RAK Ceramics Opened Their New Global Design Hub in London

RAK Ceramics PJSC one of the largest ceramics brands in the world, announced the opening of its first global Design Hub in London. Located at 100 St John Street, in the heart of London’s design quarter for designers, architects and developers, the RAK Ceramics Design Hub is one of the largest in the area, with 7,276 square feet over two floors.

Abdallah Massaad, Group CEO, RAK Ceramics said “London is the obvious choice to launch our first global Design Hub concept. The UK is an increasingly important market for RAK Ceramics, and London is home to many of the world’s leading designers, architects, and project specifiers. The RAK Ceramics Design Hub is a unique concept where the design community can experience the innovative possibilities of our products.”

Many signature products will be displayed, including a new collection from world-renowned fashion designer ELIE SAAB along with products from designers Maurizio Scuttella, Debiasi & Sandri, and Patrick Nourget.

Commenting on the design hub concept, Leonardo De Muro, VP of Marketing & Communications, RAK Ceramics said: “The RAK Ceramics Design Hub is a unique concept in our retail portfolio which allows us to bring together the design community, showcase unique products, and create a brand experience that is both inspiring and informative.”

The official launch of the RAK Ceramics Design Hub took place on May 24, 2022, during the Clerkenwell Design Week. To celebrate its opening, designers Maurizio Scuttella, Federico Sandri, and Patrick Nourget hosted a series of special talks at the RAK Ceramics Design Hub.

Commenting on the opening, Alvin Biggs, Managing Director, RAK Ceramics (UK), said: “We are proud that London has been selected as the location for RAK Ceramics’ first global Design Hub, and we look forward to welcoming the international design community to showcase RAK Ceramics’ global product innovations.”

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This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features modern and fun bathroom designs for a contemporary apartment by 2021 SBID Awards Finalist, Studio Modha.

What was the client’s brief? 

The client wanted a complete refurbishment of his flat, opening up the space as much as possible, drawing inspiration from hotel suites and nature around it.

This flat had not been updated in over 10-15 years. We completely refurbished the flat, transforming it from a two bed, one bathroom and one wc to a three bed property with two full bathrooms. The client requested a modern and fun scheme, which we layered with complimentary colours and features. We revamped the whole apartment, from the kitchen to sanitary ware, flooring, lighting, window treatments and hardware.

What inspired the design of the project?

The Project was based in the docklands, surrounded by so much nature, e.g. river Thames and local parks. We wanted to bring in the earthy tones and textures, for example with the terrazzo effect tiles and the warm greys, browns and blues throughout. In addition, the client wanted to feel like he was in a different space through-out the property so we used different colours and textures in each space, including dead salmon from farrow and ball. Not a colour we get to use often and definitely a brave one!

What was the toughest hurdle your team overcame during the project?

We had a soil pipe that was really far off the ground in the guest bathroom, and because it was in a flat we couldn’t move it!  This created a huge issue as the client had his heart set on a wetroom shower. We ended up having to raise the floor significantly (a whole 25cm)  which brought up the issue of ceiling height (which wasn’t huge in the first place). We ended up having to increase the height of the shower head and create 2 step ups instead of 1 to make it look like the ‘step up’ was intentional. Luckily it all worked out in the end and made the shower area feel even more lux!

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

It’s got to be overcoming the hurdle I described in the previous question, we went back and forth for weeks thinking of a solution so you can imagine the joy when we finally came up with one. Another thing to mention is that our client didn’t want to see any of the progress on site, so the look on his face when he saw it all finished was really rewarding to see.

Why did you enter this project into the SBID Awards?

Honestly, it was Studio Modha’s first year running and one of the first projects we completed. I have always admired the caliber of designers/studios and projects within the awards and only dreamed of being a part of it. It was a huge shock when I received the congratulatory email!

Questions answered by Neha Modha, Director, Studio Modha.

VitrA introduces Liquid – a new bathroom range designed in collaboration with Tom Dixon. Liquid is the first ever bathroom range by the acclaimed British designer.

The range is the latest addition to VitrA’s portfolio of designer collaborations, part of a long-standing programme of working with world-renowned designers to create distinctive, modern bathroom collections to complement any washroom space. The Liquid range is founded on round-edges, generous shapes and timeless designs. Described by Tom Dixon as ‘contemporary without being of the moment’, it offers an alternative to the widespread skinny, minimalist designs.

