Leading bathroom supplier HiB has embarked on the next phase of its ESG journey by forging a strategic partnership with Futureproof, a renowned sustainability platform. This collaboration marks HiB’s commitment to furthering its sustainable initiatives and making a lasting and positive impact on the environment and society.
James Skirrow, sustainability expert at Futureproof, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership. He said: “HiB joined Futureproof, having already built a strong foundation within sustainability. Over 2024 and beyond, we are incredibly excited to see HiB excel further in this space. Emma and the team are focused on baking all things ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) directly into the core business functions – a fantastic sign for me of a company that is not only prioritising this work but highlighting that HiB will be leading from the front with their actions.
“HiB will be taking a holistic approach, from analysing its supply chain and continuing to learn more about the emissions as a company to its overall governance and how it works with its employees. Nothing is off the table for this exciting evolution in HiB’s sustainability journey.”
The partnership between HiB and Futureproof demonstrates the company’s efforts to integrate sustainability seamlessly into the core of HiB’s business practices. The collaborative initiative aims to analyse and enhance the entire supply chain, delve into emission reduction strategies and ensure governance that aligns with the highest ethical standards.
Emma Cuggy, HiB people and ESG director, emphasised HiB’s dedication to improving its ESG credentials. She said: “A part of HiB’s mission is to make a substantial difference to the lives of our people, partners, and the world we live in. Because of this, ESG is high on our priorities and having Futureproof as our Sustainability Partner will allow us to make meaningful change and measure our success so that we can work towards our vision in the years to come.”
As the partnership between HiB and Futureproof takes shape, the bathroom supplier looks forward to championing sustainability and making a lasting impact on the industry, the environment and the wider community.
Due Linee Architettura, a design studio based in Turin, was responsible for the total renovation project of a mid-twentieth-century villa located in the centre of a town in the province of Cuneo. The aim was to offer the clients, a young and large family, warm and comfortable spaces that were at the same time functional, modern and elegant.
The intervention involved all floors of the building. It led to a complete restyling of the property both from a planimetric point of view, thanks to targeted structural interventions to redistribute the rooms, and stylistically, starting from the external parts, affected by a redesigned colour of the facade which gave “a new look” to the house.
The ground floor was entirely dedicated as a family-friendly space: the living room overlooks a large and bright central kitchen and dining area. Hidden behind a pocket door is the service space and the reception bathroom.
This floor has access to the basement, which is useful for socialising. The bedrooms are located on the second floor and in the attic. The bedrooms feature a walk-in closet and a private bathroom.
The interiors are enhanced by custom-made furniture and the use of floral wallpaper, which creates a delicate and harmonious atmosphere. As well as the taps, chosen for both bathroom environments: the Pois series by Ritmonio, with simple and elegant lines.
The Pois series is a versatile collection which lends itself well to different configurations of use: from wall-mounted or free-standing washbasins, bidets, bathtubs and showers. Thanks to its perfect proportions, this Made in Ritmonio look made the bathrooms even more welcoming.
The minimalist and contemporary design gracefully matches the surrounding style, enhancing the beauty of the detail and giving a touch of impeccable refinement. Proportionate and harmonious shapes guarantee the family a quality user experience.
Due Linee Architettura – Biography
Due Linee Architettura is formed by Manuela Graziano, Giulia Mazza, Celeste Moiso and Graziana Pirrotta, a professional reality born in 206 under the will of colleagues, but above all, friends. Four complementary but very distinct personalities, three architects and a structural engineer, formed through paths that are at times common and at times parallel. When forming the studio, the aim from the very beginning was to form a multidisciplinary team in order to dedicate itself to the project in all its forms: from architectural to structural design, from interior design to municipal practices, aware that the synergy of various aspects that characterize living are the right key to an innovative and person-friendly project.
BATHROOMS2GO, the new ‘ready to go’ affordable bathroom collection from leading distributor PJH, has launched the RefleXion Classix Easy Fit Enclosure range designed for quick and easy installation.
