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.
The space allows visitors to explore limitless design possibilities for their projects and showcases a wide range of RAK Ceramics bathroom ranges, kitchen taps, and brassware. The location also offers meeting facilities and a dedicated area showing the brand’s extensive range of tiles, including mega slabs, which can be used for cladding, tiling, surfacing, and as unique decorative pieces.
The RAK Ceramics Design Hub will be an interactive and immersive environment designed to inspire creativity and includes a working kitchen display, working tap display, Virtual Worlds 4D Theatre and a Grab and Go sample area.
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.”
About RAK Ceramics
RAK Ceramics is one of the largest ceramics’ brands in the world. Specialising in ceramic and grès porcelain wall and floor tiles, tableware, sanitaryware and faucets, the company has the capacity to produce 123 million square metres of tiles, 5 million pieces of sanitaryware, 24 million pieces of porcelain tableware and 1 million pieces of faucets per year at its 22 state-of-the-art plants across the United Arab Emirates, India and Bangladesh. Founded in 1989 and headquartered in the United Arab Emirates, RAK Ceramics serves clients in more than 150 countries through its network of operational hubs in Europe, Middle East and North Africa, Asia, North and South America and Australia.
If you’d like to feature your product news here, get in touch to find out more.
If you’d like to become SBID Accredited, click here for more information.
Opening in the heart of Clerkenwell’s design quarter during Design Week 2022, RAK Ceramics is launching their inaugural Design Hub – a go-to destination for designers, architects and developers looking to explore the possibilities of choosing RAK Ceramics products for their projects.
The Design hub will feature the first UK display of a brand-new collaboration with renowned fashion designer Elie Saab which will feature a range of edits from the Elie Saab Maison collection.
To mark the opening several renowned European designers will provide their Design Insight in a series of inspirational talks and seminars during Clerkenwell Design Week.
These include Giuseppe Scutella, who collaborated with RAK Ceramics on its luxurious RAK-Cloud and RAK-Petit collections and Federico Sandri, one half of the design duo behind the beautiful RAK-Variant collection. Guests at the Design Hub opening events can also hear from Patrick Norguet, on the thinking behind the RAK-Valet sanitaryware range.
Tours of the Design Hub will take place during the launch party on Tuesday 24 May, with guests invited to enjoy a cocktail and evening entertainment to mark the opening ceremony.
For a full list of events and to book visit the Clerkenwell Design Week website.
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.
In this week’s interview with 2021 SBID Awards winner for the Bathroom & Sanitaryware Product category, RAK Ceramics, the designer Patrick Norguet talks about the industry trends’ influence on the designing process and shares his predictions on the future bathroom design direction.
SBID Awards Category: Bathroom & Sanitaryware
Practice: RAK Ceramics
Entry: RAK Valet
It is always important to measure the reaction to a product or a collection and the industry recognition that the Award demonstrates is an important indicator of the likely success of the product once it is available commercially. For me as a designer, it is always pleasant to receive congratulations for my work and that of my team.
As with any first collaboration I spent a lot of time trying to understand a brand, its origin, its strategy, its culture, and its production capacity. RAK- Valet is the result of this research. Beyond the design, the success of a product is also about timing. RAK-Valet brings together all the elements, thus making the collection a sweet blend of elegance and modernity.
The word trend is contradictory to a designer’s work. My job is to understand the evolution that is needed related to a particular company or industrial sector. RAK Ceramics came to me as they were looking to increase the perceived value of their products, with a unique collection that has an international cultural approach. I think we succeeded in this challenge with our first collaboration.
To answer your question, which is often asked of me, my inspiration comes from my work. As a designer as well as an industrialist, I like to offer products that make sense, because there are too many objects already surrounding us. My inspiration therefore comes from a conscious and unconscious set of things that nourish my creativity according to what is needed.
It is an interesting subject because the bathroom for several years has become much more of a living space and a room in its entirety.
The notion of comfort and well-being is at the heart of the needs of our Western society. Tomorrow may be different. The density of the population has an impact on us and our living spaces, so it is therefore also necessary to think and design spaces that are more compact, but that offer quality. Bathroom design also needs to address societal challenges, like the consumption of energy and water, maintaining comfort while bringing meaning to our actions.
It would be terrible for me to settle for one award alone. To design and offer products correctly, it is important for an industrialist to establish a collaboration that lasts over time. I hope that this first collection designed for RAK Ceramics will lead to a continued relationship and to win another SBID Award in the future. In the meantime, I am focused on many projects ahead of the Milan show in April 2022.
My advice would be that it is a difficult job, which requires a lot of work and skill, but it is also a job that offers a lot of freedom. So never give up and work hard.
