Building better bathrooms
From safety and environmental considerations to design trends and value, five top international bathroom suppliers give the low-down on creating hotel bathrooms that are far better than those of your competitors
In what ways can hotels make the bathroom a safer place for guests?
Thorsten Bies, Villeroy & Boch: Health and safety plays an essential role for both us as the manufacturer, and for hotel operators who understand their responsibility in providing an absolutely safe bathroom environment.
Our bathroom products are made with anti-slip finishings. Our bathtubs, shower trays and tiles are made with a unique Quaryl material that has far better anti-slip performance than acrylic or steel.
Ivan Zupanovic, Laufen: Health and safety is a concern in any bathroom of course, but none more so than in the hotel environment where the wellbeing of guests is paramount.
Laufen products are manufactured to the highest standards for safety and quality, from sanitaryware with soft, rounded edges to taps that can be thermostatically controlled.
Phillip Payne, Dornbracht: Health and safety is paramount when designing bathrooms and selecting materials, especially since electronics have become a more dominant feature in the bathroom.
All of our products are designed, engineered and manufactured in Germany so the quality and competence behind our electronic know-how is of the highest safety standard.
Ben Bryden, Sanipex: Bathrooms are quite often small rooms with confined space; careful planning and the installation of helpful safety features can help to diminish the risk of accidents occurring.
The installation of non-slip tiles inside the bathroom, together with the fitting of grab rails at suitable positions could reduce the risk of nasty falls, as well as choosing bathtubs like the Kaldewei bath with non-slippery surfaces.
Firas Ibrahim, Grohe: Grohe Turbostat technology ensures our thermostats respond to temperature fluctuations in a fraction of a second to prevent scalding. Our digital faucets and showers are low voltage or battery operated and are rigorously tested to meet and exceed all legislative standards within the markets they are sold.
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What are the trendiest bathroom materials for 2012?
Thorsten Bies: Mix ceramic, wood, glass and mosaic for a timeless bathroom design. Natural-looking designs are the most requested in the Middle East.
Ivan Zupanovic: We have just introduced a new ceramic that is lighter, but also allows more precise contours while still being a natural ceramic and retaining the traditional production process.
Phillip Payne: New materials in the bathroom are providing designers with many options to bring warmth into a previously minimalist environment. The use of vibrantly-coloured glass tiles, glass mosaics, braided glass mosaics and stained glass for example, are becoming popular choices for introducing accented tones.
For shower walls, we see more custom designs being used; specially-created mosaics or logos are very popular. For ceramics, we are seeing the return of colour such as bold metallics in black, gold and platinum.
Classic monochrome is back too, with black and white sanitaryware and brassware available. The bathroom is being transformed into a softer space, offering more comfort and a far less clinical ambiance.
Ben Bryden: Granite, marble, natural stone and bronze all age beautifully over time and meet the needs of consumers looking for that natural finish.
Firas Ibrahim: Raw materials such as concrete, oak and glass create a natural ambience through their honesty and simplicity. New directions are being explored through the use of materials such as Corian for its flexibility and versatility. It was traditionally used in sanitary ware but has evolved into furniture allowing designers to create holistic aesthetic concepts.
How can hotels maximise space in a bathroom area?
Thorsten Bies: The key to maximising space is to provide a number of flexible bathroom offerings, and a range of bespoke solutions for the individual space.
Ivan Zupanovic: Wall-hung ceramics offer an effective way of creating at least the illusion of space, as they keep the floor visible and any clutter from pipe-work and plumbing is neatly concealed behind the wall.
Most hotel guests will expect to be able to relax in a bath, but if the space is tight opt for a compact model that still offers a generous depth. Rather than a full shower enclosure, a low-level shower tray with a frameless glass screen opens up the room and enables light to circulate, while ensuring that separate wet- and dry areas are maintained.
The other crucial thing to bear in mind is storage. When away from home guests like to spread out and not have to worry about packing items away after every use. However, lots of clutter will only make the space feel more restricted so opt for clever solutions that maximise storage while not making the room feel too cramped.
