During the visit to the Hemer Technology Centre, the group were able to see the GROHE factory in action, bearing witness to the faucet production experience on the ground, from sandstone moulds to cutting and polishing – the factory is 90% robotic, so streamlined and effectively efficient in its manufacturing processes. The Hemer factory came second to Siemens in the ‘Best Factory Competition’ held in 2009. GROHE is the only sanitary company in the world to produce its own copper and brass, a testament to the company’s position in setting standards of quality, technology and design.

At the Red Dot Design Museum the team had a chance to see and touch some of the world’s largest presentations of award winning contemporary designs. The group was able to marvel at the large collection of GROHE red dot design winners, including GROHE’s Red Dot 2012 Award winning Allure Brilliant line of faucets from the GROHE SPA™collection, the Minta line of kitchen faucets as well as the Concetto and Quadra lines of bathroom fittings.

Paul Flowers spoke to the group about design and how he and the GROHE design team strive to create unique ways in which the world can enjoy water in an environmentally sustainable manner. He highlighted the importance of setting trends and developing innovative technologies to bring bathrooms into the future. The architects left feeling inspired to put “pen to paper” in designing their own inspirational buildings.

Amy Holland, GROHE SA Marketing Manager said ‘’The trip to Germany was an excellent opportunity  for our partners to understand the value of GROHE as well as the quality, technology and design that goes into the manufacturing of our product.”

Decorex Joburg, Africa’s finest décor, design and lifestyle exhibition celebrates 20 years of stylish living at what promises to be a blissful, feel-good show in 2013.

This year’s exhibition kicks off on 7^th August and promises five days of unforgettable inspiration to improve and innovate on the home front. The theme of Decorex Joburg this year is “bliss” with unique décor features throughout the exhibition aimed at inspiring visitors to turn their home into a peaceful sanctuary.

Decorex Joburg will showcase the latest in décor and design trends, innovative insider tips as well as beautiful lifestyle inspiration.

The Decorex SA team is pulling out all the stops to ensure that this year’s 20^th anniversary exhibition is the best to date – with some exciting new additions to the show format, says Sian Steyn, General Manager of Decorex SA. There will also be a special celebration focused on recognising the local décor and design industries for their consistent support.

“We are extremely proud to have created Africa’s most beautiful and popular décor exhibition and we are determined that our 20^th birthday year will be unforgettable for both visitors, exhibitors and our partners Plascon, M-Net and Sunday Times”.

Look out for more than 700 leading décor and design exhibitors, trend inspiration, décor accessories, creative energy, installations by some of South Africa’s leading decorators, plus concept restaurants to keep visitors replenished while exploring the décor halls.

Decorex Joburg will celebrate the home.

This autumn the renowned World Architecture Festival will open its doors for the sixth time. From 2 to 4 October, the global architectural community will be converging on Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands hotel, an architectural landmark, to experience and debate new ideas, projects and products. With more than 2,000 guests from over 65 countries expected to attend, WAF 2013 will once again provide a fantastic opportunity for architects, designers and planners to present their projects to an international expert audience. Entries for one or several of the award categories will be accepted until 10 June 2013. Apart from the coveted “World Building of the Year” award, there will be prizes in the categories “Future Project of the Year”, “Landscape Project of the Year” and in numerous sub-categories for buildings completed during the previous year from various different sectors.

Promoting international awareness for one’s own architectural work

Submitting an architectural project is worth the effort in any case, given that all entrants will benefit from international exposure. Those who make it onto the shortlist will additionally profit from direct feedback from the high-calibre WAF judges and their recommendations. This year the panel includes Kim Nielsen from 3XN, Richard Hassell from WOHA and Michael Cox from Cox Rayner Architects.

GROHE – a loyal sponsor right from the start

GROHE is founding partner of the World Architecture Festival and has loyally supported the event ever since. Good design is one of the company’s brand values, which is why GROHE promotes the dialogue and cooperation with architects, designers and planners around the globe. At this year’s event at the exclusive Marina Bay Sands Hotel in Singapore the company will reprise its sponsorship of the “World Building of the Year”. Moreover, GROHE will continue its commitment to this renowned festival of architecture in the future.

Details regarding entries to the WAF awards can be found at www.worldarchitecturefestival.com. GROHE is keeping fingers crossed for all entrants and looks forward to exploring their creative projects as well as exchanging ideas and inspirations on site in Singapore.

Cape Town’s architecture and interior design community will never look at tiles in the same way again, after Italcotto hosted its first international Tile Fashion Week, showcasing the hottest Italian trends in tile décor and technology.

A glamorous preview event at the Italcotto showroom, literally saw man morphing into stone and alabaster nudes emerge from walls, as the textures of nature, were celebrated in the finest porcelain.

Tiles that tricked the senses were unveiled – Innovative high definition tile technology and masterful design effects on porcelain tiles, recreated wood, marble, concrete and stone, the simulation near perfect.

The Italians are globally acknowledged as the design and manufacturing leaders in tiles, and Tile Fashion Week perfectly showcased why they dictate international trends. The tile ranges on exhibition were exclusive lines from Italy.

