BATHROOM and sanitation specialist Hansgrohe of Germany has unveiled at a special preview for the international press new products from its Axor designer brand, which it will be showcasing at the forthcoming ISH 2011.

The show, to be held from March 15 to 19 in Frankfurt, Germany, focuses on the bathroom experience; building; energy; air-conditioning technology, and renewable energies.

The new products unveiled at the company’s Black Forest headquarters in Germany combine aesthetics with convenience and are designed to make the bathroom a pleasurable experience while also taking care of sustainability, the company stresses.

Axor’s electronic mixers for wall mounting, which it is presenting for the first time, show the close links between exclusive design, functionality and technological expertise. “We have developed an intelligent solution that combines sensor technology and our wall mixers’ exclusive design,” comments Stefanie Pfaff, Axor product manager.

The new electronic wall mixers are to be added to the Axor Citterio and Axor Uno2 collections. The Axor Starck collection already includes a free-standing electronic mixer.

Elaborating on how technologically sophisticated and functionally impressive electronic mixers have been designed to seamlessly fit into the Axor collection, the company says the solution is in having the sensor windows integrated into the underside of the spout. They cannot be seen by the user and do not impair the mixer’s visual appeal. At the same time, this is an extremely functional position for the sensor, which can be intuitively operated: the sensor is automatically activated when users place their hands under the spout.

In the future, Axor will offer electronic wall mixers in two collections with different design languages: in Axor Citterio with shiny surfaces and precise, linear contours and in Axor Uno2 with a minimalist, slimline design.

The contact-free operation of electronic mixers makes them extremely hygienic. This is a key sales point, particularly in the public area. Like all Axor basin mixers, the new electronic mixers are also fitted with EcoSmart technology, which limits the water flow to five litres per minute – without impairing the functionality. The sensor control itself also saves even more water and energy: the Axor electronic mixers have a short run-on time of around one to 1.5 seconds, ensuring that the water is only flowing when it is actually required signifying a combination of innovation and sustainability.

Axor Citterio M
Axor Citterio M, designed by Italian designer and architect Antonio Citterio, has a design language that is highly sophisticated and well-thought out right down to the finest of details, and harmoniously links soft curves with flat surfaces, says a Hansgrohe spokesman. “Axor Citterio M represents urban aesthetics and is modern yet timeless,” he adds.

The range has now been boosted with three new three-hole wash basin mixers, two four-hole bath mixers and a shut-off valve, which can be perfectly combined with all the existing products in the collection. The new star-shaped handles have precise finishes and soft, ergonomically-shaped curves on the undersides.

Starck’s role
Hansgrohe points out that Philippe Starck and Axor have transformed the bathroom culture with Axor Starck. The range of basin mixers in the Axor Starck collection is being expanded to include a new mixer with a height between that of the single lever mixers and the wash basin mixer. This will make it possible to combine even shallow wash bowls with mixers in the Axor Starck design.

For the shower, a future choice will be available between the dual-jet Axor Starck manual shower with standard and mono jet and the single-jet manual shower with standard jet. Both versions are made from high-quality metal. The new, single-jet manual shower also provides sustainable showering fun, thanks to the EcoSmart technology, by limiting the water flow to nine litres per minute – without impairing the pleasurable shower experience. A matching shower set rounds off the range.

“The Axor collections offer a large number of different, sustainable solutions to create individual bathrooms of the highest aesthetic and technical level,” says the Hansgrohe spokesman. “Philippe Starck, Antonio Citterio, Jean-Marie Massaud, Patricia Urquiola and Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec have developed Axor collections. Their aim is to make life in and with the bathroom a little more meaningful and beautiful.”

Philippe Grohe is head of the Axor brand.

Diversity & landscape
Meanwhile, for Axor Urquiola, designer Patricia Urquiola has introduced a collection of different style worlds, while the Axor Bouroullec collection sees the bathroom as a landscape and a synthesis of functionality and aesthetic appeal.

Axor Urquiola is a mixture of styles and old and new materials. The broad collection includes mixers for all bathroom areas, wash bowls, a bath tub, accessories and a paravent that acts as a room divider, radiator and mirror in one. The wash basin for wall mounting was presented with the Design Award of the Federal Republic of Germany recently. The judging panel was impressed by both the design and the high material quality. The mineral casting guarantees “a particularly pleasant feel and the creation of an extraordinary design: slit-like openings on both sides not only resemble handles but are also extremely practical as they can be used as a towel rail”, stated the judges in explanation of their decision.

The Axor Bouroullec bathroom landscape focuses on the wash basin. Several shelves protrude from the wash basin at different heights, resembling terraces beside a lake with a basin that harmoniously blends into the surroundings. Owners have the freedom to choose how to use the shelves in line with their desires and needs.

“The designers Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec, therefore, never just focus on the design alone; they always combine it with an added benefit. By allowing users to optimally combine the spout, control units and shelves, they can create their own personal landscape on the wash basin,” says the spokesman.

The opportunities offered for the wash basin are also available throughout the room, through the shower pipe in the shower area, the different shelves on the wash basin and the wall behind the wash basin.

Metris
The new Metris mixer line and the latest additions to the Talis and Focus mixer ranges from Hansgrohe provide more individual freedom under the tap. The usable area under the mixer, known as the ComfortZone, can be individually selected. “The mixer grows in line with the needs,” comments Axel Meissen, Hansgrohe product manager.

The new Metris mixer line offers solutions for entirely different wash basin habits and requirements: whether flat ceramics, high wash bowls or space-saving hand basins – five mixers with ComfortZones of 100 to 260 can be combined in line with owners’ usage habits. The Metris 200 and 260 mixers provide enough space to fill watering cans and tall vases or to wash hair. The spout of the new Metris 230 mixer can be simply moved to the side before or after use, thus practically eliminating any bumps or hits. Thanks to the side handle, the water volume and temperature can be conveniently set. Excellent convenience in a small space is also offered by the understated Metris 100 mixer, which is particularly suited for use on small wash basins, as well as the classically dimensioned mixers with ComfortZone 110.
The new Metris line was designed in the Phoenix Design studio (Stuttgart, Tokyo).

Raindance Rainfall
The success story of the often-imitated Raindance showers from Hansgrohe is being continued with the new Raindance Select 150 hand shower.

“The product developers focused on ease of handling and use to create a flowingly round, modern shower with an easy-to-hold handle and “Select”, an ultra-simple jet change function. Users can select their favourite jet type at the simple touch of a button: soft RainAir, massaging CaresseAir or a refreshing mixed jet. The 150-mm-wide jet disc with AirPower technology that enriches water with air, douses users in voluminous, pleasantly soft rain drops,” he says.
Also available are fully pre-installed wall-mounted units. The integrated mixer allows users to conveniently manage their shower experiences.

A visual highlight among the new additions to the family is the Showerpipe Raindance Select 360, which affords freedom of movement under the voluminous, aerated AirPower shower rain. Another remarkable feature is the new Ecostat Select thermostat – a convenient operating unit for the new Showerpipe, which is also available as a bathtub model.
Although the Ecostat Select thermostat is not much larger than standard versions, it can be flush-mounted on the wall and thus offers an elegant solution for concealing connections.