WERNER AISSLINGER
…on the importance of production know-how and creative context
THE BIG REVEAL
Meet the 2024 designerati awards contenders
Maximising materials for a fantasy island
KITCHENS BATHROOMS INTERIORS
HIX 2024
Showcasing innovative ideas for the hotel high life
WE ABSOLUTELY CANNOT WAIT to welcome the K&B sector’s finest creatives along to City Central at the HAC in London on 14 November for the 22nd edition of the designerati awards
While the standard of entries is always high, we’re especially excited to reveal the winners from this year’s excellent crop of kitchen and bathroom designs, each of which will be taking home one of our iconic ‘d’ trophies to proudly display in their showroom or studio. All finalists should feel rightly proud of their achievement in being selected as one of the very best in their industry though, and for playing their part in inspiring others with the bold vision and flair that they have delivered for their clients.
Manufacturers will also be getting the credit they deserve for creating the innovative products that enable great kitchen designs to really hit the heights. We’ve published the longlist of products that are in the frame, with the ultimate gold winners across the kitchen, bathroom and material categories set to be revealed on the night.
You can see the full list of project and product finalists in this issue (see page 12) and we look forward to welcoming you to what is always one of the highlights of the K&B design calendar. If you can’t make it along to our big night out, be sure to keep a close eye on our socials and our website at designerati.co.uk to find out all of this year’s winners – and don’t miss our awards special issue next month too.
In the meantime, we wish the very best of luck to all of our brilliant finalists!
Martin Allen-Smith Editor, designerati
Meet the designerati team
EDITORIAL
Martin Allen-Smith, Editorial Director martin@designerati.co.uk
ADVERTISING
Clara Perry, Commercial Director clara@digitalsavvymedia.co.uk
MARKETING
Abby Sale, Marketing Apprentice abby@digitalsavvymedia.co.uk
ART DIRECTION & PRINT DESIGN
Creative Fabrik
SUBSCRIPTIONS
To subscribe to designerati please contact: subscriptions@digitalsavvymedia.co.uk 01206 696410 designerati.co.uk/subscribe
Published monthly by Digital Savvy Media Ltd (Company reg. 14728898) The Colchester Centre, Hawkins Road, Colchester, Essex, CO2 8JX digitalsavvymedia.co.uk
November 2024 - Issue 283
Our round-up of the people, products, and places that matter from across K&B design, including fresh basin options from Kast, a steely new look for Bertazzoni, and Utopia’s Chic addition to its furniture range
See our full line-up of finalists as we look ahead to the highlight of the K&B design calendar when this year’s winners will be revealed
Blending heritage and modernity, this kitchen design by Grid Thirteen brings fresh energy to a historic stone property tailored for modern living
Our latest round-up of the kitchen and bathroom products that all designers should have in their armoury
Now working on the latest products in a long-term partnership with bathroom brand Kaldewei, we talk to Werner Aisslinger about the importance of minimalism, production know-how, and creative context
Furniture brand Henge has carved out some natural beauty for the kitchen with its striking Ozone island
HIX LDN returns to London’s Business Design Centre this month (27-28 November), promising a focus on the design ideas that help hospitality spaces create meaningful connections
With such a large area to work with, a carefully composed kitchen design was needed that could blend symmetry, reflective accents, and crafted details to create a classic yet bold space
German brand Duravit has revealed new additions to its D-Code collection, designed by long-term creative collaborators Sieger Design to make bathroom design simpler
Simplicity at scale: London’s Elizabeth Line wins the 2024 RIBA Stirling Prize
Concrete washbasin brand Kast has added three new larger models to its range. The Brin model features curved edges and a broad, shallow bowl, while Lars has a minimalist design with a softly sculpted offset bowl and extended vanity area, available in left or right orientation.
Lastly, Rue offers a ribbed texture, deep bowl, and recessed vanity area for added depth and practical surface space. All three are compatible with wall or deckmounted taps and standard unslotted wastes and can be selected from a palette of 28 colours. Kast / kastconcretebasins.com
Bathroom brand Scudo has expanded its metallic Vibe radiator collection to include new metallic finishes. The choice has been enhanced with the addition of gunmetal and brushed bronze options to accompany the Vibe’s existing brushed brass finish.
Peter Woodward, Marketing Manager at Scudo owner Harrison Bathrooms, said:
“Consumers are becoming bolder and are embracing metallic finishes in their bathrooms to inject personality into bathroom design. Coordinating these radiators with other hardware elements – such as taps, showerheads, towel bars and robe hooks – creates a cohesive look.”
Scudo / scudo.co.uk
Furniture brand Utopia has added a new modular collection to its offering. Key features of the new Chic range include gently curved contours, a choice of 19 decors including African Rose and Alpine Green, two brand new super matt soft touch colours, new functionality and a ceramic range designed specifically to complement the rounded lines of the furniture.