Questions answered by Patrick Norguet, RAK-VALET Collection Designer, RAK Ceramics.
RAK Ceramics is one of the largest ceramics’ brands in the world. Specialising in ceramic and gres porcelain wall and floor tiles and sanitaryware we produce 123 million square meters of tilesand5 million pieces of sanitaryware per year at our 22 state-of-the-art plants across the United Arab Emirates, India and Bangladesh.
If you missed last week’s Interview with the category Residential Apartment Over £1M winner IAIA – Idea Art Interior Architects, click here to read it.
What are the latest tile trends that are worthy of note for interior designers? Ben Bryden, Sales and Marketing Director at RAK Ceramics UK, takes a look.
Practical, versatile and stylish flooring solutions don’t get much better than porcelain tiles. Strong and durable, this is a material that is suited to all areas, commercially and domestically.
Lava Concrete is a versatile collection that suits any setting, either with a contemporary or minimalist mood, and is suitable for residential projects through to the contract market. Lava Concrete can be chosen in five colours – Dark Grey, Light Grey, Beige, White and Mix Grey – and is available in a range of sizes to suit the application.
The manufacturing process of porcelain, which uses a finer and denser clay combined with high temperature and high pressure, results in a material that is far stronger than other types of ceramic, which is what makes this a material that is highly suited for flooring. Bathrooms benefit in particular from the properties of porcelain, which because of its density is extremely resistant to humidity and water.
The Fashion Stone collection makes a powerful statement with its sheer simplicity. Packed full of sass and contemporary style, this is the ideal tile choice for creating a minimalist look and feel.
Another major reason for the popularity of porcelain is the sheer versatility of the material. Colour and style choice is almost endless and finishes are also variable, giving designers a huge amount of creative freedom and enabling the material to be chosen for almost any application. Tiles can be printed or embossed in numerous ways and solid floor tiles can be mixed-and-matched in patterns and colours in any number of ways. They can be chosen to match or contrast with wall tiling and splashbacks for a cohesive look and can be chosen to replicate the look of many hardwoods and natural stones for the ultimate luxe look.
Solid, durable and extremely versatile, RAK Ceramics Curton are stone-look porcelain tiles that make a highly attractive visual impact.
Tiles with a subtle or a bold marble-effect pattern work well when teamed with materials such as wood, bringing nature indoors and creating a calming, timeless and high-end look that works well across all areas, from public to more private. Porcelain also offers a wonderful opportunity to introduce pops of colour to the setting, with vibrant colourways offering a brilliant way to catch the eye and turn a specific area into a focal point.
RAK Ceramics Circle Wood is a wood effect tile that brings nature indoors in the most practical of ways, ideal for high traffic areas, such as the kitchen.
Installation of the tiles themselves is also straightforward, with mega slabs from RAK Ceramics minimising grout lines and creating a luxe look.
RAK Ceramics is one of the largest ceramics’ brands in the world. Specialising in ceramic and grès porcelain wall and floor tiles, tableware, sanitaryware and faucets. Founded in 1989 and headquartered in the United Arab Emirates, RAK Ceramics serves clients in more than 150 countries through its network of operational hubs in Europe, Middle East and North Africa, Asia, North and South America and Australia.
Turning the finishing touch into a focal point of the bathroom, RAK-Sorrento from RAK Ceramics is a brassware collection that offers a solution for every installation. Available in four finishes to meet every design requirement, this latest brassware range offers the opportunity to bring individual flair into the bathroom.
RAK-Sorrento has a timeless elegance, with a long body and spout combined with single lever control for a modern twist. As well as Polished Chrome, the brassware can also be chosen in on-trend Brushed Gold, Brushed Nickel or Matt Black.
The RAK-Sorrento basin mixers are available in three sizes – standard, medium and tall – enabling the brassware to be combined effortlessly with any washbasin, with a wall-mounted basin mixer also included in the range. For the bath, RAK-Sorrento offers an abundance of choice, including deck-mounted, exposed and freestanding options.
The sleek styling of RAK-Sorrento is carried through to the shower, with a choice of thermostatic valves that complete the streamlined look.
Giving any bathroom a stylish makeover, RAK-Sorrento delivers an excellent performance and is backed by a full manufacturer’s warranty.
RAK Ceramics help to create icons and build marvels; their products feature in some of the most iconic buildings in the world. They are known for their wide product range and ability to produce bespoke ranges for both small and large scale projects, enabling the clients to bring their ideas to life.
To become an accredited member of the SBID, click here.