For those of you who were unable to attend , the tiles are still on exhibition in the Italcotto project showroom, Christiaan Barnard Street (formerly Oswald Pirow Street), Foreshore.

Tiles that trick the senses were unveiled – Innovative design effects on a porcelain tile, look and feel exactly like wood, marble, concrete and stone . With the availability of HD print technology, the simulation is near perfect. The high definition tiles offer an incredible array of textures and designs, with all the benefits and the durability of porcelain tiles.

Also on display at Tile Fashion Week was one of the largest porcelain tiles ever seen – 3m x 1.8m and only 6mm thick.  Advanced Italian technology has enabled manufacturers to produce outsize tiles without distortion. In addition, the use of high-definition design and manufacturing processes, means the tiles can have beautiful patterns and textures that resemble materials such as stone, concrete and alabaster.

4 Top Tile Trends on show

Urban Concrete: An Italian interpretation of concrete, the epitome of urban spirit, has resulted in the Urban Concrete collection that conveys a unique concept of contemporary space. Manufacturer Flaviker, offers a new architectural vision using concrete effects in large-format porcelain tiles. Urban Concrete is available in natural and a frame “formwork effect” finishes. Formwork reproduces the wood textures imprinted on concrete by wooden formwork, conveying a sense of work and manual labour. The natural range of Urban Concrete offers decorators sophisticated and contemporary neutrality.

Walks: Thanks to sophisticated high-definition design technology, manufacturer Floor Gres has revisited the beauty of quartzite using porcelain stoneware. The natural appearance of quartizite and the material consistency of the quarry split stone effect, is reproduced in this range. These tiles are ideal for the interpretation of interior and exterior architectural spaces that interact with the surrounding landscape in a natural manner. The physical-mechanical properties of the Walks tiles, makes them perfect for flooring, wall cladding and building façades. The textured, non-slip surface makes this product an excellent option for swimming pool borders.

Alabastri:  Alabaster, naturally luxurious, and known as an ornamental stone, can be quite brittle and impractical to use. The newly launched Alabastri range of full body porcelain tiles, replicate the exceptional attributes of the natural stone while providing the strength and durability of porcelain tiles.

Nuances:  By Fap Ceramiche, this new collection of wood-effect porcelain stoneware tiles is ideal as wall tiling. This collection has options available for use indoors and outdoors. Nuances offer multi-tone wood effects in Beech, Sessile Oak, Sandalwood, Oak, Olive and Walnut. The Nuances non-slip surface option is  excellent for outdoor surfaces, including patios and swimming pools, complementing indoor applications.

Visit www.italcotto.co.za for more information or watch this video on the event: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WoPzdih8ndM&feature=youtu.be

FROM LEFT: Carlos Costa – Kansai Plascon | Nauman Malik – Kansai Plascon | Morgan Govender – BASF | Hilton Burgess – Kansai Plascon PHOTO BY: Kevin Bracegirdle – Catchword

FROM LEFT: Steven Herbst – Value Truck | Alan Petrus – Kansai Plascon | Nicolene Jonker – Kansai Plascon | Lwazi Dhlomo – Rheem | Dalene du Bruyn – Kansai Plascon | Carlos Costa – Kansai Plason | Verusha Malapermal – Kansai Plascon | Graeme Robinson – Acti-Chem | Hilton Burgess – Kansai Plascon | Nicky Steyn – Schenker | Thabiso Kibe – Dow | Sherisha Ramruthan – Lake | Paul Edge – Carst & Walker | Neville Lange – IMCD | John Gawler – Kansai Plascon |  Clive Hitchcock – Pailpac | Morgan Govender – BASF PHOTO BY: Kevin Bracegirdle

The Kansai Plascon Supplier of the Year Awards is an annual event that recognizes those suppliers who rise above and beyond in their partnership with Kansai Plascon. This year, a gala awards evening was held at Summer Place in Hyde Park, Johannesburg, on 26 February 2013. The event was attended by more than 50 selected suppliers and executives from Kansai Plascon.

The Awards were judged by a cross-functional team of Kansai Plascon executives and winners were carefully selected. Awards were made in the following categories: Best Manufacturer, Best Agent, Best Packaging Supplier and Best Service Provider. An Innovation award as well as the overall Supplier of the Year Award was also presented.

Kansai Plascon would like to congratulate this year’s winners and to thank all of its suppliers for their ongoing support and contribution to making Kansai Plascon Africa’s number one coatings company.

The Winners in each category were as follows:

Raw Material Manufacturer:

• DOW – 3^rd place
• Acti – Chem – Runner up
• BASF – Winner

Raw Material Agents

• Lake International      Technologies – 3^rd place
• IMCD – Runner up
• Carst & Walker – Winner

Packaging

• Nampak Divfood – 3^rd      place
• Rheem SA – Runner up
• Pailpac – Winner

Services

• Value Truck – 3^rd      place
• Vicinage Transport – Runner      up
• Schenker South Africa –      Winner

Innovation

• IMCD

Overall winner

• BASF

The inaugural Parklife event will see international festival favourite, acoustic folk star Xavier Rudd as headliner and also features a star studded local support line-up including Farryl Purkiss and Jeremy Loops among others.

