THE
FUTURE
BATHROOM
EXPERIENCE
A whitepaper written by PHOENIX Design
Content
3
4
6
Editorial
Holistic Bathroom Experiences
Unfolding the Idea of Holistic
Bathroom Experiences
7 Human
10 Water
15 Space
20 Action Points
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Editorial
In the years to come, people will demand living spaces that are
meticulously tailored to their individual needs, providing a haven that
nurtures their well-being. This expectation extends to every corner of our
living environment, presenting distinct demands for each facet of our
surroundings.
The contemporary bathroom, in particular, is a personal sanctuary, where
ancient bathing rituals harmonize with the latest beauty techniques. It
seamlessly integrates cutting-edge water management systems with
features inspired by the natural world, while also incorporating durable,
low-maintenance surfaces crafted from modern, eco-friendly materials.
The design of our modern bathroom mirrors our longing for comfort,
practicality, and beauty.
Designing a bathroom involves taking into account many different
perspectives, requirements and needs, especially in the hospitality sector,
where users can change on a daily basis. A perfect bathroom is not just
the result of the right fixtures and ceramics on the wall. A perfect bathroom
is capable of creating an atmosphere and a bathroom experience.
In the following you will learn why a
holistic bathroom experience is of great
value for your work, how the idea of a
holistic bathroom experience unfolds into
the various aspects and what you can
do to improve bathrooms that are not
only functional but also leave a lasting
impression with their holistic experience.
Andreas Diefenbach, PHOENIX
Matthias Oesterle, PHOENIX
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Why a holistic bathroom experience
is of great value for your work
The idea behind the holistic bathroom experience is founded on the ones
being in the bathroom. Be it everyday, just for one day, a long weekend or
for their vacation. We think that all elements of a space contribute to creating
a certain atmosphere. While being in the room, taking care of oneself,
washing, relaxing, an experience is created.
Research confirms*:
A good experience is
key to influencing
brand loyalty.
Experiences can be long lasting impressions, that underline or highlight
everyday routines, a stay in a hotel or a dinner in a restaurant. Research
confirms that a good experience is key to influencing brand loyalty. And
companies with a customer experience mindset generate 4-8% higher
revenues than the rest of their industry-peers.*
*Source: Forbes, September 2019.
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Find the best solution for
your project
The interplay of the human body, space and water
in the bathroom creates sensory perceptions,
impressions and emotions, which shape the
experience. That is why we focus on designing in an
area defined by Human, Water and Space.
The hansgrohe holistic bathroom experience builds
the foundation of a tool set for interior designers,
architects and specifiers.
It provides a safe bathroom playground, so you can
focus on composing and creating spaces that are
visually striking and functionally conducive to wellbeing, with the security of knowing that everything
will work perfectly together. To take into account
different perspectives and find the best solution for
the project, it offers easy access and quick control
to adjust budgets, manage quality levels and adjust
experience levels across the space.
So you can be sure to stand out not only with an
attractive faucet design, but also with an exceptional
and remarkable water experience that underlines the
quality of your project and really touches people.
Create
exceptional
water experiences
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How the idea of a holistic bathroom
experience unfolds into the various aspects
The holistic bathroom experience is being created
in an area defined by Human, Water and Space.
Let us explore these cornerstones and see how
they are connected, what divides them and what
dilemmas need to be overcome.
WATER
HUMAN
SPACE
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HUMAN
Human needs, motivations and expectations are the focus of
bathroom design because their satisfaction is the reference point for
a successful bathroom experience.
Cultural differences in bathroom priorities vary widely globally and within individual cultures.
Some prioritize cleanliness and hygiene, while others have different concepts of privacy and
personal space. This understanding is crucial for businesses and designers creating solutions
for the global market. Similarly, within a single culture, individual needs can vary widely, from
luxury and aesthetics to functionality and practicality, including considerations for individuals with
physical disabilities or limitations.
The aesthetic and sensory aspects of the
bathroom also play a significant role in creating
a holistic experience. The use of color, lighting,
and materials can greatly impact the mood
and atmosphere of the space. For example,
warm and inviting colors may create a sense
of comfort and relaxation, while bright and
energizing lighting can contribute to a feeling
of cleanliness and vitality.
Understanding the
diverse needs
Developing a truly holistic bathroom experience
requires a deep understanding of the diverse
needs and preferences of individuals, as well
as a commitment to integrating ergonomic,
aesthetic, sensory, and technological elements
into the design. By addressing these various
aspects, designers and businesses can create
bathrooms that not only meet functional
requirements but also provide a sense of wellbeing and delight for users.
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What is Hansgrohe‘s take on that
Reinventing categories
We specialize in creating durable and innovative water
solutions that aim to enhance daily living. Our experiences
are an expression of our inventive spirit, which is how we
give our products and solutions an iconic aura.
Our Raindance product line represents a significant
breakthrough in bathroom design, challenging conventional
shower head standards. With the Raindance concept,
we introduced a unique combination of the wide shower
spray of an overhead shower and the flexibility of a handheld shower, further improved by our AirPower technology,
which enriches water with air to create a fuller and lighter
droplet sensation. This innovation has significantly elevated
the showering experience and redefined the product
category.
The Unica shower system was developed to address the
inconvenience of traditional handheld shower heads,
offering a hands-free showering experience by combining
a vertical, height-adjustable rod with the shower head.
Ease of use
Water at the
touch of a button:
hansgrohe Select
Our solutions are easy to use. People
intuitively and immediately know how to
operate them. Using hansgrohe products
is also easy and reliable thanks to their
clarity and structure. And with the added
advantage of intuitive labeling and haptic
feedback, people naturally experience
a sense of lifelong delight.