RAK Ceramics, one of the leading ceramics’ brands in the world, unveiled its latest tiles and sanitaryware collections at Cersaie, one of the largest and most important international ceramics exhibitions which takes place annually in Bologna, Italy.
RAK Ceramics continues to provide its customers with ‘Room for Imagination’ and presented a complete collection of innovative new tiles, sanitaryware and complementary bathroom furniture and accessories. Displayed on one single stand RAK Ceramics continues to establish itself as the world leading ceramics lifestyle solutions provider.
Through-body veining is a RAK Ceramics innovation that enables natural marble veins to pass through the entire thickness of an unglazed porcelain slab with breath-taking results.
Thanks to innovative printing technology, pattern repetition is kept to a minimum and the delicate lines throughout the slab surface appear random and natural. From floors to wall surfaces and kitchen worktops, the effect is particularly dramatic when the product is used over large areas, with RAK-Preziosi being just one example.
Inspired by the elegance of marble, RAK-Preziosi has a smooth to the touch finish and a distinctive patterning that make this porcelain surface a stand-out backdrop feature wherever it is used. The epitome of luxury and sophistication, this maximus marble collection is also available in the trend-setting open book effect in a huge range of sizes, thicknesses and design solutions and can be chosen in several colours, including Green, Ocean, Pearl, Rio and Rock.
Among the many RAK Ceramics bathroom sanitaryware solutions to be shown at Cersaie, a highlight will be RAK-Valet. Designed by Patrick Norguet, the collection brings together the creative flair of the French designer and the manufacturing quality of RAK Ceramics.
The RAK-Valet collection, available in matt and glossy finishes, features thin-profiled washbasins, a generously sized, luxurious bathtub and sanitaryware with elongated lines. The collection is completed with details such as metal legs and towel rails or the functional and highly elegant little ceramic shelf, yet another design triumph by Norguet.
RAK-Valet also co-ordinates perfectly with some of the most successful furniture ranges by RAK Ceramics, such as the newly released RAK-Joy Uno cabinets and mirrors.
Abdallah Massaad, Group CEO, RAK Ceramics commented:
“We are proud to present our new collections at Cersaie 2021, especially at such an extraordinary time. Cersaie is an essential event on our marketing calendar and one of great strategic importance for RAK Ceramics. In recent months we have put all efforts into strengthening our positioning as a lifestyle solution provider by developing new collections for bathroom floors, surfaces, large-format tiles, sanitaryware and accessories, all of which are perfectly coordinated.”
With the size of the average UK bathroom measuring around 4.4m2, the latest designer collection from RAK Ceramics solves the problem of creating luxury results in compact spaces. In fact, RAK-Petit is designed specifically with small bathrooms in mind with a transversal collection of washbasins designed for architects and interior designers who address the spatially-challenged environments.
Created in collaboration with award-winning Italian designer Maurizio Scutellà, RAK-Petit is a collection of small washbasins for compact spaces, from cloakrooms and en-suites to small family bathrooms. With minimal shapes and modest dimensions, RAK-Petit washbasins are perfect for small but special bathroom spaces that are also big on style.
The collection includes deep-based washbasins that can be installed alone or combined with RAK-Joy vanity units in the domestic bathrooms, as well as freestanding washbasins that are statement pieces in their own right.
Featuring circular and square shapes, the freestanding ceramic RAK-Petit washbasins in striking Alpine White measure an elegant 360mm wide x 900mm tall. RAK-Petit wall-hung washbasins are equally as stylish, again with round or square basin shapes combined with a ceramic ledge, providing an easy to wipe clean surface for soaps and toothbrushes. Measurements for the wall-hung basins are 765mm x 360mm.
This July SBID members showcase their latest product news with flexible bathroom interior solutions, exclusive trade offers for interior designers and unique, halo-inspired architectural luminaires. Featuring innovative solid surfaces, stylish matt-black finishes and digitally-enhanced taps.
Creativity comes out on top with RAK-Plano
RAK-Plano countertop surfaces from RAK Ceramics combine elegance, durability and practicality, transforming the RAK-Joy or RAK-Joy Uno vanity unit into a versatile piece of bathroom furniture. Available in three different TECHWOOD finishes and in the manufacturer’s innovative matt white RAKSOLID material, RAK-Plano is a one-piece vanity top, without joints that can be drilled and cut (if necessary) directly on site. This gives designers complete freedom in positioning the washbasin and mixer. Available in a range of colours, the countertop combines easily with any décor, responding to trends in bathroom design; from Matt White, Grey Elm, Scandinavian Oak and Mokka Walnut.
RAK-SOLID is an incredibly durable solid surface material, composed of a mixture of natural minerals and resins, exuding consistent quality and performance. Just as hardwearing and simple to care for, TECHWOOD is a wood effect material that gives the tactile impression of real timber, produced from polypropylene recyclable material.