Designed, developed and manufactured in the UK, each piece is based around a unifying aesthetic of curves, planes and sweeping ceramics, all available in unicolour décors. There is also the option of adding decorative legs to Chic cabinets for an extra style dimension and to create a more classic look.
Helen Clark, Head of Marketing at Utopia, said: “Chic is a very exciting new proposition from Utopia. It’s beautiful, practical and versatile, providing our retail partners with a whole host of design possibilities but at the same time simple to specify and order. Personalisation is key to the collection with countless opportunities for homeowners to create a unique look.”
Utopia Furniture / utopiagroup.com
Italian kitchen appliance manufacturer Bertazzoni has launched a fully stainless steel option for its Heritage Series induction range cookers. Previously only available in back and ivory finishes, the new aesthetic is available in 120cm or 90cm versions and also with gas or induction cooktops.
With double multifunction oven, the HER125I3EXT has an induction cooktop and griddle and two 69 litre ovens. Both ovens feature 11 different cooking functions, as well as a builtin thermometer to ensure precision cooking and professional performance, in the main oven cavity. The range cooker can be further enhanced with the optional Collezione Metalli – a décor set to further accentuate the finials, knobs and handles in gold-plated, copper-plated or black nickel-plated options.
Maurizio Severgnini, Managing Director at Bertazzoni UK, said: “The Heritage Series is a much-loved collection of ours and we wanted to further enhance its appeal with a simple but effective aesthetic. Whilst stainless steel-only finishes may not be a new concept, these new models have Bertazzoni’s inimitable design elements styled alongside time-honoured production methods, which culminate in an unrivalled offering for discerning consumers.” Bertazzoni / uk.bertazzoni.com
The winners of the 2024 designerati awards will be revealed at a glittering awards event this month, showcasing the very best kitchen and bathroom designers from the UK and around the world…
he finalists across all categories of the 2024 designerati awards are set to find out the full results this month, following an exacting judging process to assess the top quality entries from the very best K&B designers, interior designers, and architects across
the UK and beyond.
Martin Allen-Smith, Editor of designerati, said: “It’s been another bumper crop of superb entries for the designerati awards this year. Huge thanks to everyone who took the time to submit their projects, and congratulations to all of our very deserving finalists. The winners will be revealed very
Bathroom Designer of the Year (Under £15k)
Babette & Dorian Bowen, Project One
Alison Evans, Obsidian Interiors
Adam Wollerton, Bathroom & Kitchen Eleven
Bathroom Designer of the Year (Over £15k)
Muhammad Ahmed, ROCCIA
Mark Fowdon, Studio One South West
Sophie Harrold, Simply Bathrooms
Super Luxe Bathroom Design of the Year
Carla Braun, Day True
Pippa Paton, Pippa Paton Design
Ami Wheatland, Sovereign Bathrooms Winchester
Kitchen Designer of the Year (Under £40k)
Manuel Fusco, Point 5 Kitchens
Tim Higham, Higham Furniture
Richard Hubble, Hubble Interiors
Kitchen Designer of the Year (Over £40k)
Sarah Eynon, Alistair Fleming Design
Jaye Garcia, The Myers Touch
Jamie Harding, Et Lorem
Super Luxe Kitchen Design of the Year
Sarah Eynon, Alistair Fleming Design
Barty Rowland-Orme, Kitchens by Holloways
Natasha Wegrzyn/Kevin Robertson, Poggenpohl & Jess Palmer/Mark Golding, GoldenMeanDesigns
New Designer of the Year
Sam Coventry, Kitchen Connection of Ascot Rhyanne Khetia, Obsidian Interiors
Lois Riley, Mowlem & Co
British Design & Manufacturing Award
Al Bruce, Olive & Barr
Charlie Smallbone, Ledbury Studio
Paul Welburn, Roundhouse Design
International Design Award
Alina Cuchiliuc, Cube Dentro
Davinia Sutton, Detail by Davinia Sutton
Celia Visser, Celia Visser Design
Showroom of the Year
Kitchens Etc Design Studio, Fakenham
Leicht Contracts, London
Poggenpohl by South West Design, Bath
Ripples Tunbridge Wells
Headline Sponsor
soon and we look forward to celebrating the very best in design talent from across the UK kitchen and bathroom industry at City Central at the HAC in London on 14 November.”
As well as the project categories, the gold winners of this year’s Product Innovation Awards will also be announced, with the very best new products from across the K&B sector ready to be acknowledged.
Winners for all categories will be announced on 14 November
2024 at the designerati awards which will take place at City Central at the HAC in the City of London. Very limited places remain to attend this year’s event, with tickets available to book by visiting the awards website.