Liquid encompasses all elements of the bathroom – sanitaryware, furniture, taps, tiles, showers and accessories – designed to work together or as stand-alone pieces.

The range includes a variety of washbasin options, including round basins, a butler sink and a double washbasin, as well as a statement monoblock washbasin which is moulded as a single piece of ceramic. The furniture units are available in either a fluted glass or a black metal mesh door finish. Alternatively, for a striking contrast, there is an open-storage unit with impressive blue glass shelving.

Liquid’s taps combine conical handles with exuberant tubular bodies. Ten different styles of taps include wall-mounted, deck-mounted and built-in options, as well as touchless, are all available in gloss black or chrome. The all-in-one shower column includes a hand shower that connects magnetically to the body, while the stainless steel floor-mounted shower can be used inside or outside.

Liquid’s range of toilets, bidets and urinals carry the collection’s monumental curves. The toilets and bidets come in wall-hung or floor-standing designs, and the urinal uses touchless technology.

The range also includes a suite of accessories including a hook, toilet roll holder, toilet brush holder and double soap dispenser. The accessories also incorporate ceramic pieces, including shelves in two lengths and a stool which can act as a practical addition, not just for the bathroom, but in other living spaces too.

The wall tiles in Liquid feature four different styles of embossed dots and waves that reflect ripples in the water, and can be creatively configured in an almost endless possibility of ways. Available in five colours – white, black, ecru, grey and sage green.

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Introducing the Fusion Collection from leading British manufacturer of the finest architectural hardware, Croft. With a history of over 150 years, Croft remain a family-owned company that specialise in crafting unique, hand-finished decorative hardware that displays unparalleled attention to detail.

Incapsulating industrial architecture whilst successfully balancing style, strength and quality, the Fusion Collection comprises of a door handle on a covered rose, T bar mortice knob, bathroom turn, and cabinet fittings in over 25 different finishes and patinas, including Light Antique Brass and Autumn Bronze to add warmth to the home.

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Timeless elegance is guaranteed with Versilia Marble from RAK Ceramics, a porcelain tile that will bring an air of luxury to any setting.

Inspired by the natural, effortless beauty of marble, with all the practical advantages that porcelain brings to interiors, Versilia Marble displays striking grey veining set against a neutral white backdrop for instant attention.

Durable, straightforward to install and easy to care for, this revised classy marble surface is the ideal choice for worktops, wall surfaces and floor coverings. The high gloss finish gives the material the edge, even when used over compact spaces where reflecting light equals the illusion of spaciousness.

Tapping into the continental trend for worktops with a slim profile, Versilia Marble is 9mm thick and in measurements from 60x120cm per tile. The Mega Slab format allows for greater consistency when used over large areas, with less need for grout lines and a seamless finish.

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This week’s instalment of Project of the Week series features a luxurious and warm bathroom design by 2021 SBID Awards Finalist, Crimson Park Design.

An 80’s-era ensuite bathroom in Bellevue, WA, USA is opened up to solve outdated design and inefficient geometry. Featured are custom Sinker Cypress vanity, linen cabinet, and a 48” wide barn-style door with header and column, also of Sinker Cypress. A white ofuro-style tub, backed by new floor-to-ceiling glazing, sits in a stream of black polished river stones extending along the East wall under the vanity. Full slab, sumi-e-esque quartz lines the shower. Large field, textured Italian porcelain tile runs, offset, from West to East and up the wall behind the vanity. “When I walk into my bathroom I feel like a queen.” – Client, M. Chandler.

What was the client’s brief? 

• Update bathroom design and create a spa feel
• Clean and bright without being sterile
• Plan for future aging-in-place
• The bathroom has to be warm. Always.
• Sufficient storage – (items to be stored were inventoried to assure sufficient storage)
• Plenty of outlets at vanity
• No handles or hardware to bump into, or catch on clothing
• A bench large enough to sit on and to hold clothes

What inspired the design of the project?

I wanted to create a space that would allow my client to feel that her bathroom is a place of refuge; a place where she can begin and end her day at an arm’s length from the stress of life; a place to feel refreshed. I was fortunate enough to be given the creative freedom to incorporate some of my artistic sensibility into the design. After having As-Builts created, I began to sketch conceptual shapes in plan view, with the goal of keeping the main plumbing sites relatively intact. I like to work with organic shapes, and Mary gave me a bit of a free hand in coming up with design elements. In my art I tend to use circles, spirals, and other curving lines. I let instinct guide my pencil to create lines that would soften the space and hard angles that draw the eye around the room. I, then, scaled the concept back to reality and budget, keeping one curving line for the black river rock stream. The tile was cut to my hand drawn line that had been translated to a template by the CAD tech.