Click to shop
Powell & Bonnell introduce the halo-inspired luminaire, Celeste Sconce
The iconic depiction of the halo in Romanesque art served as the visual origin point for the Celeste Sconce. Designer, Jake Oliveira set out to create a luminaire that would honour a mother’s protective, enveloping embrace of her child. This imagery was interpreted as a marriage between two pure and simple silhouettes which draw attention to the interplay of light and shadow. The first stand-out feature of the piece is it’s composition, which consists of an ethereal resin bulb that floats effortlessly within the shade. The immaculate fusion of both elements was the result of endless hours of engineering and iteration, utilizing 3D printed and polyurethane tools to stablish an angled shade with architectural overhang.
Since contrast was such an essential ingredient in the Celeste Sconce’s makeup, careful material selection and the union between the chosen materials was paramount. The shade is fabricated from porous sand-cast metal, specifically brass, bronze, or aluminum. Sand-casting is a forgery technique that has been used since 704 BC. With an organic nature and human aesthetic, the artful finish carries the story of the hands that made it. This is paired with a sleek resin bulb which is poured via the modern technique of silicone slip-casting. A highly refined, polished lip on the shade’s edge helps to coalesce the pitted nature of the metal with the sculptural smooth bulb. The bulb can be cast in any of Powell & Bonnell’s resin colours, allowing for a dynamic pop of colour.
GROHE supports energy and water saving with first digitally-enhanced tap, GROHE Plus
With its brand new GROHE Plus basin taps, global bathroom and kitchen fittings brand GROHE now offers users the possibility to accurately control the water temperature of their basin tap using the innovations of digitally-enhanced design. The digital upgrade within the existing GROHE Plus collection not only enables safe water enjoyment, but also supports users’ increasing desire for sustainable living. Using the principle of “nudging”, a concept from behavioral economics, users are made aware through a visual colour change displayed on the spout of the tap when hot water is flowing – often unnecessarily – in order to encourage users to avoid wasting energy. This design approach promotes responsible use of the valuable resource of water and saves energy at the same time.
The eco-friendly functionality of GROHE Plus is reinforced by its accessible Eco Spray setting. To switch from the standard spray to the more refined Eco Spray of just four litres per minute, which reduces water consumption without compromising on user comfort or experience, users can simply swipe their hand over the lit icon on top of the spout to activate the sensor-controlled system which will change the water flow. The GROHE Plus collection is also future-oriented in its hybrid design language, which skillfully combines cubic and organic shapes. This makes the range a real statement for every modern bathroom, both in terms of sustainability and progressive design elements. At the same time, the design supports ergonomic comfort and invites interaction with a 90-degree swivel spout to increase functionality and user-friendliness.
KEUCO Black Concept collection adds an elegant touch in a modern bathroom
When it comes to modern furnishing, black surfaces and finishes catch the eye, offering a luxurious and stylish appearance. If black is destined to be a key colour in your bathroom designs; KEUCO has an extensive range of products within their Black Concept collection.
KEUCO’s EDITION 11 bathroom furniture is available with a stylish black metallic-pigmented lacquer finish. The vanity units, sideboards, storage units are all designed handle-free with a soft-touch closing system. This noble matt-black look exudes an air of elegance and extravagance, yet the velvet matt quality of the bathroom furniture ensures the room maintains cosy in atmosphere. The modern yet honest design elements of EDITION 11 shower heads, fittings and accessories in brushed black chrome create a minimalistic look with an elegant contrast when combined with white ceramic washbasins. The Black Concept collection offers a range of interior solutions for any darkly accentuated, colour coordinated bathroom design with matt-black surfaces and metallic optics which results in a sleek and sophisticated space.
John lewis & Partners Business support designers with exclusive trade discount
John Lewis & Partners Business support Interior Designers, Architects and Home Stagers to procure items for your projects. The supply chain has presented many with challenges over the past year and John Lewis & Partners Business have also had to navigate through this turbulent time. Their priority is helping design professionals access John Lewis & Partners home collections, whether that be dining chairs, mattresses, wallpaper or tea towels! Offering immediate visibility of what is available, if it’s in stock on johnlewis.com then a dedicated trade team at John Lewis & Partners Business can hand hold your purchase. In addition for 2021, they are exclusively offering interior designers an increased trade discount of 20% when ordering full price pieces from the Home assortment*.
*Discount not applied to reduced or special buy prices and excludes electrical, technology and bespoke orders.