Allen-Smith added: “A huge thank you to everyone who took the time to enter their finest projects and innovative products this year – we wish all of our finalists the very best of luck!” designerati awards 2024 / designeratiawards.co.uk
Sustainability Sponsor
Abode in the Community by ABODE
Mission Zero Emissions by ROTPUNKT
Bridging the Skills Gap by SIMON ACRES GROUP
Vita Nova by CDUK
Martin Jones, Cwtch Haus
Neil & Sophie Harrold, Simply Bathrooms
Samuel Payne, Ornate Kitchens & Interiors
BATHROOM PRODUCT OF THE
Nara by BAGNODESIGN
AW23 Bathroom Collection by CLEARWATER INTERIORS
Tambour by CROSSWATER
Aquahalo by DORNBRACHT
Aurena by DURAVIT
Ventaglio by GESSI
Incanto Arte by GRAFF
EauZone Arch Wet Room Panel by MATKI
RAK-Ingot by RAK CERAMICS
Seros by VICTORIA + ALBERT BATHS
Bora Cool by BORA Virtus 90cm Oven by ELICA BlackSteel by LIEBHERR
KMDA7876 Matt Black Induction Hob by MIELE
Prato Workstation Sink by RANGEMASTER
RørosHetta Groove SENSE Cooker Hood by ROROSHETTA
Blast Chiller by SMEG
Fjord Handleless Kitchen Range by SOLA KITCHENS
Westin 360 HEPA Recirculation Technology by WESTIN
HydroTap Celsius Plus All-In-One Pull-Out by ZIP
WATER
MATERIAL PRODUCT OF THE YEAR
Amtico Décor x National Trust Collection by AMTICO
Signature Collection by AMTICO
Zenith by BUSHBOARD
Mineral Surfaces by CAESARSTONE
SilestoneXM by COSENTINO Quadrato by CRL
Cleaf Decorative Surfaces from JAMES LATHAM
KönigCeramic Calacatta Antico by KONIGCERAMIC twO by LAMINAM Calacatta Roma by NEOLITH
Blending heritage and modernity, this kitchen design by Grid Thirteen brings fresh energy to a historic stone property tailored for modern living
Designer Rebecca Barker from Leeds-based Grid Thirteen created a contemporary kitchen for a couple living in a stone-built, period village property in North Leeds. The home had been internally remodelled and extended by the current owners to better suit modern living, with a new layout and extension that included the design of a new kitchen.
The couple, who have two children, wanted a stylish, functional, and family-focused open-plan kitchen, diner, and snug space. They sought a design that would be durable for heavy use and practical for daily routines. They also wanted a kitchen that would work for family gatherings and entertaining guests, with a seamless connection to the outdoor terrace. Barker designed a scheme that had a mix of textures,
warmer elements, and brass accents to bring warmth and sophistication to the space. She chose contemporary cabinetry from SieMatic’s SLX furniture collection in a Darjeeling Black imitation wood finish to create a bold and striking look. Central to the design is an expansive 5m-wide island with integrated lighting accents, providing a central place for the family to gather. The island features durable sintered stone Kelya worktops from Dekton, plenty
of seating, generous space for food preparation and family baking and is easy to clean and maintain. The integrated hob and
downdraft extraction allow for a minimal look, while the prep sink ensures maximum functionality. The surrounding SLX cabinetry
was chosen to match the island and was segmented to cater to different tasks. This includes a breakfast cabinet for the children away from the cooking zone, a drinks area conveniently located near the dining area for entertaining, and an adjoining pantry to keep a well-stocked food supply. The SLX furniture also features an illuminated recess channel, enhancing the room’s atmosphere and creating a striking feature.
A feature fireplace was integrated to divide the snug and dining areas, establishing distinct zones while maintaining a sense of flow and connection in the space. The dark imitation wood finish adds depth and contrast against the light porcelain marble floors.
The kitchen backsplash matches the worktop, and a tinted mirror is included in the bar area and media unit. The design also features Xtone and wood veneer hub wall cladding, polished plaster on the chimney breast and Tom Dixon’s Melt pendants over the dining table, adding a touch of luxury and personalised style to the space.
Included in the high-quality specification, the kitchen is equipped with Liebherr and Siemens appliances, a BORA hob and extraction system and a Quooker tap, while Lark Architects and Aveyard bespoke designed the internal doors, pantry, and fitted furniture in the rest of the home.
Grid Thirteen / gridthirteen.co.uk
OUR LATEST ROUND-UP OF SOME KITCHEN AND BATHROOM PRODUCTS THAT ALL DESIGNERS SHOULD HAVE IN
Kitchen water place specialist BLANCO has recently launched CHOICE, which it says is the first drinks system of its kind in the UK, revolutionising homeowners’ water experience.
