Duravit by Leisure Lifestyle

DURAVIT

IN ZIMBABWE

text by Michael Nott photos by Structure and Design

DURAVIT WAS FOUNDED BY GEORG FRIEDRICH HORN IN 1817 IN THE BLACK FOREST IN GERMANY. CONTINUED EXPANSION HAS LED TO THE BRAND BEING AVAILABLE IN OVER 130 COUNTRIES WORLDWIDE.

FOR OVER 200 YEARS DURAVIT HAS BEEN MANUFACTURING BATHROOM PRODUCTS INCLUDING BATHS, BASINS, BATHROOM FURNITURE, TOILETS, URINALS, BIDETS, AND MANY OTHER BATHROOM ACCESSORIES. THE BATHROOM WARE INCORPORATES THE VERY LATEST TECHNOLOGY TO ENHANCE USER COMFORT AND CONVENIENCE, IN ADDITION, THE PRODUCTS ARE MANUFACTURED WITH SUSTAINABILITY IN MIND. ALL DESIGNS ARE OPTIMISED TO ENHANCE WATER SAVING, POWER SAVING AND CREATE A DISABILITY FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENT.

Part of what sets Duravit apart is their continued research and development which has seen them introduce special products and product features like HygieneGlaze, an anti-bacterial glaze, waterless urinals which are ideal for use in remote areas, space saving concealed cisterns and bathroom mirrors that have adjustable lighting and demisting features. SensoWash is another of their great innovations, which is combination of a toilet and bidet in one that is electronically operated. This makes it an ultimate luxury for the modern home. Duravit has been unwavering to its commitment to good design. The manufacturer has worked with some of the best architectural and industrial designers in the world – most notably the maverick designer, Philippe Starck.

Philippe Starck

Starck is a world renowned French industrial architect and designer known for his wide range of designs, including interior design, architecture, household objects, furniture, hotel interiors, watches and luxury yachts. Some of his most iconic designs include the Ghost Chair and the orange squeezer that looks like a sci-fi spider. His designs for Duravit include the ME range, the Cape Cod range, SensoWash and Stark 1, 2 and 3. His range includes bath tubs, basins, toilets and bathroom accessories. Probably his most ico nic design is the Starck 1 range which includes the free standing basin on a conical base available in a variety of colours and finishes. The range was inspired by the traditional bucket and bowl used in bathrooms but with a fresh modern twist. Starck has also designed a range of accessories including towel rings, rails, hooks and toothbrush holders.

Cecilie Manz

Manz is a Danish industrial designer who has won numerous awards including designer of the year in the Design Awards by Bo bedre, Costume Living, Nordic Living and Boligmagasiet. In September 2014, she won the Danish Crown Prince Couple’s Culture Award (Kronprinsparrets Kulturpris) for her contribution to design. Her work includes furniture, jewellery, lamps and sculptures. Her Mikado table has been included in MOMA’s design collection. One of her designs for Duravit is the Luv range which blends Scandinavian simplicity with timeless elegance. Manz has incorporated satin matt furniture and counter tops in natural shades and coordinating mirrors.

sieger design

Duravit’s collaboration with Dieter Sieger started in 1990 and has continued to this day. Dieter, a respected architect, and later his two sons Michael and Christian, developed the Happy D.2 and Happy D.2 Plus range for Duravit. He was one of the first architects to fit bathrooms with two washbasins and specially made mirrored cabinets. Apart from the Happy D.2 ranges Sieger has also designed the Viu/XViu range characterised by gentle organic shapes and available in Champagne Matt and Black Matt. Sieger has also designed the D-Code range with seven different furniture options for the vanity cabinets.

Kurt Merki Jr.

Merki is a Swiss/Ghanaian designer with a Master’s degree in product and interior design and he’s worked for a number of architectural firms in Zurich and Milan. He worked at the Studio Antonio Citterio in Milan before returning to Zurich where he opened his own design studio in 2010. For Duravit he has designed bathroom furniture for the Vero ceramic range and the faucets for the C.1 range. He also designed the XSquare bathroom furniture series which includes vanity units, mirrors and mirror cabinets. The design won the iF Design award for 2019.

Werner is a German industrial designer based in Hamburg. Since 1992 he has run his product design and interior architecture studio, designing furniture for the foremost international manufacturers and undertaking a variety of projects for exhibition stands, restaurants, publicity agencies, shops, franchises, and others. Christian Werner was the first furniture designer to work with Duravit and started with the Ketho furniture range in 2010. He then went on to design L-Cube in 2015. In 2016, he presented C-bonded, a completely new technology and a very clean, clear-cut design. Werner also designed the Brioso range of furniture, mirrors and cabinets with ergonomically designed handles.

If you want to bring life into your bathroom visit Leisure Lifestyles’ showroom at Bay 3, 8 George Avenue in Msasa. Their elegant facility was created by a Duravit team from Germany and South Africa. The showroom is open 8am to 430pm Mondays to Friday and from 8am to 12pm on Saturdays. Call: 0242 486405 or 0242 486317 Email: leisurelifestyles@ trevorthomsen.com Website: leisurelifestyleszim.com