Open shelving beneath the washbasin is a good solution that provides convenient storage for keeping items such as toiletries and clean towels within easy reach. It also helps create a luxurious, contemporary look in even the smallest of bathrooms.
Phillip Payne: Our clients tend to regard showering as a high point of the hotel guestroom experience. Therefore, Dornbracht bathrooms are luxurious spaces which entail more not less space.
So why does a shower area need to be isolated, cramped behind a glass door in a dedicated space? The wet area is only wet for a limited time each day. The development of the linear shower drain allows much more design freedom. We are seeing some beautiful bathroom designs come online where the shower area is part of the whole bathroom space. We would like to encourage the design community to keep breaking down the dividing walls and open up these small spaces.
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What are the most popular bathroom design trends?
Thorsten Bies: Bathrooms are becoming more integral to the overall bedroom experience as more are incorporated into the bedroom design, rather than being treated as a separate room. This allows for the space to feel bigger, and for more interesting designs such as free-standing bathtubs and open walk-in showers.
The bathroom is becoming an integral part of the design of any hotel room. With guests paying upwards of US $250 for a stay, they expect to see international, high-quality brands in their hotel room.
Technical features in bathrooms are increasingly important for the “Apple generation”. We fulfil their needs and expectations through a number of collections.
Ivan Zupanovic: One key trend of the contemporary hotel bathroom is the larger washbasin, which is being used more and more as a statement piece in hotel bathrooms big and small.
Washbasins with an extended countertop space in particular provide ample space for guests to keep their essential toiletries to hand on an easy-to-wipe-clean surface.In terms of sanitaryware shapes, sculptural aesthetics are in vogue, with thinner profiles replacing the chunky, angular basins and baths previously seen in hotel bathroom design.
In terms of colour there has also been a shift, although perhaps a less drastic one. While white sanitaryware will forever be the favourite, there is now more call for coloured suites.
These tend to be muted shades such as grey to ensure that it still blends into the overall design, leaving the more daring, brighter colours to be added with accessories if desired. Minimalism and streamlining are buzzwords for the hotel bathroom where less is more.
Phillip Payne: One of the most significant trends we’re seeing in hotel bathroom design is the transition of the environment; from a space for cleansing and grooming into a space for relaxation and rejuvenation. Solid dividing walls are being replaced by glass, with some hotels opting to move elements of the bathroom into the bedroom for a luxurious focal point.
Ben Bryden: We are seeing a move towards smooth, classical and natural-looking products gathering pace. Customers are looking for simple, organic designs that provide a functional and stylish room.
Firas Ibrahim: The bathroom is heading for a major revolution which in the next 10 years will completely transform how we use this environment and interface with water.
Firstly the “bathroom” as we know it today will reposition itself from a functional space for cleaning and grooming to a personal sanctuary for relaxation and wellbeing.
The barriers between the bedroom and the bathroom will dissolve creating a new hybrid space. The space will become more emotional and sensual; introducing ‘cross-over’ materials which will humanise the room and help to facilitate relaxation.
The digital revolution has begun, in the next 10 years digital technology will not only change how we interface with water but it will introduce personal lifestyle and health functions such as diagnostics, which measure and monitor the status of our mental and physical health.
Lighting, projection and sound will bring ‘entertainment’ into the room. One would also expect to see a reduction in the amount of water needed to provide a great experience and secondary uses for the water leaving the room.
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Are hotels demanding environmentally-friendly bathroom solutions?
Thorsten Bies: We do receive requests for these kinds of bathrooms, but the number is relatively low. We do however provide a range of options and anticipate that demand will increase in future.
Ivan Zupanovic: The ecological and ethical value of bathroom products is of growing importance not just for the hotelier who is looking to be more economical and to take care of the environment, but also for many travellers too. Therefore, hotel bathrooms have to provide sophisticated technical solutions that help save water and energy without compromising on comfort.