Xavier Rudd, well known on the live music festival circuit throughout Australia, North America and Europe now brings his special blend of acoustic folk to South Africa for two exclusive shows.

A unique, one-man band, Xavier plays surrounded by instruments in a complicated array. Typically, he has three didgeridoos placed in front of him on a stand, a guitar on his lap, a stompbox by his habitually bare feet, and an assortment of drums, harmonicas and bells. Many of Rudd’s songs incorporate socially conscious themes, such as spirituality, humanity, environmentalism and the rights of Aboriginal peoples.

Rudd has become a popular feature at music festivals worldwide including the Bonnaroo Music Festival, Summer Sonic and Lowlands among others and has toured with Jack Johnson, Dave Matthews, Ben Harper and Rodrigo y Gabriela.

South African music fans can expect a top quality outdoor music experience with a safe and relaxed, festive atmosphere.

PARKLIFE JOZI takes place on Thursday 21 March (the Human Rights Day public holiday) at the Marks Park Sports Club, Orange Road, Johannesburg. Gates open at 11h00. The music kicks off at 12h00 and ends at 19h00. Gates to the venue close at 20h00. Artists performing: Xavier Rudd, Farryl Purkiss, Jeremy Loops, Plush, Josie Field & Laurie Levine, Nibs & Guy Buttery, Shotgun Tori.

The festivals are focussing on ‘green basics’, such as recycling, encouraging people to tread lightly, and doing primarily mobile ticketing to cut down on the use of paper. The management are also in the process of involving Greenpop and most of the features acts do their own environmental activism (environmental concerns are a common theme our headliner Xavier Rudd’s, music). As the festival grows over time, its focus will be on encouraging a green lifestyle.

Johannesburg Tickets: http://www.webtickets.co.za  R320 Adult. Children under 13 enter free. Ample free parking within the venue.

PARKLIFE CAPE TOWN takes place on Friday the 22^nd March at the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, Rhodes Drive, Newlands, Cape Town. Gates open at 18h00. Artists performing: Xavier Rudd, Farryl Purkiss, Jeremy Loops.

Cape Town tickets: http://www.webtickets.co.za  R290 Adult. Children under 13 enter free

PARKLIFE IS ONLINE: http://www.parklifefestival.co.za   TWITTER: @ParklifeSA   FACEBOOK: ParklifeSA

More information available from: Bill Botes / bill@plugmusicagency.com / 079 842 4470  and Melissa Conradie / melissa@breakoutagency.co.za / 083 601 0487

A city in the Baden-Württemberg region, Freiburg has a population of around 230 000 people. In the south-west of the country, it straddles the Dreisam River, at the foot of the Schlossberg. The city is known for its ancient university and its medieval minster, as well as for its high standard of living and advanced environmental practices. It is situated in the heart of a major wine-growing region and serves as the primary tourist entry point to the scenic beauty of the Black Forest.

The city has an unusual system of gutters (called Bächle) that run throughout its centre. These Bächle, once used to provide water to fight fires and feed livestock, are constantly flowing with water diverted from the Dreisam. During the summer, the running water provides natural cooling of the air, and offers a pleasant gurgling sound. In June 1995, the Freiburg city council adopted a resolution that it would permit construction only of ‘low-energy’ buildings on municipal land, and all new buildings must comply with certain ‘low-energy’ specifications. In addition to solar panels and collectors on the roof, providing electricity and hot water, many passive features use the sun’s energy to regulate the temperature of the rooms.

Our tour took in a relatively new suburb of Freiburg, notable for its zero-energy houses and novel ‘car-sharing’ innovation. After the tour, we had some free time to explore our surroundings – although tired from the flight and a long day, I headed towards Freiburg’s extensive pedestrian zone, where I strolled through the main high street and down narrow alleyways. Of note was Freiburg‘s excellent public transport system, anchored by a continually expanding web of tram routes, together with feeder buses.

That evening, the South African delegates had the opportunity to experience typical German hospitality back at the hotel (not to mention much German beer and Glühwein). And as the snow started to melt in the Black Forest, a few brave souls attempted some traditional tobogganing with untraditional results.

On our second day in Germany, we got down to business when the South African contingent  was taken to the Duravit Design Center, where we joined over 1 500 other delegates from 60 countries across the globe in being introduced to Duravit’s exciting new products. Guests were entertained by a beatboxing duo and a sultry singer, while management introduced and showcased the new ranges. Following the presentations, the products were revealed and guests could get a better feel for the new ranges by seeing them in situ. The new ranges revealed were DuraStyle, Happy D2, Karree, Soundsystem, Starck 2 and X-Large.