BATHROOMS2GO, the new ‘ready to go’ affordable bathroom collection from leading distributor PJH, has launched the RefleXion Classix Easy Fit Enclosure range designed for quick and easy installation.
Perfect for installers looking to save time and money, the Easy Fit range includes both Two-Door Quadrant and Sliding Door models and is manufactured to the highest standards in quality and design – with a Lifetime guarantee to prove it.
Featuring 6mm toughened safety glass, the stylish Classix Easy Fit enclosures boast a highly durable design with ultra-smooth sliding doors and a practical quick-release roller mechanism for ease of cleaning.
As shown in this short video (B2GO Easy Fit Enclosure) from PJH, step-by-step instructions guide the installer through how to build the enclosure panels, including demonstrations on how quick it is to glide the locator blocks in place; how to securely hold the profiles in place using the simple and efficient latches; and how to easily clip the rollers on to the doors.
Both Easy Fit Enclosure ranges include cushioned magnetic soft-close seals for a strong seal, polished silver profiles, sleek concealed fixings with cover caps and Easy Clean glass treatment. With a height of 1850mm and a range of widths available, including optional Classix side panels, both enclosure types are also available in special pack deals, including low profile 45mm trays and 90mm fast flow wastes for the ultimate convenience.
PJH’s BATHROOMS2GO portfolio is a complete collection of popular bathroom products ready ‘2GO’ as soon as required, due to always being in stock and available via PJH’s industry leading next day delivery service. The concise and easy-to-shop on-trend collection is brimming with highly competitive pricing and deals, making it perfect for trade counters and bathroom showrooms. Backed by PJH’s outstanding customer service support, products such as the new RefleXion Classix Easy Fit Enclosures can be ordered easily online using the PJH Partners Portal e-commerce website.
For further information on the new Easy Fit Enclosures from PJH’s BATHROOMS2GO collection, contact PJH on Tel: 0800 8 77 88 99, email sales@pjh.uk or visit www.partners.pjh.uk.
Waters Baths of Ashbourne unveils its new Essence collection of compact contemporary stone freestanding baths and heralds the arrival of indulgent luxury bathing for the smaller room.
Mirroring the contemporary curves and smooth scoops of their full-sized counterparts in the Elements Collection, all four models in Waters Baths’ Essence collection promise the same high levels of luxury, comfort, and quality synonymous with this Great British brand but in a more absolute, pared down and measured form.
Lee Frost, director of Waters Baths of Ashbourne, comments, “Knowing that space in UK bathrooms has been and will continue to be an issue, we wanted our retailers and bathroom designers to have the opportunity and potential to deliver the maximum of luxury within a limited space to meet their customers’ demands. While it would once have been unthinkable to add a freestanding bath to a smaller room, we’ve worked hard to create a variety of more compact designs that embody luxury and comfort; their quiet luxury speaking volumes when creating a statement in a more bijou-sized bathroom.”
Echoing the Element Collections’ silhouettes, the Escape, Aurora, Mist2 and Azure follow similar ergonomic lines as their larger counterparts; their beauty distilled to a concentrated form.
Available in both a matt or gloss finish, the Essence Collection is crafted from incredibly tactile and warm-to-the-touch silken stone composite; combining the practical and ecological benefits of keeping the water warmer for longer and negating the need to top up with hot during a leisurely soak.
This intelligent reimagination of luxury bathing broadens the potential and scope of possibilities for their growing network of hand-picked 400 independent retailers to help their customers bring blissful ritual to daily routine.
The new Essence Collection is available from 1 February 2024.
ARCHITECT@WORK has announced the upcoming London edition (20 – 21 March 2024), showcasing more than 200 curated product innovations.
With each offering rigorously vetted by a dedicated team of architects, this event presents an opportunity for the London architecture and design community to stay abreast of the latest developments. Renowned internationally as the premier showcase for the architectural trade, attendees (register now) can immerse themselves in the cutting-edge innovations set to debut at the show.
