Recently, we saw high-tech manufacturer RAK Ceramics partner with Pininfarina, the luxury designer of Ferrari, BMW, Alfa Romeo and Maserati. The new collaboration allows the manufacturer to entre the luxury bathware sector.
RAK-Pininfarina, as the new alliance is called, launched its first bathware collection called Quadro at ISH Exhibition in Frankfurt, Germany in March. The new range targets high-end customers and 5-star hotels, international airports and up-market hospitality segments. Quadro will also leverage Pininfarina’s interest in aesthetic designs that are also long-lasting and durable.
The new range consists of high-end bathware products, providing customers with a sophisticated and contemporary bath range that combines design with functionality.
RAK Ceramics CEO, Abdallah Massaad says: “The RAK-Pininfarina alliance provides a strong global foothold for both brands in this unique segment of the industry. We have seen a significant rise in demand for co-branded designer products that transform essentials into luxury, especially in the bathware segment. Our customers seek comfort and convenience alongside fashion and sleek designs in their bathroom furniture and Quadro is expected to exceed their expectations.
“We chose ISH to introduce this evolutionary art collection considering the exhibition’s international reputation, whereby it hosts over 2,400 exhibitors from the world’s leading bathware manufacturers and designers.”
RAK-Pininfarina notes that Quadro boasts superior quality materials and environmentally efficient processes that are used to manufacture Quadro bathware. Additionally, luxury designer auxiliary fixtures complement and add to the range certified ecological attributes.
Aesthetically speaking, Quadro’s products maintain clean lines and sleek simplicity, while boasting optimal functionality, which can be noted by the practical rim detailing, comfortable dimensions and uninterrupted contours for the free-standing pieces.
Other new ranges include that by renowned Dutch brand NotOnlyWhite, which has partnered with HI-MACS for its collection Scape 2015. Designed by Dutch designer Joost van der Vecht, the collection is a first for the company to opt for an outside designer. For its new range, NotOnlyWhite aimed to create a range that stood out due to its purity and simplicity.
HI-MACS acrylic stone was the chosen material for the new products, due to its hygienic properties. With a non-porous surface, the material does not absorb moisture and is also effective at resisting stains, marks and scratches.
The Scape collection consists of two basin series including the Scape Monolith and the Scape Wall-Hung. The first includes three free-standing basins, while the latter comprises of two wall-mounted basins. Both series have different pieces to achieve various results.
BAGNODESIGN
Tell us about your company?
BAGNODESIGN maintains an impressive list of prestigious references in the hospitality industry worldwide. It showcases its brand through a number of luxury showrooms located around the world, serving as inspirational hubs for unique and creative bathrooms.
What are your best products?
We believe that our best-selling ‘product’ is our ability to deliver on our brand promise, which is to offer creative bathroom solutions to our discerning customers and the wider market.
Through the breadth of our product portfolio, we have a talent for balancing design criteria with value and quality. This, coupled with our wealth of experience, makes for a great deal of customer satisfaction.
What projects have you been involved in?
We’ve been involved in Crazy Bear Hotel, UK; Banana Island Resort Doha by Anantara; JW Marriott Marquis, Dubai; Palazzo Versace, Dubai; AlilaJabalAkhdar Hotel, Oman; Foremarke School, Dubai; Pik Palace Hotel, Azerbaijan; Hilton Waldorf Astoria Hotel, Holland; Anantara Sir BaniYas Island, Abu Dhabi; Zayed University, UAE; St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi; Yas Viceroy, Abu Dhabi; InterContinental, Mauritius; Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre; Hyatt Regency, Dubai; Chedi Resort & Spa, Oman and Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates, Dubai.
What trends do you see in the Middle East with regards to bathroom design?
A focal point in bathroom design, the freestanding bath is not going anywhere in 2015! They are striking, sculptural design features which set the mood for rest and relaxation. Recently seeing a move towards composite stone material, the matte surface and relaxed structure make them versatile for use in both modern and contemporary bathrooms.
Custom composite stone vanity units look modern and are very practical. Their sleek, contemporary design with clever storage options give the illusion of spaciousness. They allow the designer to add a unique touch to their design.
Where do we find you?
Visit www.BAGNODESIGN.org or the nearest showroom to you.
