ekbbusiness november 2013

essential special report cloakrooms

closeT
GENIUS
The cloakroom used to be an added
luxury but now every new-build
house has to have one – so how are
manufacturers rising to the challenge
of creating even more show-stopping
products for tight spaces?
Words Emma Hedges

CONCEPT
SPACE RANGE
Ideal Standard
Tel: 01482 346 461.
www.ideal-standard.co.uk
TheConceptSpace rangeis
an extensionof IdealStandard’s
iconic Robin Levien-designed
Concept range andfeatures
short-projection andcorner
basins,compact WCs,and
a collection of freestylestorage
units. The WCs in therangeare
available in close-coupled,back-
to-wall andwall-hungversions,
which the company says can
reduce projectionby as much
as 75mm. Picturedis the
420x 250mm guestbasin and
450 x 250mm wall-hung
basin unit, andthewall-hung
WC with a projectionof 485mm

I
n The Daily Telegraph’s latestTop 10 Ways
To AddValueToYour Home, building a
loft conversion sits comfortably in the
number one spot, with a new kitchen
coming in at number three, followed at
number four by a new bathroom.There
was a time when adding a downstairs
cloakroom might have been up there,
vying for a top spot, but adding a
cloakroom doesn’t figure in the top 10
at all. So what has changed?
It seems that the 2009 amendments to now mainstream in new builds, it is only
Part M of the Building Regulations, which to be expected that people want to
state that all new houses require a cloak- incorporate them into an older property”.
room with a WC on the ground floor, have However, this seems to have had an
done much to drive sales of cloakroom pro- unexpected effect on consumer expectations.
ducts in the new-build sector.According to “Undoubtedly, the latest Building Regulations
AMA Research, in 2012 there were around have had a big impact on the growth of the
87,000 cloakrooms installed in new-build cloakroom,” says Mark Walker, UK sales
homes,andasHansgroheMDMartinMongan director for Bagno Design.“But it is fast
points out, this in turn has impacted the becoming the norm to have a downstairs
refurbishment sector, as “with cloakrooms cloakroom, where just a few years ago it

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 ekbbusiness november 2013
essential special report cloakrooms
MINI NUVOLA SUITE HANDRINSE
Azzurra BASIN
Tel: 01279 771 159. www.alchemyaward.com Duravit
Designed by Angeletti Ruzza, the Mini Nuvola has balanced proportions Tel: 0845 500 787. www.duravit.co.uk
to help it work in a small space, with the WC and bidet both offering a The Handrinse basin is part of the Architec
projection of 460mm and width of 350mm. Ticking the eco-friendly box, range from Duravit, which was
the WC features a 3-litre flush. The range, which comes in a choice of black developed by architect and designer
or white ceramic, is available in the UK through Alchemy Design Award Frank Huster. Measuring 645 x
410mm, the basin, which comes in
left and right configurations,
features a diagonal slant that
creates a surface storage area
and makes it suitable for use in
awkward, confined spaces

‘YouneedTofindaBALANCEbeTWeenAESTHETICS
andPRACTICALITY.ThecompacTbasinsTillhasTobe
FUNCTIONAL,becauseYoudon’T WanTaWaTerBALLET!’
Marike Andeweg, founder and designer, not only White

would have been a pretty big selling
point.There is a growing need to
really think about the products
being chosen for these spaces, to
ensure the cloakroom stands out
from the competition.”
Sarah Holey, marketing
communications manager for
Laufen, makes a similar observation.
“It will certainly increase a
property’s kerb appeal to have a
toilet on the ground floor,” she says.
“Whether it increases its value will
be down to how well the space is
planned and furnished.”
All this presents manufacturers
and designers with an interesting
challenge when it comes to creating
compact solutions that stand out
from the crowd – something that
designer Robin Levien refers to as
“big thinking for small spaces”.
“The main challenge manufac-
turers are faced with is that most
cloakrooms are small and often
unconventional in shape,” says
Dean Pamphilon, UK sales director
for Vado.“To overcome this they are
having to innovate by offering, for
example, corner toilets, wall-hung
pans with concealed cisterns, wall-
mounted taps or mini deck-mounted
taps along with cupboards under
basins that allow everything to be
stored away to optimise limited space.”
Smaller pieces with reduced
projection, wall-hung elements,
storage solutions, and combination
products have made a stylish
entrance into the market, as designers
have risen to the challenge of creating
great-looking products that work well.
“Manufacturers have to ensure
that the design and functionality of
a product aren’t compromised
because it is smaller or slimmer than
a conventional-sized bathroom range,”
says Clare Surplice, consumer
channel manager for Ideal Standard.
Marike Andeweg, founder of design
studio Not Only White that specialises
in compact basins, agrees.“You need
to find a balance between aesthetics
and practicality,” she says.“The com-
pact basin still has to be functional,
because you don’t want a water
ballet! For instance, it’s important to
choose a quality tap in combination
with a small basin. If the water runs
out smoothly, you can easily use a
small and shallow handrinse.”
Thinking outside the box has led
to some thrilling concepts – Roca’s
2009-launched,award-winning
W+W, which is the fusion of a wash-
basin and WC in one single piece
featuring technology that filters
water from the basin to flush the
WC is a case in point.
“Designing for the cloakroom
means offering luxurious finishes
and statement pieces,” says Bagno’s
Mark Walker.“It is likely to be seen by
guests when entertaining, so it needs
to offer the same level of comfort
and quality as the living space.”
Adds Marike Andeweg: “There are
people that like to have a nice
cloakroom to show off to their
friends, whereas the bathroom is
still a more private area.”
And when it comes to the future,
what do manufacturers predict for
TAHITI BASIN UNIT
Oasis
this small but fast-evolving space?
Tel: 01279 771 159. www.alchemyaward.com
“Consumers are more demanding
The tapered shape of the Tahiti bathroom furniture
year on year, and so manufacturers
range is inspired by the rolling waves of the sea, which
are tasked with coming up with more
makes it ideal for fitting into awkward, compact
exciting solutions to catch their
spaces. measuring 190mm at its narrowest point
interest,” says Vitra’s national sales
and either 520mm or 540mm at its widest, the basin
manager Darren Paxford.“We will not
unit is available in any ral colour and offers a choice
only see a greater variety of practical
of two different handles in polished chrome. Top
space-saving solutions,but innovative,
surfaces come in a choice of white resin, quartz solid
sophisticated and stylish designs.”
surface Quarella, or crystalline glass