Please see below some of the innovations that will be presented at ARCHITECT@WORK London 2024:
MATKI | EAUZONE ARCH WET ROOM PANEL
Pictured top – the ingenious dual-function over-head shower brace not only keeps the panel secure, it also seamlessly delivers water to the centrally mounted deluge, making the EauZone Arch Wet Room Panel a perfect symphony of aesthetics and engineering. This fusion of practicality and stylish sophistication means this newest member of the Matki family creates a focal point that lends a spa-like ambience to your home. The minimal framing adds a graceful accent, creating a feeling of space and freedom within the shower area.
INTERFACE | PAST FORWARD
The Past Forward collection is a tribute to 50 years of modular carpet tile innovation, combining iconic designs from the past with contemporary performance. Featuring 14 products with a bold design and colour palette, Past Forward reimagines nostalgic motifs, seamlessly blending retro charm with modern aesthetics. From ornate rococo and renaissance visuals to retro patterns with scribbles and geometrics, vintage-inspired patchwork styles, and traditional Turkish motifs, the collection offers a diverse range of traditional, vintage, and retro designs.
KARCHER DESIGN | SATIN BRASS
With its luxurious gold and bronze tones, Satin Brass creates an atmosphere of elegance and warmth. The matt surface provides a subtle yet impressive presence and adds a special touch to any room. Modern shapes combined with a brushed, satin brass look give Karcher Design products a new expression of class and style. The timeless design is a real eye-catcher and sets elegant accents in any room.
PANAGET | NOISETTE
An extra-mattlight brown Ecostrong lacquer, the Noisette finish gives a particularly elegant brushed effect. Its light brown colour is inspired by the wood floors of yesteryear, while at the same time highlighting the uniqueness of the wood. Panaget has succeeded in developing this new lacquered finish that has all the advantages of lacquer, such as easier maintenance, with the appearance of an oiled floor. The finish also offers a matt, contemporary shade that enhances and sublimates the material.
SOTEXPRO | NEW TEXTILE WALL COVERING
By introducing this new product line to its collection, Sotexpro aims to keep all current benefits of its textile, especially the control of the full production process, inside its French facilities, the French properties of its base fabrics, and a low environmental impact. So from the weaving up to the lamination backing, Sotexpro ensures a fully integrated production while offering texture and warmth to the interior furnishing.
STON | CORIANDOLI
Coriandoli is a fully customisable mosaic programme made from more than 95% recycled glass. The wide range of colours – over 120 standard shades – and the wide range of shapes and finishes make it interesting for completely new projects, both in colour-block or in multicoloured geometric decorations inspired by vintage patterns. The collection is made entirely from glass scraps, mixed with the pigment, pressed into moulds, and fired in the kiln at high temperatures. The material is characterised by very high mechanical properties that allow it to be used on both walls and floors, both indoors and outdoors, including areas with intense foot traffic.
WEVER & DUCRE | TAPIS SOFT
Designed to subtly absorb ambient noise, Tapis Soft, a multifunctional light, gracefully leans against the wall like a gentle wave. Ideal for busy areas like receptions, it comes in four shapes and three colors, offering versatility by also functioning as a stylish overhead light.
Alongside the exceptional exhibitors, ARCHITECT@WORK’s talks programme remains a highlight of the event. For the 2024 edition, the theme “People + Planet: Designing from the Ground Up” promises captivating discussions, inviting exploration of cutting-edge topics such as biophilia, neurodiversity, wellness and embodied carbon. Additionally, attendees can anticipate insights into innovative applications of materials including timber and natural stone.
Please click here to view the full list of exhibitors at the London edition of ARCHITECT@WORK 2024. For visitor passes, please click here to register.
InstallerSHOW’s evolution has made it a valuable opportunity for CIOB members to learn, collaborate and network. With over 600 exhibitors, more than 7 content streams, and an anticipated 20,000 attendees, CIOB members will find a raft of seminars and information to assist them in their roles.
This year’s event comes at a critical time for our industry, with the latest changes to Building Regulations as a result of the Building Safety Act and Net Zero legislation around the phasing out of fossil fuel heating in new homes and buildings. These shifting regulations have changed how we work and created an even greater need for clarity and collaboration between professions.