Geberit
Tell us about your company?
The globally operating Geberit group is the European leader in the field of sanitary products. The group headquarters is located in Rapperswil-Jona Switzerland. The production network encompasses 35 production facilities. The group is headquartered in Rapperswil-Jona, Switzerland. With more than 12,000 employees in over 40 countries, Geberit generates net sales of CHF2.9 billion.
What are your best selling products?
The Geberit concealed cistern, which set the standard for modern WC cisterns. The Geberit concealed cistern has been installed a million times over around the world.
What projects have you been involved in?
We have an impressive reference portfolio for our product ranges including a number of prestigious projects such as the New Doha International Airport, St. Regis Hotel in both Abu Dhabi and Doha, Jabal Omar project in Mecca, Conrad, Hyatt, Hilton and Marriott hotels, King Abdulla Financial District KSA, New York University Abu Dhabi, Rocco Forte Hotel Abu Dhabi, Mafraq Hospital Abu Dhabi, Salam Tower Dubai, Jumeirah Park Villas in Dubai, Burj Al Arab in Dubai, Etihad Towers Abu Dhabi, Zayed University Abu Dhabi, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, YasWaterworld Abu Dhabi, Missoni Hotel Kuwait and the EPA headquarters Kuwait– to name just a few!
What trends do you see in bathroom design in the Middle East?
Trends towards bathrooms with the spa feel to them, designed so they resemble the look and feel of an extension to the living room rather than your traditional bathrooms. More walk-in spacious showers – space for rejuvenation and wellness with wall drains and elegant shower channel drainage.
Acoustics play and important part of the material selection process within buildings as building quality has dramatically improved, people now look to upgrade and renovate bathrooms using acoustic pipes and quiet fill valves in the toilet cisterns which allow acoustic levels in living spaces to be reduced dramatically.
Where do we find you?
UAE: +971 4 447 0914
KSA: +966 2 668 3468
Kuwait: +965 6 672 8102
Qatar: +974 4 020 6055
sales.gulf@geberit.com
www.geberit.ae
TOTO
Tell us about your company?
TOTO was established in 1917 in Japan. Today, TOTO is a global company with manufacturing and sales offices around the world. TOTO is a $5bn sales turnover company with 30 thousand employees worldwide.
Our value is to provide high-quality products, our mission is to enhance the comfort of our users, and our overall goal is to meet our TOTO GREEN CHALLENGE through the production of our environmentally-friendly products.
What are your best selling products?
Our best selling products include Washlet, self- powered auto faucets, self- powered sensor flush valves, the Cifiontect Water Closet and Wash Basin, and urinal with fuzzy logic software.
What projects have you been involved in?
We’ve been involved in Dubai International Airports, Dubai Mall, Dubai Metro, Emirates Office Towers, Bahrain Financial Towers, DIFC Intercontinental & Crowne Plaza Hotel, Dubai Festival City, Jal Hotels, Dubai Marina Mall & Hotel, Park Hyatt Hotel, Dusit Hotel, Conrad Hotel, AlAin Mall, Four Seasons (Qatar and Saudi Kingdom Tower), Cleveland Hospital, Conrad Hotel Dubai, Dubai Airport T2 Expansion, and Saudi Universities just to name a few.
What trends do you see in bathroom design in the Middle East?
There is a growing demand especially in the hotel segment for products that provide high comfort and luxury to guests. The commercial projects are seeing a growing demand for eco-friendly and water efficient products.
Where do we find you?
Visit our website asia.toto.com for more information.
Hansgrohe
Tell us about your company?
The Hansgrohe Company is based in Schiltach, Germany. In our 114-year history, we have acquired a reputation as a leading innovator in technology, design and sustainability in the sanitation sector. The mixers, showerheads and shower systems created by Hansgrohe SE are original products that make bathrooms more functional, more comfortable and aesthetically pleasing.
What are your best selling products?
Axor, the designer brand of Hansgrohe SE, successfully realises “Designer visions for your bathroom”. In cooperation with Axor, leading architects, interior and product designers develop their vision for the bathroom as a living space. The Axor Lamp Shower designed by Nendo, our new collection AxorCitterio E and the fountain mixer AxorStarck V are especially popular among Middle East customers who are looking for differentiating design and high-quality products.