DuraStyle by Matteo Thun sets new standards in the bathroom

Every person uses the bathroom in his or her own unique way – individual requirements differ and place high demands on the flexibility of bathroom furnishings. This prompted Duravit to ask what a contemporary and sustainable bathroom programme actually has to offer in order to best meet all requirements and to cater for all applications. The bathroom manufacturer found the answer in collaboration with Matteo Thun & Partners, taking into account all relevant parameters and looking for the overlap between product design, architecture and interior design.

The implementation of this holistic approach led from Duraplus to DuraStyle – a unique bathroom series whose visual lightness and simplicity of form are particularly effective in interaction with architecture and interiors. “A bathroom programme”, says Thun, “that is not just about design but that is also fully functional.”

The deliberate restraint of form opens up tremendous design freedom and makes the programme interesting for virtually all applications. This is why DuraStyle comes in two versions: for the project sector, there is an intelligent range of impressively coordinated products for every application and all architectural conditions. The key selling points are utility, hygiene, short cleaning times, quick and easy assembly and a price structure that is in line with project requirements.

For the private sphere, DuraStyle offers great variety for individual combinations. With tremendous versatility, it has something to suit every ambience and taste and adapts to the available space. With the discreet, timeless design of a future classic, the complete programme is popular with both purists and design lovers. At the same time, the DuraStyle bathroom series offers tremendous value for money and meets a wide variety of different budget requirements.

The narrow, elegant rim around the washbasin and the tapered outer edge that neatly slopes inward are characteristic of DuraStyle. The washbasin and toilet thus appear slender and understated, almost weightless.

DuraStyle’s special lightweight properties are also reflected in the furniture: a successful mix of open and closed surfaces gives the vanity units and console substructures, boards and cupboards a light and airy appearance. The combination of light and dark décors and wood shades creates additional interest.

The characteristic feature of the bathtub is an upward lip on the rear rim that keeps things looking tidy as bathroom products, such as shampoo, can be stored behind it. It also offers support when getting in and out of the bath.

Despite its distinctive features, DuraStyle predominantly showcases understated design since not every element can or should stand out. The focus is on the intelligent and harmonious combination of all elements.

Happy D.2 introduces elegance into the bathroom

Reduced, architectural design is becoming increasingly popular in the bathroom. And this is not surprising, since it is both timeless and modern. However, with the Happy D.2 complete bathroom series by Sieger Design, Duravit shows that this and soft lines are not mutually exclusive.

The series is both feminine and chic and follows on from the successful, iconic Happy D. range. The distinctive character has been reinterpreted with greater finesse and clarity: Happy D.2 introduces soft, feminine forms into the bathroom, combining them with practical utility and technical highlights.

The consistent, basic geometric form and the concise, reduced rim of the bathtubs and washbasins are the unifying and characteristic design features of the complete bathroom range. With a symmetrical basic form, they have a spacious bowl enclosed by a particularly fine, all-round rim. An exciting contrast to this shape creates the height-adjustable chrome console. There are twelve washbasins and thirteen bathtub models to choose from. In the bathtubs, the gentle transition from the rim to the interior and the optimum slope of the backrest, offering a comfortable lying position, together ensure an optimum feeling of wellbeing. Various whirl systems can be fitted as an option and generate either a beneficial massage effect or create the ideal environment for relaxation.

The soft, feminine forms of Happy D.2 also come into their own in the furniture. The linen décor finish is particularly distinctive. With its structured surface, it has an almost natural and, as its name suggests, linen-like feel. The wooden consoles in the series are super-flat, they have a visible front edge that is just 12 mm high. A matching, elegant wall board is also available in variable widths.

The attributes feminine and chic also apply to the toilets and bidets. The ceramics follow the principle of a compact outer geometry. The programme includes floor-standing toilets and bidets, as well as wall-mounted models. The gently domed toilet lid brings the timeless elegance of the series to the fore; it appears almost flat and features SoftClose comfort.

The mirrors are fitted with an elegant light canopy. Innovative technology provides indirect, homogeneous LED light in an attractive colour for optimum and non-glare illumination of the face.

Duravit has developed an optional sound system for the mirror cabinets. It delivers an outstanding sound and is specially designed for the bathroom. All Bluetooth-compatible devices can be used to control the system and to stream music. As it is so easy to use, the sound system is also suitable for use in the project business.

Happy D.2 is thus ideally placed to follow in the illustrious footsteps of its iconic predecessor – and is also available at good value for money.

Karree focuses on corners and edges

Accessories play an important role in the overall bathroom design. Thanks to the skilful blend of functions and aesthetics, the new Karree accessories from Duravit give every bathroom an individual look. Whether square or rectangular, the programme comprises 15 individual items, offering practical solutions for living bathrooms.

Karree focuses consistently on a straight-lined, minimalist design to round off the overall concept for the bathroom. The combination of classic materials, chrome and glass, in a purist, clear-cut selection of forms, results in products that are so versatile that they harmonise with virtually all the Duravit series. Whether soap dish, toothbrush tumbler or glass shelf, the angular contrasts bring a dynamic touch to the feel-good bathroom.

The high quality of the materials and workmanship guarantees durability: the soap dispenser is made of hand-blown glass, whilst the bath-towel holder, towel shelf and bathtub handle are all mitre-cut. And all the articles that require installation are quick and easy to attach.