The platform offers sparkling, boiling, filtered chilled or unfiltered water, for a versatile solution with options catering to every taste. Innovative and space-saving, the smart new system allows customisation, precisely controlling the temperature, bubbles or quantity of the water, all via the interface or new BLANCO UNIT app.
BLANCO’s new, two-jet CHOICE Icona has separate outlets for drinking water and regular water, ensuring that there is no contamination when delivering different water choices. The Icona tap features an intuitive touch control, with a colour coded LED light ring to indicate boiling, still and sparkling preferences, all at chosen temperatures. Plus, a measuring function ensures reduced water consumption by delivering exactly the amount of filtered water needed.
The CHOICE Icona tap is available in brushed stainless steel, satin dark steel, black matt and satin gold and can be combined with matching sink components like InFino sets and soap dispensers to provide colour matching from sink to tap.
Designers can combine CHOICE with the ETAGON 500-U sink in a choice of eight Silgranit colours, to create a multipurpose workstation. This sink comes with a set of multi-functional rails to create three working levels so that the user can do multiple tasks around the sink at the same time. The SELECT II 40/2 Combi waste and organisation system can also be added, which sits neatly next to the CHOICE.All water conditioning unit. It provides good access for changing the filter or CO2 cartridges and has a shelf above it for storage of new cartridges. Lastly, the Orga shelf offers additional space in the base cabinet to store sink utensils such as brushes, sponges, and waste bags, rounding off this multi-functional BLANCO UNIT.
BLANCO / blanco.co.uk
Manufactured in Germany by Hettich, WingLine L aims to bring a fresh and innovative approach to flexible storage in the kitchen and bedroom, but also in the office or any living space.
These bi-folding doors are the latest addition to Hettich’s sliding and folding doors range, offering a sleek and elegant solution which creates a panorama of the cabinet’s contents (up to 6 sqm), ensuring that everything is visible and accessible, from a gin bar to hanging space for clothes.
With handleless, push/pullto-move technology, opening WingLine L comes with optimised running performance, soft
opening and closing operation, and without any distracting bottom-panel profile, making it a versatile all-rounder throughout the home.
In multi-functional spaces encompassing kitchen areas and working-from-home for example, WingLine L can bring food preparation zones, appliances or workstations into action or hide them from view with minimal effort.
WingLine L can be experienced at Hettich UK’s new Innovation and Training Centre at its headquarters near Manchester’s Media City UK, where the brand’s products are arranged thematically by use and application. The Training Centre provides hands-on education and instruction for fitters and manufacturers in the practical aspects of using Hettich’s products to create unique interiors.
Hettich / bit.ly/4dL1EyH
The ProofVision 24-inch waterproof bathroom television (PVB24BW) benefits from built-in Wi-Fi connectivity, Freeview HD and WebOS-powered Smart TV functionality to easily access Netflix, Apple TV+, Disney+ and Amazon Prime.
Finished in black and designed to be seamlessly embedded into the bathroom wall for a sleek appearance, the ProofVision smart television offers designers the opportunity to include a luxury entertainment option within their bathroom plans.
The premium ProofVision television boasts a 1080p HD display for a crystal-clear picture and built-in vibration speakers that project a high-quality sound. The innovative model also benefits from a heated screen to minimise misting and
condensation. Also available in screen sizes of 19 or 43 inches, to suit compact spaces and spastyle bathrooms, and two other finishes (white or mirrored), the IP65 rated1 ProofVision televisions enable users to immerse themselves in their favourite shows, music, or movies, with entertainment built specifically for high-moisture environments.
ProofVision specialises in providing high-quality, innovative waterproof technology, designed to make life more convenient and enjoyable. Also available from ProofVision is the in-wall electric toothbrush charger with shaver socket (PV12P) that is compatible with Oral-B electric toothbrushes2. The unique electrical accessory allows users to charge their toothbrush and electric shaver together, saving the time and hassle of charging
them individually and reducing clutter in the bathroom.
To ensure designers can offer a product to complement their customers’ bathroom décor, the ProofVision in-wall charger is customisable too. The standard white faceplate can easily be changed for either a polished steel, brushed steel, matt black or brushed brass finish3. The ProofVision TBCharge range also includes a single charger (PV10P) and a dual charger (PV11P).
ProofVision / proofvision.co.uk
Tap brand QETTLE has launched boiling water and mixer tap bundles of its British-made Signature range. The bundles, which can be configured to suit, include a QETTLE Signature Modern, Classic or Mini 100°C boiling water tap, with a matching Signature Modern or Classic Mixer tap.