Laufen employs an environmentally-friendly method of production and deals sparingly with energy and materials at every level. For example, heat produced during the production process is transformed into electricity.
Phillip Payne: The hotel industry is at the forefront of driving environmentally–friendly fit outs that will use significantly less natural resources and, over time, save money.
The water-saving topic is still developing in the region and will only really become effective when legislation is stronger across all sectors of construction, and the wider general public accepts more responsibility for their own consumption.
This is a natural learning curve in any developing region and should be driven by educating everyone, from builders and designers to the end user.
Ben Bryden: More and more hotels see the benefits of eco-friendly bathrooms. The average shower uses 18 litres of water every five minutes. Innovations such as shower heads which expel water mixed with air can save on water consumption. A perfect example is the Doccia Mixa/3 by Bossini.
Thanks to the Venturi technology implemented in Bossini Fitair showers, the water consumption is easily reduced by up to 50% compared with a traditional hand shower. Mixed with air, the water released becomes softer or harder depending on the spray mode.
Firas Ibrahim: Green-building initiatives are gaining momentum in the UAE. The governments in the region have realised the environmental, social and economic benefits associated with the initiative.
Increasing awareness has resulted in many projects across the UAE, as well as new laws that oblige developers to adopt more environmentally-friendly measures in their many different developments.
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Top “green” bathroom products
Omnia GreenGain
Villeroy & Boch’s Omnia GreenGain is the first wall-mounted WC that consumes just 3.5 litres of water per flush. This represents a reduction of 2.5 litres per flush on the normal flushing volume corresponding to a saving of 40%. If the lower flushing volume is selected when using the dual-flush system, the WC will only use two litres of water per flush. The water inlets are designed in such a way that the flush stream towards the front is particularly strong ensuring everything is flushed into the outlet.
Mimo and water-saving
The high-gloss surface of the furniture range of Laufen’s bathroom series Mimo is produced using recycled materials. Laufen’s ceramic experts have also devised ways of reducing water consumption in the WCs. With an enhanced water supply and flushing system, these WCs can be hygienically flushed in compliance with standards with just 4.5 litres of water – instead of the 6 litres customary in conventional WCs.
Dornbracht’s water-saving products
As an international manufacturer of high-quality designer fittings and accessories for bathrooms and kitchens, Dornbracht reduced the average water consumption of all fittings sold by 25% by the end of 2009. It aims to reach a 30% water-saving target in the next three years. Energy and water consumption will be minimised independently of consumer behaviour without affecting the premium quality of the product and water experience.
AQUAeco from Sanipex
Sanipex has recently launched AQUAeco products from Aquazone UK which are focused on water efficiency, meeting a variety of international standards and guidelines. The cistern solutions from this range offer varying wall depths and have already been used in many large residential and institutional projects, according to the firm.
Sanipex also offers a choice of water savers under the new Aquaflex range, also part of Aquazone UK. Its water savers and non-concussive push taps have helped many of our clients achieve LEED, ESTIDAMA or local equivalent water-sustainability standards, Sanipex says.
Grohe jumps for EcoJoy
Grohe took the lead in providing sustainable solutions for water fitouts by introducing the EcoJoy new Technology that reduced the water consumption by 36%.
A water-saving mechanism is the Grohe Eco disc cartridge fitted in taps; which gives the choice between two water flows. The eco disc cartridge provides a level of resistance giving 50% of water flow and by lifting the handle beyond this bite-point, 100% flow is achieved.
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Top space-saving products
Subway 2.0
This bathroom collection from Villeroy & Boch encompasses a wide selection of space-saving, functional products that are designed for use in small spaces, and offer optimal solutions for even unconventional room layouts. The compact, wall-mounted WC can be easily and quickly mounted in place from above with SupraFix compact, a mounting system for which a patent is pending. There are no unattractive assembly components visible.