Brilliant sound in the bathroom

Music has a major influence on our mood. It relaxes and stimulates us and simply makes us feel good. With a completely new sound system, Duravit is introducing a sound quality into the bathroom that is on a par with that of first-class audio systems used in the home or automotive sector: a brilliant sound that is specially tailored to the acoustic situation in the bathroom, which features many sound-reflective materials.

Music is streamed wirelessly from all Bluetooth-compatible devices, such as smartphones, tablets, iPads or iPhones. The device only has to be connected once to the Duravit sound system. The connection between the two devices is then permanent and established automatically. For added convenience, the sound system is operated via the standard user interface of the individual device. This means that everyone can operate the sound system with ease. Up to eight different users can be registered in the system, so every member of the family can enjoy his or her own individual music! Furthermore, thanks to explicit password control, the Duravit sound system is also suitable for use in the commercial sector, further enhancing the atmosphere of hotel bathrooms.

The system’s technical components are integrated behind an elegant panel inside the mirror cabinet. The module comprises a high-quality 2.1 system with a total continuous output of 35 Watts, two patented 5 Watt flat-drive speakers and an additional 25 Watt active high-end woofer with passive radiator. Despite their compact form and reduced weight, the components offer unique acoustic properties and deliver a pleasant, surround-sound audio experience. Every detail of all the technical components is finished to the highest quality standards. A waterproof and moisture-resistant acoustic textile protects the Duravit sound system technology against splashwater. At the same time, it offers high acoustic permeability for an outstanding audio quality that fills the whole room.

The Duravit sound system can be optionally integrated in all mirror cabinets with LED technology from the Happy D.2, X-Large and Delos series. It can be controlled independently of the lighting and does not need an additional on/off switch. At less than 0.5 Watts, the power consumption in standby mode is lower than required by the Ecodesign Directive of the EU Commission.

Duravit adds the finishing touch to the Starck 2 redesign

Organic forms currently lead the way in interior design. Philippe Starck, one of today’s most gifted designers, recognised the appeal of natural flowing forms as many as 15 years ago. As early as 1998, Duravit presented Starck 2, a ceramic series inspired by the movement of water. Duravit has revamped the series to give it a new, more modern look, thus completing the successful redesign of the toilets and bidets.

However, Duravit has retained the fundamental design DNA of the successful series. The washbasins are still comfortably large with a convenient depth. One refreshing, exciting nuance in particular is simply ingenious: at first glance, the washing bowl appears circular but, on closer inspection, is revealed to be slightly oval. A tiny deviation from perfect symmetry that highlights the organic nature of the series.

The conical widening towards the wall has been retained as a typical feature of the washbasin with wall connection. It still features the successful, practical shelf area. In the new model, the base of the bowl is flat and sweeps vertically upwards through gently rounded corners.

Duravit completes the revision of Starck 2 with a new rectangular bathtub and new shower trays. The acrylic bathtub features one outstanding detail, the integrated neckrest. Inspired by archaic models, this element is typical of Philippe Starck. The neckrest forms a harmonious part of the overall design and resembles a board inset into the bathtub, enabling the user to lie back in comfort.

The series’ design principle has also been carried over to the shower trays, where it goes by the name of Starck Slimline. A characteristic design feature is the flat installation height enabling the rim to be reduced to just 20mm. The all-round rim is the ideal width for encompassing all standard shower enclosures. In addition to rectangular variants, quadrant-shaped shower trays are also available that comply with both national and international building standards.

Seen as a whole, the new features are a textbook example of how even small design nuances can have a significant impact. As a once more elegant ceramic range in the medium price category, Starck 2 is thus taking its rightful place amongst the equally successful Starck 1 and Starck 3 ranges. Duravit thus offers timelessly modern design from a single source that is the work of just one designer: Philippe Starck for every lifestyle and every budget.

X-Large: light and infinitely versatile

Today, many people want interior furnishings that provide both a counterbalance to their hectic everyday lives and somewhere to experience a sense of calm. These rooms are all about visual clarity and creating a sense of order. This means that generous storage space is required in order to hide away all kinds of utensils. Thanks to its architectural and reduced design, the X-Large furniture series by Duravit is visually calming. Sieger Design has used fine lines and elegant contours to reinterpret Duravit’s most varied bathroom series. Modern and infinitely versatile, X-Large now harmonises more than ever with the architectural and technical spirit of our times.

The lightness and the fine contour of the front edge of the consoles are important design features. They have a total thickness of 24 mm. However, only a particularly flat, reduced edge height of 12 mm is actually visible. This small but fine edge detail gives the console a shadow gap to create an almost floating effect. With a variable width of 80 to 200 cm, the consoles showcase the width of large rooms to optimum effect but are just as suitable as niche solutions for hotels or small rooms.

Matching consoles are available in two depths, namely 55 cm and a narrower 48 cm. This is a significant difference for small rooms in particular, where they also harmonise well with compact washbasins.