The Signature Mixer taps are available in modern or classic styles, with a choice of single or dual handles, round or square spouts and in coloured finishes, as well as standard, buffed stainless steel.
QETTLE’s Alexandra Rowe said: “It’s very common for customers to want to coordinate their kitchen taps, but when it comes to finding a standard mixer tap that complements a boiling water tap, there’s not much to choose from. Our QETTLE bundles allow for a mixer tap on a smaller prep sink or in a utility space to be perfectly matched to a QETTLE 100°C boiling water tap.”
Qettle / qettle.com
Bathroom brand Duravit is celebrating the 30th anniversary of its Starck Barrel with a re-interpretation of the Philippe Starck-designed classic using c-bonded technology to
produce a more modern look, without losing any of the key characteristics of the original.
The colour variants extend to the wash bowls with matt and gloss black being introduced, in addition to a wide range of furniture handles colour options that can be co-ordinated with the taps. Choices include Chrome, Diamond Black, Brushed Stainless Steel, Brushed Bronze and Polished Gold.
Starck said: “This re-edition is more an uplift rather than a reinterpretation. We kept the same minimal and essential design that comes from the early ages of humanity. The barrel is a bucket, the simplest and most efficient means for humans to store and use water in their
homes. A timeless bucket, now treated with the latest technology and rigor with new innovative materials, elegant finishes and a wide range of colour combinations.”
Duravit / duravit.co.uk
InSinkErator’s Next Generation food waste disposers are now available to designers and specifiers, bringing the latest in kitchen convenience and innovation to design and redevelopment projects across the UK
Following the invention of the first food waste disposer by John W. Hammes in 1927, the InSinkErator brand was founded in 1938. This year, it reaches the latest milestone in its journey after continuously honing its products to offer the very best solution to users.
With the new Next Generation range now here to showcase enhanced capabilities, the brand says there has never been a better time to introduce a food waste disposer to the kitchen and reap the benefits.
InSinkErator’s Next Generation products have been created with
modern spaces in mind and are able to tackle more food waste than ever before. By simply running the tap, activating the disposer and gradually feeding in scraps, the product takes care of leftovers with little fuss.
The new Advanced and Power Series feature InSinkErator’s re-engineered MultiGrind Technology, which take them to the next level in terms of efficiency by offering different levels of grind capability.
The top-of-the-range Evolution Plus 1000SR (available from January 2025) has been completely redesigned and equipped with a more powerful
1HP motor, whilst reducing the diameter of the overall unit from 23.4cm to a more compact 20.9cm, enabling it to fit in smaller spaces. This product offers a four-stage grind which allows it to tackle the toughest of scraps.
The product also has SoundSeal Technology to ensure that it harnesses this new power in a quiet manner. A quiet collar sink baffle, anti-vibration mount, sound jacket and anti-vibration tailpipe coupler all combine to make it the quietest option in the collection.
Making the most of a kitchen space is crucial, and highperformance food waste disposers can be a real asset when it comes to optimisation; out of sight, taking up very little
Series which are designed for different needs, but all remain hidden helpers in the kitchen.
The brand has targeted a revitalised look and feel this year through the ‘It’s This Easy’ campaign. Aimed to inspire curiosity and educate how food waste disposers can help to make everyday tasks much easier, the fresh appearance has simplicity at its heart and has acted as a springboard for the brand’s Next Generation products in the kitchen appliance market. The creative was debuted earlier this year at KBB 2024 at the NEC Birmingham, along with a sneak preview of the new waste disposers and the brand’s instant hot water taps.
waste in a way that is quick, easy and satisfying. Many who have owned or used an InSinkErator food waste disposer see it as ‘must-have’ for the kitchen and, once they have the product in their home, they simply don’t want to ever be without it.”
Munden added: “The launch is supported by our ‘It’s This Easy’ brand refresh and strong consumer digital activation campaign, designed to appeal to customers and demonstrate the simplicity of our products, whilst also supporting our retailer partners by driving footfall to stores. We have had a busy year and it’s an exciting time for the company – we look forward to speaking further about these products to the design community in the coming weeks and months.”
An InSinkErator food waste disposer offers a complementary solution to managing food waste. The brand advises that consumers compost their inedible food waste if they can and, where this is not possible, separate and recycle food waste with a food caddy.
InSinkErator / insinkerator.co.uk
Ashley Munden, Managing Director EMEA, InSinkErator, said: “Our Next Generation is the latest step in a 90+ year journey for InSinkErator food waste disposers. We’re proud to launch these new products and provide kitchen specifiers with the
“Our new products suit the busy lifestyle
removing the chore of managing messy food
Now working on the latest products in a long-term collaboration with bathroom brand Kaldewei, we talk to Werner Aisslinger about the importance of minimalism, production know-how, and creative context
Please tell us a little about your work with Kaldewei.