What was the toughest hurdle your team overcame during the project?

The most challenging part of the project was tackling the angle of the bedroom-to-bath transition hallway relative to the opening of the bathroom, in order to enclose the space, reducing the draft. I designed the Sinker Cypress header and column to properly catch the bespoke sliding door. It took a couple of iterations but I’m pleased with the result, which is a monolithic, yet in-scale, practical and user-friendly design element, warming the space both literally and aesthetically.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

The highlights of any project for me are the joy of problem solving and collaboration with the client, craftsmen, and contractors through the design and build process; seeing all of the components come together as I envisioned; and delighting my client. A happy client is the best reward.

Why did you enter this project into the SBID Awards?

When the Chandler Bath Oasis was complete, I felt that something special had been created. I wanted to put it out into the world to gauge the response. I aimed high when entering the SBID Awards; it is clear that the SBID recognizes design excellence. I appreciate the thoughtfulness I sense from the organization, and the sense of community that the SBID works to create. Crimson Park Design is incredibly honoured to be recognized as a finalist by the SBID, validating my instinct about the strength of my design, and the work of my partners.

Questions answered by Shelli Park, Principal, Crimson Park Design.

As a contrast to the hectic outside world, consumers are looking for valuable me-time to relax body, mind, and soul. At home, the bathroom is often a vital place for finding a moment of peace.

Providing the right products to meet customers’ high demands and helping them to create their own personal retreats is key, with awareness around wellness and health at an all-time high. In response to the growing health and wellness trend, GROHE, a leading global brand for complete bathroom solutions and kitchen fittings, is extending its premium product portfolio with the reinvented GROHE Allure line and the new GROHE Rainshower Aqua Body sprays for an enhanced shower experience. No matter if you are designing a spa landscape for a resort or a private bathroom, GROHE offers the freedom to tailor the space to your customers’ needs.

Progressive designs and carefully chosen materials, finishes, and colours, combined with high-end technology, will stand out in any bathroom project.

“These exclusive new products are especially dedicated to architects and designers who want to transform their clients’ bathrooms into a holistic wellness oasis at home that becomes a perfect hideaway to recharge body, mind, and soul. GROHE Allure is defined by a progressive design that allows full design coordination, creating unique bathroom experiences. These memorable, unique spaces will stand out in any project. In addition, a palette of carefully curated colours and finishes enables architects and designers to add a personal touch,” says Patrick Speck, Leader, LIXIL Global Design, EMENA.

Luxury and sophistication for the bathroom with the reinvention of GROHE Allure

The popular GROHE Allure tap line has been updated. The design statement captivates with its minimalist and extraordinarily slim design – now even more appealing due to its refined aesthetic. By combining state-of-the-art water technology with German craftsmanship, the tap offers a distinctive highlight. Thanks to distinct haptic feedback, the precision control of the three-hole basin mixer offers a unique tactile experience and improves interaction.

The new GROHE Allure offers designers and architects the opportunity to create a perfectly harmonious bathroom experience according to their customers’ personal tastes. The versatile range also encompasses floor-mounted taps and waterfall spouts for the bathtub, which allow for a holistic, coordinated design. For tasteful accents in the bathroom, the Allure line offers a choice of different colours and finishes: Chrome, Brushed Cool Sunrise, Brushed Warm Sunset, and Hard Graphite – all perfectly coordinated with GROHE Allure Accessories.

A soothing shower experience for the home spa

With the Rainshower Aqua Body sprays GROHE launches a showering highlight which upgrades the daily routine with a pulsating water massage. Control is intuitive via a pop-up design: when the water is activated, the body sprays pop out of the cover plate, allowing users to switch between the Rain and Active Jet spray easily by simply turning them. When the water is turned off, the body sprays pull back and blend into the shower surround
completely, resulting in a slim, minimalist design for optimised space in the shower.

Full freedom of choice is guaranteed with round and square designs, available in different GROHE Colours to match any bathroom style. Additionally, the new body sprays enable eco-conscious water usage thanks to water-saving GROHE EcoJoy technology. GROHE Rainshower Aqua Body sprays make it easy to successfully combine responsible consumption with a luxurious showering experience.

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