AS\SHOWROOM MANAGERS COUNCIL MEETING

DESIGN,
for "WaterSense" products.

s "universal design" nn effective marketing term or would "comfbrt design" be more acceptable to a wider audience? Will cities of the future have no sewers but find WLIVS to recycle human waste safely? These were among the questions considered at a Showroom Managers Council Meeting in lune hosted by the American Supply Association. The meeting drew showroom managers troni New lersey, Ohio, lcxas, Missouri, Massachusetts. Virginia, New York, Indiana and Illinois to learn more ilnmt universal design and "going green" from two expert presenters. Hiaine Ostroff. Hon. AIA, director of Access to Design Professions and founding director of Adaptive F.nvironments, and Gunnar Baldwin, water efficiency specialist at TOTO and a charter director of the Alliance for Water Efficiency, were the featured speakers. Ostrofif stressed the importance of choosing the right words to communicate universal design. "I'm not sure the term universal design [should be] used to market |the products]," she said. "It's for in-house. People always know when there is a code word like 'special ed kids.'" Instead, she suggested showroom staff should focus on the comfort and safety of the products for all users rather than labeling them for aging or disabled users. Baldwin shared his view of the future: Cities with no sewers or buildings with independent waste treatment systems. "There will be no off-site discharge." he noted. "We will have learned huw to recycle human waste safely." In addition, he said, graywater will be the only source of water for landscaping and irrigation. Storm water will befilteredand returned to underlying aquifers. Potable water will be very expensive. Bathrooms will be even more

Univer

ISSU ES
By Pat Lenius

luxurious but more efficient. Wastewater treatment employees will be redeployed to manage and maintain multiple specialized neighborhood systems. A pre-meeting survey of attendees conducted by ASA found that 75% of the showrooms represented are seeing more interest from customers in fixtures that will provide help for"aging in place" and 73.3'iii carry products with the WaterSense label.

ELAINE OSTROFE ON UNIVERSAL DESIGN

Universal design goes beyond the codes, addressing humancentered concerns. A 3()-incli high countertop is good for food preparation and can provide support if it also extends over pull-out drawers. Double-door refrigerators are easier to open and roll-out shelves improve accessibility. Provide places to grab in the bathrcxim, especiall>' around the tub and shower. When marketing uni\'ersal design, don't focus on addressing the needs of the handicapped but rather stress the amenities, comfort and safety. Don't remind people about their limitations. Instead, show them how these products can be used to make life easier. Install a flat-screen television in the showroom to present the product in context. Let people identify with how the products are being used. Educate your staff and contractor customers on how Ui market this concept more effectively. Words make a difference. In lapan, universal design has been embraced as a business opportunity, referred to as the "silver market." The term "comfort design" may be acceptable to more people than "universal design."

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SUPPLYHOUSE TIMES

AUGUST 2008

Saving water saves energy

and reduces our carbon footprint.

'ce^t^.
Since 1948 Jacuzzi has been synonymous with innovation. It's an active pursuit; fluid, like water, always seeking new forms. Case in

ASA Showroom Managers Council Meeting

point: the four innovative designs featured here, part of the larger collection awaiting at natureoacuzzi.com/sht.

ELARA II
Out of Europe comes the design innovation behind Elara II, a new drop-in luxury bath with room for two. It's as simple as a shapely

Elaine Ostroff (L) with Gunnar Baldwin,

rectangle, and as powerful as a force of nature, with precision Jets that target stress in all the right places.

GUNNAR BALDWIN ON GOING "GREEN"

About %%\ of the electricity used in iho United States is for the delivery and treatment of polablc water. That is the average in California, 19% of the electricity used is tor water delivery. Also in California. 32% of the natural gas consumed is tor treating water and wastewater. Saving water saves energy and reduces our carbon footprint. Running a hot water faucet for tive minutes consumes as much energy as using a 6()-watt bulb for 14 hours, according to EPA WaterScnse. Creen plumbing fixtures and fittings reduce the volumes of potable drinking water used and the resulting sewage produced, reducing environmental impact. Water eticiency should be redefined in terms of gallons actually used to do the job vs. gallons per minute or gallons per flush. "High efficient'" toilets offer the most conventional, well-tested loiiet option to contribute to reducing potable water use by 20%. Toilet height has been increasing. Today the average toilet height is 161/8 to 16-1/2 inches vs. 14 inches tall, Wiiile the toilet may be considered the largest water user in a home, other fittings and fixtures can also reduce potable water use. The WaterSense label should be on display in your showrooms. It serves as an identifier like liergy Star. Look beyond the volume offlowor flush to see the big picture. If the reduced flow of water means more detergents or chemicals are required to clean the fixture, then pollution of the \vater supply becomes a concern. There are other ways to save water such as toot pedal rinsing and sensor operation. Other options include grayu'ater treatment and recycling and rainwater collection, treatment and use. For information on future ASA Showroom Manager Council meetings. visit ivvnKi5ii.ncl. Egl

RISTORRE METALLO
A refreshing idea; combine the luxury of a deluxe shower panel adjustable body sprays, gentle rain showerhead, and more - with a hassle-free installation requiring no added plumbing. That's the beauty of Ristorre Mtallo from Jacuzzi.

OMEGA SHOWER SYSTEM

This stunning new arriva! on the shower scene, slated for January 2009, transforms the home spa category with its airy feel, sensual teak seat, and myriad water features -Jets, steam, rainshower, waterfall, hand-held - aii designed to inspire new dreams.

ERA D O U B L E - E N D E D W O O D E N FRAME
Striking and modern. Sculptural and strong. Raised to new heights on a bold wooden frame that echoes in wood the tub's doubleended curves. Look for this new era of our popular ERA series to transform a room and elevate the bathing experience.

Jacuzzr
Jacuii" Elara IP, Ritore Meiallo'", Omega~, and Era"" are atl trademarki ofjaeuil Int. i ' 2008Jaoji7h Inc. All rights reserved.
FREE I N F O : 2 1 3

www.suppiyht.com

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