The first presentation we worked on together was in 2015 when we worked on some future prototypes. One was called Tricolore, a bathtub with three colour levels, and the other was called Grid. That was a metal frame structure but this was not for the market, it was more of a showcase of ideas and capabilities.
This formal collaboration began in 2015 but in fact I had known Franz Kaldewei [CEO and fourth generation of family ownership] since around 2011. He visited my studio and it was around the time he started to take over responsibility for the business so we got to know each other over quite a few years.
After the prototype projects, we developed the Superplan
Zero shower tray which was the first product that came to the market, followed by the Nueva washbasin and the Flowline shower drainage system.
drivers behind new product development between you
As a German company, Kaldewei does not tend to put huge numbers of products in the market like other brands do. They take longer to create and engineer things. It’s not trendsbased, it is more of a staged programme and that often starts with pure concepts. As a designer, you always want pieces going into production because when it’s just to be photographed or displayed on a stand at a fair, it’s nice to contribute to a design study or
to expand horizons, but finally you want users to be able to use your product in reality.
So that’s the goal. It’s always better to work on a real engineered product that just on a study, but both are interesting, not least because of the material we are working with here. Steel enable production makes things complicated – with a plastic bathtub or shower tray, you can do pretty much what you want because it’s just the shape that counts. At Kaldewei, there is also so much more to think about in terms of production and tooling cost, and the actual ability to achieve the edges and radiuses using the steel enamel process.
As a designer, you have to go very deep into the production technology. They have software that simulates the process so that you can understand what happens to the steel that starts off at perhaps 2.7mm but which
after moulding can be only 1.5mm. The company offers a 30-year warranty so it’s vital that the strong and weak points are completely understood in any design.
How has the focus on sustainability changed your overall approach to the creative process?
Growing up in Germany, household recycling has always been a part of life. Germans always did this very seriously while in other countries I think it was perhaps not seen as quite so important. So this way of thinking was always part of our learning and socialisation.
In 2011, we worked with Morozo and chemical company BASF to create the first compostable monobloc chair. The Hemp Chair [of which one
of five prototypes can be found in London’s V&A Museum] was first shown in Milan and was a very early study of its type, using a type of glue that works with natural fibres. It was one of the first products of its type to really focus on the idea of total sustainability.
Nowadays, everyone is forced in this direction anyway as a result of regulations, or also as a push from the consumer to be more sustainable. Every manufacturer is under stress to create a more sustainable production environment, but it’s vital to look at it as broadly as possible. It’s not only about using a nice material, it is much more complex than that. You have to consider the overall footprint, the packaging, the transportation, the supply chain and countless other things.
The designer cannot always make everything right. I cannot
tell a manufacturer to change their entire process to make it more sustainable because it could render the process unworkable. Instead, you simply have to do your best in your role as a designer – do it the most sustainable way that you can do within this bigger picture.
Given the long-lasting attributes of the material, how do you as a designer ensure that your idea has the longevity in terms of aesthetics? As well as being built-to-last, it also has to still look the part of course. That’s what a designer or architect has to bring to the process. They have to offer a unique perspective,
otherwise you could do it as an AI design and just ask the software to design the coolest, trendiest design for 2024. Often it is about taking some time to consider what made products of the past become ‘design classics’, whether furniture, bathroom products, or cars.
For me, it is also about asking questions about minimalism. In the bathroom context, this is important because you don’t want to be in a world with sharp or pointed edges, so minimalism tends towards an organic way of thinking, with flowing lines and organic shapes.
You can also be minimal like Japanese art – it’s maybe more rounded and organic than western art but it’s still minimal. Ultimately, as a designer, you need to tap in to your expertise and experience over the years you’ve worked in this field.
A lot of the work of our studio is in contract and hospitality interior architects and when designing products, we see not only the product in isolation but also the needs of the space. There is more of a spatial awareness because of our other work, and this informs our approach to creating a single product.
Over time, I’ve become more and more interested in this way of thinking. What does a space need? Is it daylight, artificial light, materials, textures, finishes, tiles, stones?
I think a closer awareness of this is an advantage for me nowadays because when I was younger, as a designer I would usually just visualise the single object in isolation in front of a white photo studio wall. Now I don’t see the piece anymore, I see how it works together with everything else.
What is next in the pipeline for your collaboration with Kaldewei?
We have worked together on bathtubs, showers, and washplaces, and the next step is to develop another product category that we have not done before. It is one in which there is no existing line for us so it’s really exciting to discuss how best to build that up.