Geometrics and sculpturing
Laufen bathrooms offer versatile solutions from organic shapes (Palomba Collection) to geometric-designed bathrooms (IlBagnoAlessi Dot) or collections that give the bathroom a sculptural feel (IlBagnoAlessi One) to a more understated look (Lb3, living, form or Laufen pro).
Top tech-savvy bathroom products
More to See + Sound
The bathroom mirror “More to See” is equipped with the premium sound system “+Sound”, developed by Villeroy & Boch in cooperation with a specialist for high-end audio systems. The sound has been optimised for the challenging environment of the bathroom with its smooth, hard surfaces. It has just been awarded the international Plus X Award, in recognition of excellent audio quality, best workmanship, and simple and safe transmission of signals via Bluetooth.
RainSkyE and ATT
Dornbracht are leaders in the digital evolution of the shower experience as demonstrated by RainSkyE and more recently with its ATT product. These products are designed for individual programming of shower choreographies for the ultimate relaxation, rejuvenation or rebalancing experience, according to the company. Three-preprogrammed shower choreographies controlled by the panel shown below offer the user a new type of water experience.
Top trendy products of 2011
Palace and Living Square
Several sanitaryware ranges have been introduced by Laufen especially for the hotel sector, including Palace and Living Square. Featuring smooth generous surfaces and clearly defined contours, the elegant washbasins in both of these ranges are distinctively stylish but also highly practical. Both washbasins can be combined with a ceramic shelf cut to the same dimensions, or with a vanity unit, especially suited for hotel requirements.
IlbagnoAlessi One
Forming a key part of the designer IlbagnoAlessi One collection from Laufen is a beautiful countertop washbasin, which is fired in one piece and features gentle curves that give the basin its wave-like appearance.
While the washbasin offers a luxuriously deep bathing space, the ceramic countertop provides the ideal spot for storing essential toiletries. effortlessly wiped clean.
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Getting to know you: Hotelier's expert panel
Laufen
Ivan Zupanovic, head of international project sales & export, Laufen
With its headquarters in Switzerland, Laufen is an internationally-renowned manufacturer of complete bathroom solutions, with an extensive portfolio of integrated products including sanitaryware, bathroom furniture, bathtubs, bathroom accessories and brassware.
The original company foundations were built on the manufacture of ceramics and it has now been casting this material into washbasins, bidets and toilets for more than 110 years.
Dornbracht
Phillip Payne, general manager – Middle East, Dornbracht
Aloys F. Dornbracht GmbH & Co. KG, which has its head office in Iserlohn, is an international producer of high-quality designer fittings and accessories designed for the bathroom and kitchen.
The family company was founded in 1950 and is now led by third-generation brothers Andreas and Matthias Dornbracht. Andreas is responsible for marketing and sales, while Matthias is in charge of production, purchasing and logistics. The company is active right across the globe with approximately 800 employees.
Villeroy & Boch
Thorsten Bies, sales director NMEA and India, bath, wellness and tiles, Villeroy & Boch
With its head office in Mettlach, Germany, Villeroy & Boch has production plants located in Europe, Mexico and Thailand.
The product range includes articles from three domains: bathroom and wellness, tableware, and tiles. Having clocked up 260 years of company history, today Villeroy & Boch is a European Lifestyle brand active in 125 countries.
Sanipex Group
Ben Bryden, specification director, Sanipex
A market-leading supplier of quality bathrooms, tiles and plumbing across the Middle East, Central and South Asia and the Levant, Sanipex represents 50 global manufacturers. It distributes products in more than 20 countries through four trading divisions: Sanipex Projects, Bagno Design luxury retail showrooms, Sanipex Trade and Aquazone Plumbing Solutions.
Grohe
Firas Ibrahim, project channel manager - lower Gulf, Grohe
A global brand for sanitary products and systems, Grohe is headquartered in Hemer with its corporate centre in Düsseldorf. It currently employs 5000 people worldwide. Grohe has six production plants, namely in Portugal, Thailand and Canada. The company currently generates 82% of its sales outside Germany.