality environments.”
TOTO’s NEOREST WX features the latest WASHLET technology. This new design cleverly conceals advanced features while maintaining a sleek and minimalist aesthetic. The NEOREST WX is one of TOTO’s premium offerings, showcasing the brand’s commitment to luxury, hygiene, and comfort.
Child’s play
HEWI
Using colour in residences where children with disabilities and special needs are cared for can promote a positive and supportive environment. Colours influence mood, behaviour, and cognitive function, helping create spaces that are calming, stimulating, or comforting, depending on the child’s needs.
HEWI’s products for children are not only designed in uplifting colours but also meet a variety of requirements: They are safe, easy to use, and robust. In addition, they are easy to clean and hygienic. Products used in cots, nurseries, kindergartens, or schools must withstand high loads over the long term. HEWI products for children meet all these requirements.
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Global bathroom manufacturer TOTO will make its debut at HIX 2024, showcasing its iconic WASHLET within a bespoke 45 square metre stand. Designed by world-renowned architects Squire & Partners, the stand features a reception foyer, sensory zone, and a Tea House. The immersive space, illuminated by the soft glow of the WASHLET, takes visitors on a journey into a unique environment that blends modern technology with traditional Japanese design elements.
Drawing inspiration from Japanese architectural motifs, the design incorporates shoji screens with a contemporary twist. TOTO replaces traditional rice paper with architectural woven wire and wood mesh, creating a calm, serene space that allows visitors to experience the fusion of Japanese culture, cutting-edge technology, and design under one roof.
At HIX, TOTO will guide visitors on a sensory journey that reflects the event’s theme of exploring spaces and places. TOTO’s installation showcases the brand’s ability to transform environments and enhance user experiences, demonstrating its commitment to innovation in the bathroom sector.
A leader in design technologies for sanitaryware, TOTO’s dedication to continual product refinement, or kaizen, ensures exceptional comfort and hygiene. The WASHLET, TOTO’s signature toilet with an integrated bidet, has sold over 60 million units globally and is a popular choice for hospitality and luxury hotel suites.
TOTO will present its latest model, the NEOREST WX. Featuring the latest WASHLET technology, this new design cleverly conceals advanced features while maintaining a sleek and minimalist aesthetic. The NEOREST WX is one of TOTO’s premium offerings, showcasing the brand’s commitment to luxury, hygiene, and comfort.
Since entering the European market in 2009, TOTO has become a key player in the hospitality sector, with luxury hotels across the continent specifying the ultra-hygienic WASHLET to ensure a positive guest experience. As the WASHLET range continues to expand, the variety of designs offers increased flexibility, making it the ideal choice for hotels seeking both style and functionality.
Duravit has expanded its successful D-Code range, designed by sieger design, offering an all-inclusive bathroom solution that caters to both residential and commercial projects. This affordable range includes ceramics, furniture, bathtubs, accessories, and faucets, all designed with versatility and modern aesthetics in mind.
The D-Code ceramics range features sleek washbasins, toilets, and bidets in various dimensions to suit any project. The washbasins combine spacious inner basins with large tap platforms for maximum comfort, while the toilets incorporate Duravit’s innovative Rimless® technology, offering superior hygiene and water efficiency. These features make the range suitable for diverse environments, from residential homes to high-traffic public spaces.
In the bathroom furniture category, D-Code offers vanity units, semi-tall cabinets, and illuminated mirrors made from PEFC-certified sustainable materials. Available in contemporary finishes like Anthracite and Oak, the furniture is delivered pre-assembled for quick and easy installation, making it a practical choice for large-scale and bespoke projects. The recessed grip handles in Chrome or Matt Black add a sleek, modern touch.
The bathtub collection includes a variety of rectangular built-in acrylic bathtubs in all standard dimensions. These bathtubs feature a comfortable seat depth of 45 cm and an optional “Jet Project” whirl function, providing a luxurious bathing experience at an affordable price. The D-Code shower trays come in square, rectangular, and quadrant shapes, catering to a wide range of bathroom layouts.
Duravit also offers a comprehensive faucet and accessories range in Chrome or Matt Black finishes. The faucets feature water-saving technologies such as FreshStart and MinusFlow, which help reduce water and energy consumption. Accessories like towel rails, soap dishes, and toilet roll holders are perfectly coordinated to complete the look of any bathroom.
Michael Sieger of sieger design highlights the thought behind the D-Code range: “The rigor and new versatility of D-Code – from the washbasin to the toilet, from bathroom furniture to bathtubs, whirl tubs, and shower trays up to accessories – expand the opportunities for bathroom design.” This reflects Duravit’s commitment to offering practical yet stylish solutions.
Duravit stands behind its products with a lifetime guarantee on ceramics and five-year warranties on faucets, furniture, and bathtubs.
Duravit’s D-Code range is ideal for those seeking high-quality, durable products that combine timeless design with functionality. It delivers versatility and sustainability, making it a perfect choice for private and public projects.
For over 60 years, Saniflo has excelled at enhancing homes and buildings with its innovative pumps and macerators. The latest offerings, Modulo and Modulo XL, enable the creation of complete bathrooms within bedrooms through two convenient all-in-one solutions. Modulo features a pod-style design with a shower and basin, while Modulo XL incorporates a shower, basin, and wall-hung WC.