Over the years, we have talked about many ideas but not necessarily every one of them ends up going into production. Kaldewei is not a brand that is compelled to launch countless new designs onto the market – they come only with real, new solutions. Kaldewei / kaldewei.co.uk
Studio Aisslinger / aisslinger.de
Architect and designer WERNER AISSLINGER was born in Germany in 1964. After completing his studies at the Hochschule der Künste in Berlin, he worked as a freelancer for Ron Arad and Jasper Morrison. In 1993, he opened his own Berlin-based studio specialising in brand design, design concepts and brand architecture. One of the figureheads of a new era of German design, Aisslinger’s multidisciplinary work is futuristic, flexible and modular. As well as Kaldewei, he has worked with brands such as Hansgrohe, Cappellini, Vitra, Lorenz and Mercedes Benz.
Furniture brand Henge has carved out some natural beauty for the kitchen with its striking Ozone island
An attention-grabbing monolith formed by two faceted blocks of Breccia Medicea natural stone, Ozone is a design by collaborator Massimo Castagna
The surface has a velvety pearly pink pigmentation and gives texture to an overall design characterized by clean and straight lines. The Ozone kitchen is built using stones unique to the Henge brand and offers options with a single or double island configuration.
Italian-born designer
MASSIMO CASTAGNA founded AD Architecture Studio in 1986 and has worked across architecture, interior and product design projects. His output aims to achieve a balance between form, material and craftsmanship, threading together the essence of ‘made in Italy’.
Castagna’s designs have featured in international museums including the Saatchi Gallery in London and New York’s MoMA. Since 2000, he has also been creative director for a number of Italian brands, including Minotti, Henge, Tonelli Design and Rossana. AD Architettura / Architettura.com
The worktop includes appliance spaces compatible with Bora and Gaggenau worktops.
Drawers are in heat-treated plywood with electric soft opening and closing mechanism. Available options include Oak Thermo Wood and Swamp Olive Ash, while the carcass is a matt black plywood, finished with a plinth in black burnished steel.
Henge says that sizes can be fully customised, with handcrafting techniques ensuring variations in the marble, metal or wood work finishes, making each piece unique.
Henge / henge07.com
HIX LDN RETURNS TO LONDON’S BUSINESS DESIGN CENTRE THIS MONTH (27-28 NOVEMBER), PROMISING A FOCUS ON THE DESIGN IDEAS THAT HELP HOSPITALITY SPACES CREATE MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS…
ringing the hospitality design community together for two days of networking, talks, installations, and an exhibition of over 200 interior design brands, HIX will again aim to provide plenty of inspiration for anyone working in the sector.
Last year, HIX welcomed 4,280 guests, including architects, designers, operators, developers, investors, project managers, and specifiers and more. The theme for this year’s HIX – ‘a sense of place’ –explores the unique connections that exist between a hotel and the area it serves, whether that happens to be a specific building, a neighbourhood, a district or an entire city. As guests seek out increasingly authentic localised experiences, tapping into these connections has become a key marker of both commercial and cultural success. As such, designers have been tasked with facilitating organic, sustainable relationships with close-knit surrounding communities.
Featuring a curated selection of 200 design brands, the HIX showfloor includes representatives from the bathroom, surfaces,
technology, furnishing and fabric sectors in a line-up that includes GROHE, Laufen, Roca, Hansgrohe, Dornbracht, Bagnodesign and Crosswater, among others.
A whole range of discussion topics will be covered during the talks programme which runs throughout the event. How is the rise of responsible tourism changing hotel design? Is F&B the key to unlocking an authentic local experience? Will hotels evolve to be more like homes? The agenda for this year’s HIX Talks programme asks the big hotel design questions and features a lineup of the industry’s key figures from major hotel brands and from across the supply chain.
Running parallel, a newlylaunched series of breakout talks curated by HIX partners will complement the main programme with discussions centred around branding, investment and the future of travel. Taking place on the Gallery Stage, these breakout sessions include panels, presentations and intimate oneon-one chats with the people and perspectives shaping the future of hotel design.
HIX 2024 / hixevent.com
Right: A black oak wood worktop joined the two islands together while the mirrored splashback brought in an element of light and depth
Below: The colour scheme featured Farrow and Ball Wevet on the main run, complimented by Little Greene’s Lamp Black, using a soft contrast between light cabinetry and the dark painted island
Photography: Nick Smith
With such a large area to work with, a carefully composed kitchen design was needed that could blend symmetry, reflective accents, and crafted details to create a classic yet bold space
The client initially considered buying a kitchen online but decided to visit the Sheraton Interiors showroom, despite the distance, and immediately fell in love with the design – particularly the island crafted by Mark Hassett, Senior Designer – as they were having trouble figuring out on how to integrate a kitchen into such a large space.