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essential special report cloakrooms

W+W UNIT
Roca
Tel: 01530 830 080.
www.uk.roca.com
Roca’s award-winning compact W+W,
which measures 860 x 500 x 760mm,
is the fusion of a washbasin and WC
in one single piece. It features the
COLLEGE
company’s water-saving reuse
FURNITURE
Falper
technology, which filters water from
Tel: 07770 761 656.
the basin and reuses it to flush the WC.
www.falper.it
The concept was created by the Roca
The College range of
Innovation Lab and designed by
bathroom furniture is
architects and designers gabriele
designed by Michael
and oscar Buratti
Schmidt and has a
contemporary boxy
structure, enhanced by an
integrated cubic Ceramilux
basin and strap-effect
handles. The products come
in a variety of matt lacquer
finishes – orange, Avocado,
Natural grey and White –
which are teamed with
Wenge or Canaletto Walnut.
The two-door basin unit
measures 815 x 450 x
400mm, while the matching
’totem’ cupboard measures
1800 x 180 x 400mm

SUBWAy 2.0
WASHBASIN
Villeroy & Boch
trends
“We have seen a particular increase in “Infra-redtaps will become more
Tel: 0208 871 4028.
demand for wall-hung sanitaryware prevalent in the cloakroom, especially
www.villeroy-boch.co.uk
solutions for these spaces, as impor- in the new-build sector to drive down
The subway 2.0 washbasin
tance is placed on creating the illusion water consumption and meet
measures 630 x 355mm, and
ofspaceandkeepingthingsasminimal planners’ drive for sustainability. I also
comes in either left- or right-
and clutter-free as possible” think the trend towards wall-hung
handed configurations, both
Sara Johnston, marketing and products will increase”
without an overflow. The
communications manager, Geberit Dean Pamphilon, uK sales
range’s wall-mounted vanity
director, Vado
unit measures 620 x 240 x “Undermounted basin models are
187mm, and features a single provingthemostpopularforacompact “Compact vanity units with integral
door with hinges on the left. space. They offer a low-maintenance storage are sure to become a staple
it is available in either White, choice for both homeowner and in this area as they help to keep clutter
Glossy White, petrol blue, designer – unobtrusive and highly out of sight, making the whole room
Glossy Grey or oak Graphite user-friendly” feel more spacious”
Bill Garvey, managing director, Darren Paxford, national sales
William Garvey manager,Vitra

MoNoLITH
MoDULE
FoRM LIgHT BASIN Geberit
Not Only White Tel: 0800 077 8365.
Tel: 0207 481 2622. www.notonlywhite.com www.geberit.co.uk
The form light handrinse basin from dutch design Geberit’s monolith sanitary
brand not only White – which is award- module for washbasins,
winning designer marike andeweg’s pictured in black glass, now
brain child – is available in 10 models in features integrated drawers
white, grey and beige hi-macs, with for hidden storage, as well as
the new flush drain in matching having useful counter space on
colour and material. The form the top. it can be connected to
light basin measures existing couplings for hot and
400 x 140 x cold water and to the
85mm discharge pipe without the
need for complicated
adjustments, which the
company says makes it ideal
for retro-fit projects and
installation in tight spaces
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essential special report cloakrooms

KARLA DooR
Ambiance Bain
Tel: 01925 237 740.
www.ambiancebain.co.uk
ambiance bain’s fitted
furniture ranges are available
in made-to-measure options,
making them ideal cloakroom
solutions. pictured in Gloss
pergamon with american
Walnut carcase and cognac
satin smo – the company’s
synthetic resin material –
counter and basin, is the Karla
door, which is available in a
choice of 10 foil colours. The
2019mm-tall Wc unit
provides storage, and the
400mm-wide two-door unit
can be fully opened without
impacting the Wc