Email [email protected]
Sourcing for your next project? Explore the exclusive SBID Directories in SBIDPro to help solve your interior specification needs! Sign in to discover more.
This month’s industry news features new-to-market products across residential and commercial design from exclusive designer collaborations in lighting and sanitaryware, to signature brand collections for flooring and architectural hardware.
Gwyn Carless at The Light Yard reveals new Collection in partnership with LSA International
Created in partnership with renowned glassware brand LSA International, the latest Collection from Greater Manchester-based lighting house Gwyn Carless at The Light Yard embodies timeless artisan principles, superior craftsmanship and considered design.
Evoking Jazz-era opulence, the new Collection of made-to-order contemporary indoor luminaires incorporates key pieces from LSA International’s celebrated Epoque series. Mouth-blown glass vases in hues of Amber or Peacock are teamed with Edison-style LED bulbs and exquisitely machined UK-manufactured fixtures to create decorative pendant, wall and flush ceiling lights. With bathroom-ready IP44-rated versions available, design continuity can be achieved as never before, while the products also offer scope to coordinate the sumptuous lighting with statement glassware from LSA International’s eponymous range.
The Collection, handcrafted in the uniquely customer-facing lighting atelier of master craftsman Gwyn Carless, affords design and renovation professionals expanded opportunities to integrate vibrant works of authenticity and refined beauty into their interior schemes. It is available now.
Croft Architectural Hardware continue to evolve with new improved website and products for 2021
Croft Architectural Hardware, the manufacturer based in the heart of England with a history spanning over 150 years, announced the launch of their brand-new website and 2021 brochure, following their recent branding and logo refresh.
The new site offers a glimpse into the Croft manufacturing facilities and offices, as well as having improved usability, allowing users to easily access all of the Croft products. “Croft have come along way over the years and we’re now designing and manufacturing both traditional and unique products” says Paul Clifford, Commercial Director at Croft. “We wanted the website to showcase our full product portfolio, whilst reflecting who we are as a business.”
A contemporary social space for the Aberdeen Altens Hotel features Karndean Designflooring underfoot
With subtle visual cues to divide different spaces using a combination of warm toned and geometric floor designs, Karndean Designflooring served up the perfect flooring choice as part of the new look Aberdeen Altens Hotel based in the beautiful Scottish Highlands.
Rebranded as Coast and Keg, the hotel’s three restaurants and bar have been combined into a new open plan space, increasing capacity and creating an adaptable entertaining space with both formal and casual dining options. Fleur Carson, commercial sales director of Karndean Designflooring, said; “Using different flooring designs across the large open plan area has created zones which can be used for a variety of functions such as dining, socialising or working.”
Karndean’s Lime Washed Oak was selected across the seating areas to introduce a natural element with interesting textures and a contemporary sun-bleached driftwood appearance. Fleur added: “Using both straight lay and herringbone laying patterns, the flooring has been laid in zones to create an intimate and welcoming atmosphere.”
RAK-Petit is big on style in small bathrooms with its latest designer collection
With the size of the average UK bathroom measuring around 4.4m2, the latest designer collection from RAK Ceramics solves the problem of creating luxury results in compact spaces. In fact, RAK-Petit is designed specifically with small bathrooms in mind.
Created in collaboration with award-winning Italian designer Maurizio Scutellà, RAK-Petit is a collection of small washbasins for compact spaces, from cloakrooms and en-suites to small family bathrooms. With minimal shapes and modest dimensions, RAK-Petit washbasins are perfect for small spaces that are also big on style. The collection includes deep-based washbasins that can be installed alone or combined with RAK-Joy vanity units in the domestic bathrooms, as well as freestanding washbasins that are statement pieces in their own right.
TSAR Carpets introduces the Sierra Collection inspired by natural landscapes
TSAR Carpets introduces its new Sierra Collection, a series of broadloom wool-rich Axminster carpet designs inspired by mountainous terrains and desert landscapes worldwide.
While keeping in line with TSAR’s signature use of bold and signature designs, the Sierra Collection transforms the company’s vision for the future of hospitality, commercial and residential projects into paired-back contemporary statements teeming with topographical dimension. The collection features an array of natural, earthy tones in five distinct patterns, ranging from geological motifs to glacial-like elements that offer a sense of tranquillity and fluidity. Constructed for strength and durability, there are many functional benefits to Axminster, including pattern clarity, ease of maintenance, and sound absorption.
Join SBID
Find out more about our flexible membership structure.
By subscribing, you agree to be added to SBID’s mailing list. As an industry’s standard bearer organisation, we strive to bring you the most up to date news and access to exclusive industry content through our various newsletters.
First Name
Last Name
Email Address
I accept the SBID Terms of Use