They were keen on symmetry and liked the idea of including glass and mirror to break up the cabinetry and not just make it look like a run of units. They wanted a classic yet striking kitchen with features like a bookmatched splashback, integrated bar, and a sense of balance throughout.
“Achieving symmetry was one of the most rewarding challenges,” Hassett explained, “especially when it came to the placement of the main sink. It worked best situating it on the side, allowing us to maintain the visual harmony that was so important to the overall design.”
The kitchen includes an integrated bar on the end with mirrored splashback and separate sink, and the two bi-fold units on either side of the cooker providing easy access while preserving the clean lines of the space.
Worktops included Silestone Ethereal Glow and a polished
Right: Symmetry was important for the client, who wanted a classic yet striking kitchen with an overall sense of balance
Below: The configuration enabled a feature-packed design that played to the large proportions of the space
Photography: Nick Smith
Infinity Calacatta Hermitage surface. The main Caple sink is accompanied by a Quooker Pro3 Fusion Round in gold, with a secondary bar sink by 1810 and Caple tap. Handles on the furniture are by Hendel and Hendel, and appliances are by Bosch.
The colour scheme chosen was classically beautiful, Farrow and Ball Wevet on the main run, complimented by Little Greene’s Lamp Black, using a soft contrast between light cabinetry and the dark, richly painted island, complimented with brass hardware and stained
dark oak internal drawers. The black oak wood worktop joined the two islands together while the mirrored splashback brought in an element of light and depth that the client absolutely loved.
Hassett said: “Working with them was a delight, as they had a clear vision but were also open to creative ideas, which made the collaboration truly rewarding. The highlight of this project was finding that perfect balance between classical elegance with a modern twist.”
Sheraton Interiors / sheratoninteriors.co.uk
“The highlight of this project was finding that perfect balance between classical elegance with a modern twist”
The Kbsa’s annual conference and awards takes place this month (9 October, The Belfry Hotel & Resort, Sutton Coldfield), with the theme of ‘empowering & enhancing excellence’…
German brand Duravit has revealed new additions to its D-Code collection, designed by long-term creative collaborators Sieger Design to make bathroom design simpler
Duravit’s new D-Code bathroom range aims to cover all aspects of bathroom design, with Sieger Design’s new additions striving to retain the sleek and unpretentious design of the original series.
Michael Sieger said: “The rigor and the new versatility of D-Code – from the washbasin through to the toilet, from the bathroom furniture through bathtubs, whirl tubs, and shower trays up to the accessories –expand the opportunities for bathroom design.”
“In the project sector in particular, D-Code simplifies the planning and tendering process with its easy-to-combine elements and wide range of
dimensions for optimum use of space. With its clear, timeless design language, faucets with water-saving functions, and the high brand quality standard, the range also holds its own as a durable and sustainable
sanitary solution.”
The comprehensive range include ceramic washbasins and toilets, furniture in eight décor finishes, bathtubs in acrylic, and a range of taps and accessories. D-Code offers additional design capabilities with two finishes for furniture handles, taps, and accessories, in either Chrome or Matt Black.
The collection’s furniture handles with a recessed grip milled from below are as visually unobtrusive as the slimline taps, while washbasin mixers featuring a combination of FreshStart and MinusFlow not only save energy, but simultaneously also water. Surface-mounted and concealed solutions are available for shower and bathtub – including the BlueBox integrated unit –with matching showerheads to round off the look.
Duravit / duravit.co.uk Sieger Design / sieger-design. com
A lesson in making the complex appear very simple has become a familiar feature of the daily commute for many Londoners. In fact, the Elizabeth Line has fitted into the Capital’s infrastructure so neatly that it is already starting to feel as if it has always been there.
The latest addition to the London transport network has now been recognised for its stations’ architectural merit, winning the 2024 RIBA Stirling Prize.
Designed by Grimshaw, Maynard, Equation and AtkinsRéalis, the line runs from Reading and Heathrow to Essex and South East London, carrying 700,000 passengers every weekday. Its uniquely complex construction is belied by the elegant simplicity of its stations, characterised by its muted palette of perforated cladding, sensitive lighting and coherent wayfinding systems.
Muyiwa Oki, RIBA President and Jury Chair, said: “The Elizabeth Line is a triumph in architect-led collaboration, offering a flawless, efficient, beautifully choreographed solution to inner-city transport. It’s an uncluttered canvas that incorporates a slick suite of architectural components to create a consistent, line-wide identity – through which thousands of daily passengers navigate with ease.
“Descending into the colossal network of tunnels feels like entering a portal to the future, where the typical commuter chaos is transformed into an effortless experience. This is architecture of the digital age – a vast scheme that utilises cutting-edge technology to create distinctive spatial characteristics and experiences.”
RIBA / architecture.com