Highlights from this content programme will include stage hosts such as BBC presenter Samira Ahmed, and environmentalist Philippa Forrester. They will be hosting debates and keynotes from speakers, including:
Ed Houghton, head of research at DG Cities, author of the report “Defining and identifying complex-to-decarbonise homes” with Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ)
Rachael Owens and Sara Edmonds, regional directors of the National Retrofit Hub
Rt Hon Lord Andrew Stunell OBE, president of the National Home Improvement Council (NHIC)
Jordan Brompton, Founder, Myenergi
Adam Chapman, Founder, Heat Geek
Anna Scothern, CEO, National Home Improvement Council
Dr Bola Abisogun OBE, Founder of the Digital Twin Skills Academy
Julie Walters, business development manager at the CIOB, explains the decision to join this year’s show: “The CIOB are proud to be partnering with the InstallerSHOW 2024, allowing our members to explore all the exhibitors and participate within the seminar sessions occurring at such a critical time for the industry as well as seeing and exploring the new innovations and technologies being introduced. With the expansion of the show, it is even more relevant than ever that the CIOB and its members are in attendance. We look forward to this collaboration in 2024 and beyond.”
Welcoming CIOB as a contributing partner to this year’s programme, Nathan Garnett, business development director at organiser Lyrical Communications says: “As the programme at this year’s InstallerSHOW has been enhanced, so the content becomes even more pertinent to CIOB members – especially the Housing Hub, The Elemental Arena, and the Climate Solutions Theatre. The CIOB’s partnership with InstallerSHOW 2024 provides an ideal opportunity for its members to network with installers and specifiers. We also look forward to CIOB staging its own member events at the show, and its leadership taking part in our content programme – joining key debates on sustainability, building safety, skills, and more.”
A visit to InstallerSHOW will allow CIOB members to explore more than 600 exhibitors, including leading brands such as Baxi, Worcester Bosch, Roca, Hansgrohe, VitrA, Vaillant, Schneider Electric, Aico, Rehau and Grohe.
Content and knowledge partners include Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists, National Home Improvement Council, The Federation of Master Builders, the Code for Construction Product Information, The National Federation of Builders and many more.
Register now for up-to-the-minute information as sessions and speakers are announced.
Studio F. A. Porsche designed the Qatego bathroom range for Duravit with a clearly defined style.
The Chicago Athenaeum bestowed the GOOD DESIGN® Award, one of the oldest and globally renowned awards, upon Qatego in the “Bathroom and Accessories” category. The GOOD DESIGN® award is a testament that the selected products meet the most exacting international standards in design excellence. The Duravit Qatego collection was published in the 2023-2024 GOOD DESIGN yearbook.
Harmonious bathroom ranges reference nature
The minimalistic design language of Qatego is about slowing things down. The range favours natural materials with tactile surfaces: wood, ceramic, and natural stone come together, creating a harmonious bathroom design with skillfully accentuated niches. The designers see the washbasins and furniture as a combination of design and functionality.
“With Qatego, we took our lead from people’s needs in the familiar yet intimate surroundings of the bathroom. That’s why it was important for us to lend the objects a strong emotional quality that goes beyond mere functionality,” said Henning Rieseler, design director at Studio F. A. Porsche describing the creative process.
The rounded form of the sanitary objects stands out against the linear and minimalistic design of the cabinets. The designers referenced archetypes in their creative process:
“As a material, ceramic tends to have softer forms due to the working and the firing processes, while our perception of furniture is generally box-like,” said the design studio.
Water Regs UK is issuing a vital reminder to all planning to renovate their bathrooms this year: plumbing projects are often best left to the professionals.
With the cost-of-living pressures, understandably, many will be tempted to fix any leaks and install new appliances. But enthusiastic DIYers can often make costly mistakes.
A survey conducted by Water Regs UK has revealed that plumbing mishaps are the number one DIY disaster in UK homes, with 18% of respondents admitting they had to call in a plumber to rectify attempted DIY plumbing jobs.
