At the Aalto-Theater in Essen, Germany, the annual Red Dot Gala recently honored outstanding product designs — as judged by a panel of 41 — running the gamut from software tools and power tools to furniture and personal accessories. While all of the categories offered up some exciting and innovative finds, the kitchen and bath groups in particular should be of interest if you’re a residential architect or designer. Here’s a showcase of our favorites from that crop for consideration in your projects.
BATH
Clou: Hammock (by René Holten)
We actually gushed about this tub already in the post Super Soakers, but it’s worth us mentioning it again as it’s now snagged a Best of the Best Red Dot Award 2016. The tub for two sports a sloping shape that mimics the curves of a hanging hammock (hence the name) and measures 2,000 millimeters long by 1,400 deep and 500 high.
Clou
Duravit: Stonetto (by EOOS Design)
It seems only natural that hardwearing quartz-stone composites would be well suited to the shower as it is for kitchen and bath countertops and sinks. Duravit thus introduced its Stonetto shower tray using its proprietary quartz-based material DuraSolid Q. The cast-mineral material features a matte surface with Class B slip resistance and a stone-like appearance in white, beige or anthracite tints. The trays can be flush-mounted, semi-recessed or surface-mounted.
Duravit
Emco Bad: Emco Touch (by Nexus Product Design)
The washbasin, sink cabinet and mirror are all merged into one product with Emco Touch. The basin is a round, mineral-cast unit resting atop the square cabinet, which is backed by the elongated rectangular mirror. The latter boasts an integrated sensor-controlled LED strip that follows the mirror’s bevel frame.
Emco Bad
Grohe: AquaTunes (by Grohe Design Studio and Philips)
This waterproof shower speaker can be mounted onto a range of shower slide bars for listening to your favorite music or podcasts via Bluetooth-connected devices. When not in use, it easily dismounts for charging on the included induction charger.
Grohe
Hansgrohe: Axor One (by Barber & Osgerby)
This elegant shower control series comes in different configurations arranged around a central control dial. The outer buttons/paddles are flush with the faceplate and emblazoned with clear symbols for shower functions ranging from overhead to hand shower or body spray. The design is available in a choice of 15 finishes.
Hansgrohe
Klafs: S1 Sauna (by Henssler und Schultheiss Fullservice Productdesign)
Not just an ordinary sauna, S1 is an extendable sauna. It starts with a 60-centimeter depth leaning against the wall. At the push of a button, the sauna telescopically expands forward to increase the room’s depth by up to three times the original size. The interior is clad in hemlock but is also available in walnut or stone pine.
Klafs
Kohler: Minima NG
A beautifully minimalist shower enclosure, Minima NG is practically invisible with its mostly glass structure. Models are available for sliding or hinged glass doors, both incorporating a soft, self-closing mechanism that is visually unobtrusive.
Kohler
Toto: Neorest DH
This sculptural, modern toilet integrates standard washlet functions but also boasts hygienic and self-cleaning functions that are not as commonly offered: A special coating in the bowl helps keep waste and dirt from sticking and water is automatically atomized on the surface to further remove residue.
© Brookstudio
Toto
Villeroy & Boch: Subway Infinity (by Quintessence Design)
Subway Infinity shower trays are composed of ceramic (with anti-slip finish) in White, Beige, Creme, Anthracite, Taupe or Ardoise and rectified and unglazed on all four sides for flush installation. Matching integrated drain cover ensures a handsome uniform appearance.
Villeroy & Boch
Zucchetti Rubinetteria: HIM (by Palomba Serafini Associati)
A single-lever mixer, HIM features a unique cartridge that sits under the deck of the basin, eliminating the need for a long neck on the faucet. The result is a flat, streamlined spout design accentuated by the cascade it creates when in use.
Zucchetti Rubinetteria
KITCHEN
Blanco: Zenar XL 6 Steamer Plus
Steaming is an ever-popular method of healthy cooking, so Blanco has developed a prep sink specifically designed to facilitate steam cooking. Narrow ledges, for instance, hold strainers of varying sizes that can be used for rinsing prepped ingredients easily or placed directly inside steam ovens for cooking. Meanwhile, a movable cutting board allows one to prep the ingredients and transfer them easily into the strainers without spillage.
Blanco
Bosch: NoFrost KGF56SB40
Not only functional, but also beautiful to look at, this refrigerator/freezer unit sports a face in elegant black glass. The interior is optimally lit using a vertical light band as opposed to a single bulb at the top or side. Meanwhile, its VitaFresh Pro compartment can be regulated separately from the rest of the fridge to retain freshness of special items.
Bosch
Franke: Frames by Franke Semi-Professional Tap (by NOA Design)
The faucet offers swivel and pull-down capabilities, with the head held via magnet for quick and easy release and reattachment. Available in black, stainless steel or chrome finish, the tap has an adjustable spray.
Franke
Hangzhou Robam Appliances: Robam 5900
This head-free range hood may have a sleek, monolithic design, but it also boasts a suction power of up to 21 cubic meters and low operation noise. The filter is magnetically attached for easy removal and cleaning, and the front is surfaced in black glass.
Hangzhou Robam Appliances
LG Electronics: Built-In Hybrid Cooktop
This single cooktop has both an induction and radiant (electric) burner indicated by differentiating graphics. A simple stroke of the finger on the touch-control regulates the heat for both. Fitted onto an aluminum body, the cooktop can be used as a freestanding unit.
LG Electronics
Liebherr: BluPerformance BioFresh Fridge-Freezers (by Frog)
Crisp lines define this handsome compact fridge-freezer unit, which deceivingly offers more interior storage space than it would seem as the cooling technology is integrated into the base. Highlights include SmartSteel finish, which reduces the visibility of fingerprints and resists scratches, and a high-resolution touch-control display integrated into the door.
Liebherr
Ningbo Fotile Kitchen Ware: JBSD2T-Q1 (by R&D Design Co.)
This sink integrates a dishwasher and ultrasound cleaner for fresh produce to save space in other areas of the kitchen. The dishwashing function is reportedly environmentally friendly, simulating hand-washing in 28 minutes and using only six liters of water per cycle. Meanwhile, the fruit-and-vegetable cleaning function removes more than 90 percent of chemical substances.
Ningbo Fotile Kitchen Ware
Smeg: TR4110P1/TR4110PD1
Current modern technology meets classic, elegant aesthetics in this Smeg gas range to create an inviting, homey atmosphere. This freestanding unit is constructed from stainless steel and ceramics in black, cream or a range of other traditional colors. Pulls and control knobs are finished in chrome.
Smeg
Whirlpool: Hotpoint Oven
Stunning and monolithic in appearance, this built-in oven sports a mostly black tempered-glass front with minimal framing or interruption, save for the horizontal stainless-steel band that holds the unit’s brushed-aluminum handle. Touching the glass of the top panel activates the control display.
Whirlpool