Within the international Hansgrohe Group, Hansgrohe is the premium brand for bathroom and kitchen fixtures, shower systems as well as thermostat and plumbing technology. In Middle Eastern countries, the PuraVidaline features among the most popular products from the Hansgrohe product portfolio.
What projects have you been involved in?
Hansgrohe quality products are the preferred choice for some of the most prestigious venues, both worldwide, and in the region. One of the key projects that we are currently involved in is Four Seasons Abu Dhabi. Our Hansgrohe PuraVida line of mixers along with the AxorCitterio collection have been specified to match the purist design concept of the hotel, while representing the fine art of ageless design and beautifully integrating into the diverse bathroom style.
What trends do you see in bathroom design in the Middle East?
One of the key trends is transparency in the bathroom – revealing the beauty of what is usually hidden. In interior décor, there is a movement towards openness and clarity including technology which was previously concealed. This penchant for open design particularly benefits the shower area, which is an increasingly prominent feature in bathrooms that more and more evolve into living spaces. We at Hansgrohe believe that there is a trend towards clarity, the appearance of tranquillity and the use of glass as a material.
Where do we find you?
Hansgrohe SE (JLT branch)
Swiss Tower, Office #1904
Jumeirah Lakes Towers
Tel: +971 444 80 231
www.hansgrohe-middleeast.com
Feiler
Tell us about your company?
Ernst Feiler laid the foundation for our company in 1928 and since then Feiler turned into the world’s leading producer of genuine, brightly woven chenille and the finest terry with chenille borders.
Today, the traditional family-run company with more than 140 employees is directed by the brother and sister team of Dieter and Dagmar Schwedt. Our unique Feiler chenille products are sold in over 30 countries around the world while our entire production is still located 100% in Germany.
What’s special about chenille?
Genuine Feiler chenille is a truly unique plush fabric made from pure cotton. Each fibre in chenille cloth offers an experience for the senses that no other fabric can equal. Besides its magnificent soft touch, chenille is the only textile allowing designers to generate an identical pattern on both sides of the fabric.
Beyond that, designs can be created out of up to 18 colours, allowing us to produce a distinctive, unique and crafted look, making Feiler chenille bath towels and accessories a great decoration item for luxury homes and baths.
What are your best selling products?
Feiler genuine chenille towels and chenille home accessories such as blankets, cushion covers or throws comprise our best- selling products. Furthermore we do a wonderful children’s and baby’s range of towels, bathrobes and even bibs. They are all colourful, super soft and match with the rest of our range.
What projects have you been involved in?
Privacy is a prime standard for Feiler, so we keep our customer names strictly confidential.
What trends do you see in bathroom textile design?
High class bathroom textiles are becoming more and more design oriented. Away from monochrome, single-coloured terry towels as “article of daily use” to items of daily luxury and pleasure. This trend is perfectly playing in line with our grand chenille collections. One may also see our House of Hackney license collection as perfect proof of how much emerging design trends are heading towards more opulent patterns.
Where do we contact you?
www.feiler.de
c.ruehrschneck@feiler.de
See us an INDEX exhibition, hall 2 booth B36 (German pavilion).
Laufen
Tell us about your company?
Laufen is a Swiss company specialising in premium segment solutions for bathrooms with its headquarters located in Laufen near Basel. Laufen runs eight manufacturing sites in Switzerland, Austria and Czech Republic, and has 1,800 employees and sales offices in 44 countries.
Laufen stands for Swissness, quality and design, offering complete bathroom solutions around the world.
What are your best products in the region?
One of the strengths of Laufen is in its broad product portfolio in terms of design and price as well as its collaborations with leading designers including Konstantin Grcic, Stefano Giovannoni, Ludovica+Roberto Palomba and Toan Nguyen.
Kartell by Laufen continues its growth since its launch in 2013, and this range has been inspired by the iconic design of Kartell together with the quality of Laufen; however, the design classic Il BagnoAlessi One, designed by Stefano Giovannoni, continues to be particularly popular in the region.
What projects have you been involved in?
Laufen works with renowned architects and designers on buildings all over the world including the soon to be opening Mondrian Doha, Radisson Blu Oman, Super 8 Saudi Arabia, Salalah International Airport Oman, the Abdali Mall Jordan and Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Jordan.