The survey, encompassing the experiences of over 2,000 people across the UK, highlights the prevalence of DIY attempts gone wrong and underscores that plumbing needs the specialist skills of a qualified professional. Plumbers emerge as the most sought-after trade for fixing DIY disasters, with electricians and plasterers following closely behind.
Julie Spinks, managing director of Water Regs UK, highlights the significance of hiring qualified professionals, explaining, “In challenging economic times we all want to save money. However, attempting DIY plumbing projects can make things worse and end up costing more. If a mishap occurs, it’s crucial to hire a qualified plumber. Every day, half of Britain’s plumbers are called in to fix mistakes made by unqualified individuals—emphasising the real risks associated with amateur attempts.”
45-54-year-olds are the most at risk of choosing an unqualified plumber, with 47% turning to friends and family for DIY plumbing, compared with 29% of 18-24-year-olds.
The top plumbing tasks that Brits are most likely to try and do themselves are:
Bleed a radiator (58%)
Check a stop tap is working (42%)
Fix a leaky tap (41%)
Install a washing machine or dishwasher and connect a hose to the water supply (36%)
Replace a tap (24%)
While many homeowners may have the skills to tackle simple jobs like bleeding a radiator or insulating a pipe, complex jobs should be left to professionals. Nearly 1 in 10 admit they would try tackling more complex tasks like installing a new toilet, which could lead to leaks and contamination if installed incorrectly.
Water Regs UK encourages homeowners to entrust plumbing and water fittings renovations to approved plumbers, such as those accredited by WaterSafe.
WaterSafe-approved plumbers are trained in the Water Fittings Regulations and Byelaws, which are essential for preventing the risk of contamination of drinking water from substandard plumbing practices and fittings.
There has been a revolution in the bathroom – industrial-style – with black becoming a go-to colour for making a big impact in small and large spaces alike. From sanitaryware to brassware and accessories, black is a timeless choice that makes a statement: bold, tough, sleek, and calm.
With matt black featuring across several of its best-selling bathroom collections, RAK Ceramics offers five top tips for making black work in your bathroom.
Mix and match – black is a neutral colour so can easily be mixed with different materials like marble, concrete, stone or wood, and various earthy colours like white, beige and marble-inspired white. The result is a bathroom that oozes originality – the perfect way to really make this personal space your own.
Choose black as an accent – even using black to make a small change in an existing bathroom can have a big impact. Change up the taps, opt for a new washbasin or simply add some stylish matt black accessories.
Cosy up a small space – going all-out with black, or darker shades in general, creates a cosy ambience in a compact bathroom or cloakroom. If your bathroom lacks natural light, embracing black can complement the space, where bright colours and white may leave it feeling saturated.
Go classic in monochrome – Black and white bathrooms will never go out of fashion – or be boring – and there are countless ways to really make this look work, including combining black sanitaryware with white tiles, or vice versa.
Take good care – put the chemical cleaners away and rinse away traces of soap and grime with a soft cloth to keep your black bathroom looking beautiful. Regularly cleaning with a mix of hot water, washing up liquid with a microfibre cloth will stop unsightly limescale forming.
There are just a few weeks left until over 320 exhibitors showcase the latest products in the kitchens, bedrooms, and bathrooms sector at KBB Birmingham 2024. Taking place at the NEC from 3-6 March, visitors will see a range of innovations, product designs and new trends.
Set against a backdrop of cutting-edge technologies and creative design, this year’s event promises to inspire the KBB community and will welcome retailers, architects, interior designers, installers, buyers, property developers and contractors. With so much to discover, here are just some of the highlights that visitors can expect to see on the show floor:
Exhibitor Highlights from the Kitchen Sector
KitchenEX Limited (L90) will exhibit two brands on its stand,ILVE, a manufacturer of professional-grade range cookers and ovens, and Faber, the inventor of the domestic cooker hood and one of the largest extractor manufacturers in the world. With a focus on innovation and design, Faber will unveil its latest range of sophisticated extractors alongside the In-Nova Zero Drip. This new technology protects cabinetry from damage by preventing condensation and will be available in a new design.