INSIgNIA MIXER
Methven
AqUATREND SUITE Tel: 01942 680 177.
Frontline www.methven.co.uk
Tel: 0845 470 2424. www.frontlinebathrooms.co.uk The insignia mini mono basin mixer from
frontline’s aquatrend cloakroom suite includes a 400mm-wide basin methven’s deva collection measures 50
unit, pictured here in walnut with blok basin mono and series 600 Wc, x 144mm and is said by the company to
and a mirror and shelf measuring 900 x 400mm. doors are all soft- be approximately 20% smaller than
close and the range is also available in a White or avola Grey finish. standard mono basin mixers. aimed at
a wall-hung cloakroom unit measuring 500 x 400mm is also available the middle market, it is made from brass
and finished in chrome

BLooMSBURy
WALL CABINET
Bagno Design
Tel: 0207 553 6999. ULTRA SLIM
www.bagnodesign.co.uk WC SUPPoRT
part of the bloomsbury FRAME
collection from bagno Bauhaus
design, this wall-mounted Tel: 0845 873 8840.
vertical cabinet has five deep www.crosswater.co.uk
shelves and an additional The ultra slim Wc support
five shelves with railing for frame and cistern from
toiletries. mirrored on the bauhaus measures 90mm
outside, it is made from deep and will fit into
marine ply with rich ebony narrow wall cavities,
veneer, and measures reducing how far the pan
1300 x 450 x 300mm protrudes into a room, as
well as the noise of the
flush as the cistern is in the
wall. Wras-approved, the
unit provides a 4/2 litre
dual flush, and is capable of
holding 400kg in weight.
pictured are the
company’s stream ii wall-
hung Wc, solo chrome
flushplate and celeste
wall-hung basin
HELIo BASIN
William Garvey
Tel: 01404 841 430. www.williamgarvey.co.uk
measuring 420 x 150mm, this under-mounted helio
basin is an extension of William Garvey’s spherical
helio design, but comes with a bespoke shelf surround.
made from solid teak, it is finished with a specially
formulated marine polish, which the company says
acts as an extra barrier and makes it easier to clean

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M-LINE RANGE
Vitra
Tel: 01235 750 990.
www.vitra.co.uk
The m-line ceramic white
countertop basin is 375mm deep,
which the company says presents
an optimal depth to ensure dirt
washes away easily, and
measures 170mm high and
495mm wide. The Wc is rimless,
although a fresh Wc pan option is
available, which features a liquid
cleaning tank dispensing cleaning
fluid with every flush
Designing for the cloakroom means offering luxurious
finishes and statement pieces. It is likely to be seen by
guests when entertaining, so it needs to offer the same
level of comfort and quality as the living space
Mark Walker, uK sales director, bagno design
LAUFEN PRo
RANgE
Laufen
Tel: 01530 510 007.
www.uk.laufen.com
The laufen pro range is designed
to offer solutions for compact
areas. The small basin, measuring
360 x 250mm, can be combined
with a vanity unit with open
shelves on the right or left, plus
a cupboard under the basin,
which is syphon-free to maximise
the available space. The unit,
pictured here measuring
580 x 380mm and 310mm deep,
comes in a variety of sizes and a
choice of white or wenge, and
can also be fitted with a hand-
towel rail on the side
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ekbbusiness november 2013
essential special report cloakrooms
CLoAKRooM BASIN
Thomas Crapper
Tel: 01789 450 522. www.thomas-crapper.com
Thomas crapper’s diminutive period-style cloakroom
basin measures 500mm wide, is 127mm deep, and has
a projection of 265mm. it is made from vitreous china
and is available in
White and antique
White finishes, and
requires polished
wooden pattresses –
available in solid oak,
mahogany or walnut –
for the brackets, which
can be painted any colour
ESCALE SUITE
Kohler
Tel: 0844 571 0048. www.kohler.co.uk
Kohler’s escale suite is inspired by the elegant design
of Japanese ceramic tableware. The range’s compact
handwash basin measures 500mm wide with a depth
of 315mm, and has an integral shroud that conceals
pipework, and the 500mm-wide base unit with drop-down
door, pictured, measures 360mm high and 275mm deep.
The collection also includes Wcs, bidets, and pedestal,
vanity and vessel basins
LIFE MINI MoNo
MIXER
Vado
Tel: 01934 744 466.
www.vado-uk.com
one of eight mini mono mixers
from Vado, this mid-market
model is part of the life range
and can be flow regulated to 5
litres per minute. it has a chrome finish, and is 130mm tall
from the basin to the top of the handle, with a reach from
the back of the body to the front of the spout of 105mm
AXoR BoURoULLEC CoLLECTIoN
Hansgrohe
Tel: 01372 465 655. www.hansgrohe.co.uk
created by french designers ronan and erwan bouroullec, the axor bouroullec
collection offers a range of options for combining washbasins and mixer
elements. The spout and handles can be located independently of each other
in several locations. The single-lever basin mixer, pictured, has a flow rate of
5 litres per minute
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