The X-Large furniture offers even greater variety. The vanity units are available in widths from 40 to 120 cm. They come either with a door, pull-out compartment or two drawers. Tall cabinets start from a width of 30 cm. In addition, a mobile storage unit with cushion offers space for further utensils and also doubles as a comfortable seat for people of all ages.

Eight different finishes are available, ranging from paint and décor to real wood. The programme has been extended to include finishes with a particularly natural feel, namely brushed, real-wood oak veneer and a natural walnut décor finish. Duravit has also added a matt white décor to the series.

All finishes are also available for the mirrors, which are capped by an elegant light canopy.  Innovative technology provides indirect, homogeneous LED light in an attractive colour for optimum illumination of the face without glare.

Duravit has developed an optional sound system for the mirror cabinets. This provides an outstanding sound and is specially designed for the bathroom. All Bluetooth-compatible devices can be used to control the system and to stream music. As it is so easy to use, the sound system is also suitable for use in the project sector.

The series comprises a total of 112 models in eight different surfaces and can thus be combined with all the current Duravit series.

Following lunch at Duravit, we were whisked away to the Hansgrohe Aquademie for the VIP Forum, where we were treated to presentations on Hansgrohe‘s ISH-News 2013 and toured its unique bathroom museum. Of special interest was a demonstration in the comany’s spray laboratory, where the evolution of the Hansgrohe showerhead and its inherent technology was showcased in a very visual and informative manner.

Hansgrohe – a Global Player from the Black Forest

Hansgrohe was founded in 1901 by Hans Grohe in Schiltach in the Black Forest and is still manufacturing at its headquarters. Hansgrohe is faithful to its place of origin in the Black Forest, to its global markets and to the demand for high quality standards of the label “Made in Germany“: the company is closely linked to the homeland and cosmopolitan at the same time.

Hansgrohe is a mid-sized company with strong family ties and part of the American multinational Masco Corporation. Masco has had an interest in Hansgrohe since 1985, is familiar with the sanitation industry and holds approximately 68 per cent of the shares in the unlisted Hansgrohe SE. Klaus Grohe, the youngest son of the company founder, heads the Supervisory Board after having directed the company for 33 years. In the meantime three sons of Klaus Grohe continue the family tradition in the company.

Hansgrohe has succeeded in combining domestic and international production. There are six plants in Germany, and one in France, the Netherlands, USA and China respectively. Hansgrohe distributes its products via its own subsidiaries in 37 countries and via importers in a further 100 states around the globe. Thus the company not only guarantees quality “Made in Germany”, short delivery routes and times, but also market-driven products. About two thirds of its 3,300 employees work in its six German factories, with more than 1,150 people working abroad.

 Hansgrohe. Das Original.

With the slogan “Hansgrohe. Das Original.” we describe the uniqueness of Hansgrohe in the areas of:

• Tradition
• Innovation
• Quality
• Design
• Emotion

The phenomenal success and commitment of the company in this field also highlights the social responsibility assumed by Hansgrohe. Within the scope of our public relations work it is important to process relevant information and topics for each individual field in a targeted and objective manner, offer interviews and “recount“ exciting stories, which will draw the attention of the media towards us.

Tradition and History

Hansgrohe is a company characterised by the family with an authentic, historically developed family culture and philosophy. The company has a broad understanding of the family. Members of the Grohe family have been actively involved in the management of the company since 1901. Because “whenever the lable states Hansgrohe, the Grohes are involved“. Klaus Grohe, the youngest son of the company‘s founder, has been active within his father‘s company since 1968 and has been head of the supervisory board of HansgroheSE since 2008. Prior to that he managed the company for 33 years. Three sons of Klaus Grohe are continuing the family tradition within the company: Richard Grohe has been deputy to the new CEO Siegfried Gänßlen and is managing the Hansgrohe brand. His brother Philippe is managing the Axor brand and Pierre Nicholas is acting as director of product planning & development for Hansgrohe North America.

The Hansgrohe company has been making bathroom history since its foundation in 1901. We will only mention a few examples of the many milestones set by Hansgrohe, like the first automatic drainage and overflow set (Excentra: 1934), the first shower bar (Unica: 1953), the first shower in the world with an adjustable  showering spray (Selecta: 1968), the showering temple (1989) and the showering panel (1993), the concealed plumbing unit ibox universal (2001), Raindance AIR-Technology (2004), the water-saving EcoSmart showers (2007) and the first dual-finish mixers Hansgrohe PuraVida (2009).

Innovation

Numerous inventions by Hansgrohe have given and are again and again giving important impulses to the international bathroom industry. Many inventions from Schiltach have set the benchmark and have become standards on a global scale. With their extraordinary ideas and continuous development, Hansgrohe products offer unique advantages:

- plenty of showering comfort combined with reduced water consumption with AIR-Technology
(AirPower),
- oversized showering fun (XXL Performance)
- ergonomic handling (ComfortZone)
- anti-scale function (QuickClean)
- efficient use of water and energy (EcoSmart)

Hansgrohe not only focuses on product innovations, but also on innovations in manufacture and logistics. State of the art production facilities with specialist tools and qualified specialists ensure the quality of the products worldwide.