With thousands of bespoke kitchen design options, Nolte Küchen UK (P110, Q110) will reveal plenty of new product ranges. As an alternative to its longstanding favourite fluted wood front neoLODGE collection, the new Artline collection will launch at the show. Featuring two distinctive shades in Crema and Coffee, the collection exudes luxury with its seamless integration and sophisticated aesthetic.
Visit XTONE’s (P94) stand to watch a demonstration of INTO, its new hidden induction technology. A breakthrough in smart kitchen design, the INTO dual system serves as a cooking surface and powers household appliances. Its seamless design transforms countertops and allows for an expanded workspace for all your cooking needs. The brand specialises in large-format surfaces of sintered stone with the most advanced technical features and innovations.
Quooker (L100, M100), the leading manufacturer of boiling taps will showcase its two new finishes – Rose Copper and Gunmetal – across its Flex and Fusion tap accessories range. With a Quooker you can get instant 100°C boiling water, filtered chilled and sparkling water, and regular hot and cold all from the same tap. The full team will also be available at the show finalising applications for its new Premium Dealership Program launching early 2024.
Epitomising stylish, practical design, British kitchen furniture brand, LochAnna Kitchens (J98) recently launched the Kirkham collection in a utility room setting, complete with accessories and a new vertical washing machine and dryer stack. At this year’s show, the brand will launch its new ranges Newbridge and Lifford, bespoke, handmade in-frame timber doors available in over 270 colours and styles.
Exhibitor Highlights from the Bathroom Sector
VitrA (D60, C64)will showcase the contemporary M-Line collection, a range of furniture and washbasins consisting of two styles, Edge and Pure. The simple, yet eye-catching designers integrate various forms, colours, and sizes to create bathrooms that meet every need. The brand has supplied the UK bathroom market for 30 years and has created a UK industry first with its 100% recycled ceramic washbasin.
Look out for the new Wetroom Collection from MERLYN (D40), a brand that creates beautiful shower enclosures that are easy to maintain and have a lifetime guarantee. Available in Chrome, Matt Black, Brushed Brass, and Brushed Bronze, the support post and swivel panel can be retrofitted to existing glass and wetroom panels.
DUNE Cerámica (N94) is a brand that explores the technical and aesthetic possibilities of ceramics and at this year’s show, it will present its latest innovative release, Zement. Available in three formats, the tiles combine the texture of smoothed cement with the marks and cracks that appear in fresh cement when it sets. From brutalism to the warmth of the Nordic style, the series can adapt to a wide variety of design schemes.
Combining craftsmanship and advanced technology, DECOSAN (J87) will add the Glow collection to its Casual range, a trendsetting product characterised by its stylish design and textured finish. Already part of the Casual range is the Play collection, which emphasises modularity and personalisation, giving users the flexibility to tailor their bathroom style with its contemporary design.
Drawing on over 20 years of expertise, Giavani Bathrooms (E83) designs and crafts its collections with precision. The brand will exhibit its new Lux range with a variety of collections included in the launch. Available in matt black, mid-grey, and pearl grey, the Serena collection will have an exclusive arch design, handless features, and soft-closing doors.
Cutting-Edge design & innovation
The Innovation Awards, in partnership with Blum, is another highlight, with shortlisted brands, including BORA, Ca’ Pietra, Novy, and Samsung showcasing their exciting products throughout the four-day event. On the final day, the finalists will be announced, and visitors will have the chance to vote for their favourite innovation in the ‘People’s Choice Award’, alongside the expertly judged ‘Judges Choice Award’ and Sustainability Award’.
The event will also feature a series of roundtable sessions with industry experts including the BMA, as well as various drop-in clinics for small business support with Richard Hibbert, Chair of the KBSA. Over 15,000 buying professionals are expected to attend this year’s event, making it an industry essential with countless opportunities for networking and connection.
Register for your free kbb Birmingham visitor pass here.