What trends do you see in bathroom design?
Slim trends can be seen across the design world but Laufen believes it has set this trend in the bathroom with its innovative SaphirKeramik material giving ceramic unprecedented design possibilities in terms of thin walled shapes and tight radii. Since launching initial products in 2013, which are now being produced on an industrial scale, new ranges from Laufen were launched at ISH, Frankfurt where the trend continues into slim walled bathtubs and furniture.
Where do we find you?
Laufen has sales offices and representatives across the Middle East. Contact Mohamed Barakat, Regional Projects Manager who is based in Dubai, UAE at:mohamed.barakat@laufen.ch.
IDEAL
Tell us about your company?
Ideal Standard is one of the world’s leading providers of innovative bathroom solutions, operating across EMEA. Ideal Standard MENA is focusing on the growth and massive business opportunities in the Middle East, Egypt and Africa. Ideal Standard Gulf is the business entity encapsulating the Middle East area. Our products include high quality ceramic sanitary ware, taps and showering systems, bathing & wellness solutions, as well as furniture and accessories. They are offered under strong international brands: the flagship of the company Ideal Standard, and leading European brands including Jado, Armitage Shanks, Ceramica Dolomite, Porcher and Vidima.
What’s new?
Dea is a new vision for the modern bathroom. World-renowned designer Dick Powell created this range of emotional soft design, delivering the ideal combination of premium quality and aesthetics, comfort and functionality. It consists of ceramics, furniture, bathtubs and harmoniously combines with Melange fittings.
Idealsmart collection of ceramics, fittings, bathtubs and shower trays introduces the grey finish allowing you to create a unique sanctuary, following trends and going beyond classic white.
Ceraplan III is the new award-winning brassware range. The contemporary, soft design and the water and energy saving technologies ensure the IF award champion will enhance the quality feel of your bathroom.
What trends do you see in Bathroom Design in the Middle East?
In a time and age where every day life is stressful, e’ve seen an increasing trend in design and decor geared towards a holistic approach to every day functions.
What projects have you been involved in?
UAE: Akoya by Damac, Burj Al Arab Hotel, Al Jalila Children’s Hospital, Etihad Towers Abu Dhabi. Qatar: Barwa City, Sidra Staff Housing, Al Sadd Handball Stadium. KSA: National Guard Housing, Rocco Forte, King Abdul Aziz University.
How do we contact you?
Ideal Standard Gulf FZCO
Jafza View 18 Building
Office Number LB182604
P.O. Box 261559
Jebel Ali Free Zone, Dubai
Head Offices tel. +971 48895986
Email: IdealStandardGulf@idealstandard.com
www.idealstandardgulf.com
Duravit
Tell us about your company?
The product range of Duravit includes sanitary ceramics, bathroom furniture, shower trays and bathtubs, whirl and wellness systems, shower-toilets, kitchen sinks and accessories. We focus on the forward-looking interaction between useful design and technology that is used intelligently. This results in smart bathrooms that enhance the quality of life. Duravit operates with 35 affiliated companies worldwide and is present in more than 120 countries. For over 10 years, Duravit has a presence in the Middle East and thus ensures a professional support for the clients in the market.
What are your best selling products?
Duravit works with high-profile international designers such as Philippe Starck, EOOS and sieger design, who translate cultural preferences and enduring, international trends into bathroom worlds that transcend regional peculiarities and fashion trends.
What projects have you been involved in?
A selection of our latest projects in the Levant and Gulf areas includes the Burj Khalifa, where Duravit is present in more than 2500 bathrooms. Other well-known projects are the TDIC Villas and apartments, the Sofitel Hotel, the New Doha International Airport or the King Abdallah Financial District as well as the the Ferrari World Experience in Abu Dhabi.
What trends do you see in bathroom design?
We have recognized the general need for comfort and the strong trend towards more individuality. Therefore, Duravit is presenting new bathroom collections that are as unique as their users.
Where do we find you?
Duravit runs three offices in the Middle East:
UAE, Qatar & Oman
Phone: +971 4 427 40 80
info@ae.duravit.com
Lebanon
Phone: +961 1 283429
Saudi Arabia
Phone: +966 12 664 10 38
www.duravit.com