Quality

Hansgrohe manufactures their products in Germany as well as on a global scale with the quality standard “Made in Germany“. Hansgrohe is emphatically committed to its location in Germany. Hansgrohe focuses on product quality which offers added value to the customer. Sophisticated technology, appealing design, functionality as well as products and manufacturing processes which conserve resources are the guiding principles governing the development of Hansgrohe‘s products. Due to its 111 years of experience in the sanitation industry Hansgrohe has the competence and credibility to develop individual bathroom solutions for the customer. Hansgrohe fulfills the desire for exclusivity with specialist hand-crafted items. Special requests from customers are manufactured by hand in the Axor-Manufaktur.

Design

Hansgrohe is regarded as the design pioneer in the sanitation industry. As the first company in the sanitation industry, Hansgrohe developed the ‘Sixty showering set’ at the end of the 1960s in cooperation with professional industrial designers. More than 300 internationally renowned design awards are proof of the highest level of quality in form and function of fittings, showers, showering and well-being systems. In the current ranking of the International Forum Design (iF)  of the world’s best enterprises in the field of design, Hansgrohe SE is in 20th position among 1,500 companies (December 2009).

The long-standing cooperation with acclaimed design greats such as Philippe Starck, Antonio Citterio, Jean-Marie Massaud and Phoenix Design are the basis for this pursuit of perfection in design.The realisation that good design is rewarded by being synonymous with creativity and quality of work enables Hansgrohe SE  to set new trends again and again and to extend their success in the market.

Emotion

The company and its products are geared towards experience in the bathroom. For this reason Hansgrohe and their products have a distinct character. A beautiful bathroom and a good shower – manufactured by Das Original – clearly provide more wellbeing. Hansgrohe is the perfect partner if the day is to start the right way with a shower. Showering is a sensual, very individual experience and provides the right kind of fun in combination with the correct shower from Hansgrohe. Hansgrohe spells individuality in capital letters: Hansgrohe offers suitable products for every showering type.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

Hansgrohe has always accepted its social responsibilities and is committed to sustainable economic management. The passion for the element of water manifests itself at all levels of the company – water as the source of life and a resource worth protecting, as a recharger of energy and as a refreshing liquidt.

Hansgrohe has consistently practised environmental management for years. The Hansgrohe group has, much earlier than anybody else, focused on the careful handling of resources and the use of renewable energy. Comprehensive information about the activities of the Hansgrohe group with regards to the economy, society and the environment can be found in the Hansgrohe Sustainability Report.Hansgrohe SE is the first company in the sanitation industry to have published such a report.

The final day saw a two-and-a-half-hour bus trip to the most southwesterly town in Germany, Weil am Rhein. It is a suburb of the city of Basel in Switzerland and is close to the point at which the Swiss, French and German borders meet. Here, we were given a guided tour of the Vitra Design Museum and VitraHaus as well as the other notable buildings at the Vitra campus.

Vitra – founded by Willi and Erika Fehlbaum, the owner of a shopfitting business – entered the furniture market in 1957 with the licensed production of furniture from the Herman Miller Collection for the European market – primarily, designs by Charles and Ray Eames and George Nelson. Today, Vitra’s product line consists of designer furniture for use in offices, homes and public areas. In 2002, the company took in the realm of domestic living.

After a major fire destroyed a large part of the Vitra production facilities in Weil am Rhein in 1981, British architect Nicholas Grimshaw was commissioned to design new factory buildings and develop a master plan for the company premises. Inspired by his acquaintance with Frank Gehry in the mid-1980s, however, Vitra departed from Grimshaw’s plan for a unified corporate project. Since that time, buildings have been erected on the Vitra grounds in Weil am Rhein by a wide ranging group of architects, including Frank Gehry (Vitra Design Museum and Factory Building, 1989), Zaha Hadid (Fire Station, 1993), Tadao Ando (Conference Pavilion, 1993), Alvaro Siza (Factory Building, 1994), Herzog & de Meuron (VitraHaus, 2010) and SANAA (Factory Building, 2011).

The Vitra Design Museum by Frank Gehry was the first public building on the campus as well as the architect’s first building in Europe. Today, the museum is partly based on Vitra’s own broad collection of 20th century furniture as well as host of visiting exhibitions. The Fire Station by Zaha Hadid was the first completed building by the Iraqi architect. The building consists of a garage for fire engines, showers and locker rooms for the fire fighters and a conference room with kitchen facilities. The Fire Station is a sculpture of cast, in-situ concrete that contrasts with the orthogonal order of the adjacent factory buildings like the frozen image of an explosion in a photograph. Today, the building functions as an exhibition space.