These bathroom pods come with various profile and glass options, including white profiles with white glass, black profiles with black glass, and black profiles with white glass. Installation of a new en-suite can be completed in just 2 to 3 days, requiring only basic electrical access and small-bore pipework. Where waste discharge presents challenges, a Saniflo pump can be included as part of the installation package.
Both Modulo models offer a luxurious version with a sliding door shower, a chic vanity unit with a basin, and a modern towel rail, as well as a standard version featuring a curtain rail shower and a washbasin with a mixer tap. Each model is equipped with a contemporary mechanical shower valve and handset.
The bathroom pods can be positioned in a recess or corner, with a pivot door for easy access. In the shower area, a self-supporting Biocryl platform rests on height-adjustable feet, complemented by finishing plinths and opaque white glass back panels. The ceiling is crafted from white honeycomb polypropylene and includes two integrated LED spotlights. Additional features include a mirror, glass shelves, towel hook, ventilation grill, 220 V socket, and a floor mat, with all glass treated for anti-limescale properties for effortless cleaning post-installation.
Modulo and Modulo XL are perfect solutions for boutique hotels, bed and breakfasts, guest houses, modular buildings, or any homeowner looking to expand living space in a basement, garage, barn, or other external structures. They present a new opportunity for installers to deliver swift and efficient bathroom solutions to their clients.
Amanda Mills, marketing manager at Saniflo, states, “The new Modulo and Modulo XL make it easy to add a practical yet stylish en-suite to an existing bedroom. This will be particularly appealing to many small boutique hotels, bed and breakfast owners with shared bathroom facilities for guests, and domestic households needing an additional bathroom. It’s also an excellent opportunity for manufacturers of modular buildings seeking a complete bathroom solution.”
HygieneGlaze – Duravit’s unique, patented ceramic glaze for environmentally friendly bathroom hygiene – has evolved. In addition to its highly efficient, antibacterial effect, the HygieneGlaze® Plus ceramic surface offers outstanding levels of cleanliness and even greater ease of cleaning. This effect has been achieved by altering the surface tension following a modification of the glaze.
Fewer deposits, greater cleanliness
The smooth, low-adhesion surface texture of HygieneGlaze® Plus means that dirt and limescale particles are even easier to rinse off with water. This keeps the ceramic looking and feeling as perfect as the day it was installed.
The long-lasting cleanliness of the ceramic makes cleaning noticeably easier, which generates economic benefits in facilities with a high user frequency, such as public toilets. In addition, the reduced use of cleaning products lowers the environmental impact.
Lasting and efficient hygiene
HygieneGlaze® Plus works based on the oligodynamic effect – the harmful effect of positively charged metal ions on bacteria – this is integrated into the glaze during the firing process. This manufacturing process ensures a lasting effect, leading to a dynamic reduction in pathogens such as escherichia coli. After just six hours, 90 per cent of the bacteria have been eliminated, rising to an excellent hygiene level of 99.99 per cent after 24 hours.
Aurena complete with HygieneGlaze® Plus
Aurena by Antonio Citterio is the first complete ceramic series to be launched with the HygieneGlaze® Plus surface. This extends to washbasins, toilets, and bidets, as well as all ceramic colours supplied (White, White Satin Matt, Black, Matt Black). Other series are already being planned.
UK kitchen distributor Waterline has announced the launch of the Waterline Bathroom Collection, its first venture into the bathroom sector. This expansion marks an exciting milestone for the company, as it now offers a full KBB service solution for independent retailers.
The Waterline Bathroom Collection features a wide range of products catering to traditional and contemporary tastes. Developed in close collaboration with industry experts, the range includes everything from furniture, WCs, and flushing systems to brassware, basins, shower trays and enclosures, baths, heating solutions, flooring, and mirrors.
Design is at the heart of the Waterline Bathroom Collection. Both square and round themes are featured in the sanitaryware, while the furniture pieces feature contemporary and traditional styles. The shower enclosures offer a variety of styles, including quadrant, sliding doors, and hinge doors, while the brassware comes in multiple tap configurations with finishes that match the shower enclosures. Colour features throughout the range too, ensuring cross-product colour coordination to meet diverse design preferences.
Competitively priced to enable retailers to maintain strong margins, Waterline offers exclusive incentives for displaying its products. Importantly, none of the products in the Waterline Bathroom range will be sold online, ensuring exclusive support for its retail partners.
“We are delighted to launch the Waterline Bathroom Collection, marking our first step into the bathroom market,” said Michael Marriott, CEO of Waterline Distribution. “This expansion is a testament to our dedication to providing a full KBB service solution.”
Allow customers to think outside of the box when designing their dream bathroom. Adding a colourful cistern can be the perfect solution to add a statement piece without overtaking the room. For this, the Thomas Crapper814 cistern is exactly the product required.
As with all Thomas Crapper products the quality and timeless design features set this brand above many of its competitors. The marine quality aluminium alloy used to produce this cast cistern gives an impressive, long-lasting, highly durable smooth finish
The 814 cistern is available in five standard colours – red, matt black, blue, white and green – or can be specified in a selection of RAL colours.