In the same year, a conference pavilion of Japanese architect Tadao Ando was also constructed on the Vitra grounds. It was Ando’s first work outside Japan. The calm and restrained structure encompasses an assortment of conference rooms. It is characterised by a highly ordered spatial articulation, with a large part of its volume concealed below ground. In the year 2000, the Campus was augmented with the addition of the Dome: a lightweight geodesic structure after Richard Buckminster Fuller, which was developed by TC Howard at Charter Industries in 1975 and transplanted from its original location in Detroit, USA, to Weil am Rhein. It is currently used as a space for events. In 2003, a petrol station by the French designer Jean Prouvé – originally constructed in 1953 – was moved to the Vitra Campus.

The VitraHaus by Herzog & de Meuron, the latest addition to the Vitra Campus, opened in 2010 as the company’s flagship store and home of the Vitra Home Collection. The concept of the VitraHaus connects two themes that appear repeatedly in the oeuvre of the Basel-based architects: the theme of the archetypal house and the theme of stacked volumes. After lunch at the design studio, we boarded the bus for a five-hour trip to the Frankfurt airport, where the majority of the delegates caught their flight back to South Africa.

This leading platform offers contractors, engineers, quantity surveyors, architects, designers and property owners a one-stop-shop to identify viable project tenders and the materials that will help them to complete their projects on budget and on time.

Manufacturers, transporters, and processors of concrete will be provided with access to South Africa and Africa’s most influential project owners to build relationships, evaluate new technologies, overcome industry challenges and identify new and future commercial partners.

Our agents on duty will assist you in finding the perfect home or dream holiday house on the North Coast and with the various product and services suppliers that showcase their products on display you are able to find the perfect solution for renovating or just adding a touch of class to your living spaces.

The Décor and Property Warehouse is not just a Home and Décor show, but a permanent facility, open 7 days a week.  Once launched, there will be an excess of 50 suppliers ‘exhibiting’ their services and products and this facility will soon become a well-known pioneer brand in South Africa’s property, interior design and landscape industry. And what makes it even more attractive is that there is no cover charge for visitors.

The official launch of the Décor and Property Warehouse, Ballito will be hosted over a period of three days where media, suppliers, clients and visitors are able to view this unique showroom from Thursday, 28 February until Saturday, 2 March.

For more information on the launch events, contact Andre-B on 031 576 9600.  Should you be interested to showcase your products or services at the Property Warehouse, contact Lisa on 074 584 4114

Jointly presented by the SA Paint Manufacturing Association (SAPMA) and the Oil and Colour Chemists’ Association (OCCA) of the UK, Coatings for Africa is backed by the Department of Trade & Industry and is the largest coatings exhibition and symposium on the African continent. It carries the official endorsement of the Department of Trade and Industries and delegates from all over Africa and overseas are expected to attend the two-day symposium preceded by a gala dinner.

The four keynote speakers are all particularly active in ecological issues. They are:

• Brian Wilkinson, CEO of the Green Building Council of South Africa and a dedicated proponent of the financial viability of commercial green buildings;
• Prof Angela Mathee, director of the Medical Research Council’s Environment and Health Research Unit, SA’s pioneering campaigner against lead in paint;
• Tony Mash, former CEO of the British Coatings Federation, and an international authority on sustainability in the paint industry; and
• Clem Sunter, renowned “scenario planner” in the corporate environment, who recently facilitated sessions on global warming in New Delhi and London.

The topics to be covered by the 39 speakers from all over the world also reflect the coatings industry’s global concern for environmental protection.

Papers will be delivered on, for, example, “Green but excellent” (Dr Eugen Beketow of the University of Hamburg); “Responsible packaging” (Liz Anderson of the Responsible Packing Management Association of SA); “Low odour, low VOC paints” (Touria Gharrafi, an authority from Belgium); “Is a claim for VOC paints legitimate?” (Dr Cor Beyers, leading SA polymer chemist); and “Binders for environmentally benign coatings (Dr Peter Mueller of Vortex Pharmaceuticals in the USA).

Other papers to cover “green” subjects and compliance with future governmental legislation on the use of Volatile Organic Compounds in coatings, for example, deal with “Designing environmentally friendly coatings”, “New waterborne resins for decorative coatings meeting Total VOC requirements”, “Formulating greener alkyd-based coatings”, and “Developments in matting agents to meet VOC compliant coatings”.

Apart from the sessions dealing with sustainability, CfA 2013 will also feature separate sessions devoted to Industrial Coatings, Decorative Coatings, Colours in Coatings, Pigments and Dispersions in Coatings, and Processing and Measurements in Coatings.

Danny Grady, SAPMA/OCCA Coatings for Africa 2013 Committee chairperson, says as a result of the DTI support there will be strong attendance by trade delegations from Sub-Saharan states. OCCA’s links with many trade and technical associations all over the world has already attracted many delegates from overseas.

“Furthermore, the format of Coatings for Africa will this year accommodate a greater commercial element in addition to its traditional technology transfer element – so this promises to be the most important event yet for the African coatings industry. SAPMA has for long called on members to become more global players so this will be an important opportunity for local companies to extend their activities beyond our borders,” Grady stated.

For more information about CfA 2013, contact Michelle Angelica on email michelle@confco.co.za or tel 021 914 2715 or visit www.coatingsforafrica.org.za