Inspired by pushbutton convenience, we’ve
developed our Select Technology, an
operating system that allows to change
a faucet’s or shower’s water jet spray with
the tap of a finger. Which is why we’re
integrating this technology across all of our
product categories for greater ease of use,
form, and function.
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RainTunes.
Shower with
all your senses.
The feeling of Home
Senseware
By enhancing our products with rich, sensory
experiences, we create an atmosphere of well-being
for people. Inspired by fine furniture and modern
consumer electronics, hansgrohe products are
expertly crafted to create a bathroom that is warm,
cozy, and inviting. Which is why all of our products
look, feel, and sound like they belong in actual living
spaces. It’s also why we use haptics, materials, and
sound to enhance the overall user experience.
The individual hansgrohe faucets, showers, fixtures,
and furnishings are designed to work together
holistically to create something greater than the sum
of their parts. A synergy of style, design, function and
technology that creates a hansgrohe bathroom like
never before.
Our products use an intelligent combination of
hardware and software to excite and delight all
five senses. We call it Senseware. And it’s designed
to create rich, multisensory experiences for every
moment, mood, and desire.
RainTunes combines water, light, sound, and fragrance
to create rich, immersive sensory experiences. With
RainTunes, the hansgrohe shower experience allows
people to choreograph multisensory experiences to
fit every mood and moment. The jet type PowderRain
dissolves water into countless microdroplets that feel
like a smooth cloud on the skin – an enormously
revitalizing experience for any user. It’s the perfect
way to integrate well-being into an everyday routine.
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WATER
Human development is closely linked to water. Centuries have
passed from the use of a stream to satisfy basic hygienic needs or
a lake as a place of well-being to the establishment of the sanitary
facilities we know today. Much has been improved and benefited
from technical progress. But there are also aspects of the relationship between human and water that have been left behind.
It is the feeling of a waterfall on the skin, the splashing of
a summer rain, the murmur of a stream that also makes water
an experience. Water can provide sensory experiences that are
essential to human well-being and can have a profound impact
on mental and emotional health. It offers moments of relaxation
and a sense of connection to the natural world.
Something analogous has happened to our relationship with the
appreciation of water.
Our relationship with water consumption has changed due to
the convenience of modern plumbing. This has led to a lack of
awareness of our water consumption.
Since there was no longer the requirement to fetch water from a
well, bathtubs have grown in size and comfort, and shower heads
have become larger, making it difficult to gauge the volume of
water used. It is important to develop a new awareness and
approach to water, in view of the conservation of resources and
the efficient use of the energy required for heating. Implementing
water-efficient fixtures and technology can help to reduce water
consumption and minimize the energy required for heating.
In addition, providing responsible water use habits, such as
special sprays for hand washing, can contribute to the overall
sustainability of our bathrooms, without compromising on the
experience.
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The use of water in a building presents technical challenges that can only
be overcome through good product quality and maintenance. Water can
cause corrosion, leave behind limescale stains and damage sensitive
interior materials. Regular care and maintenance are required to preserve
the bathroom and create a positive long-term impression. To simplify
cleaning and maintenance, products can be concealed, reducing visual
elements and the risk of limescale and dirt build-up. Smooth surfaces, fewer
joints, scratch-resistant finishes and robust materials can make cleaning
easier. Maintenance can be reduced and simplified through thoughtful
and technically sophisticated solutions that make it easy to replace
wearing parts or even update the product to the latest technical standards.
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What is Hansgrohe‘s take on that
Water on Skin
Our water solutions are designed to make water
experiences natural and invigorating. With our
human-centered mindset, we create moments of
deep relaxation to help people enjoy life to the
fullest. From adjustable water flow shower heads
to waterfall-like faucet spouts, hansgrohe allows
people to experience water on an exciting, personal
level. hansgrohe bathrooms transform water into
extraordinary, sensuous experiences. Our faucets
and showers are specially designed to shape the
way water touches and caresses the skin. They fully
immerse us in the moment. From relaxing in a soothing
water cocoon to reenergizing under a wild waterfall.
When we embark on new, unexplored paths, we‘re
exposed to new ideas and concepts along the
way. It‘s a dynamic process that allows new design
icons and archetypes to emerge. This has been
the creative space in which Rainfinity was born. It‘s
based on the idea of cocooning people in a very
fine cloud - like vapor of rain droplets. It‘s achieved
with a large, angle-adjustable curved disk, which
delivers an inviting, immersive cloud of water that can
be slowly stepped into. It‘s one more example of real
hansgrohe innovation that has transformed an entire
product category over the long term.
The Vivenis faucet by hansgrohe transforms water
into a lush, wide water spray pattern that caresses
the skin. Like a gentle waterfall, Vivenis transports
people into moments of revitalization and relaxation.
Building responsible solutions
Our commitment to people and the environment
requires clear goals and an innovation mindset.
It‘s all part of our long-term mission to convert our
entire product portfolio to EcoSmart and CoolStart
solutions by 2030. With EcoSmart, for example,
we‘re proving that water conservation and unique
water experiences go hand in hand.
Or consider our CoolStart technology, which has
become our standard product feature. It integrates
valuable water and energy savings directly into our
products: hot water only flows when you actively
move the handle to the left. That, in turn, helps
our consumers make their very own sustainability
contribution. It‘s one more way we are pursuing our
passion for designing products that are in touch with
our planet.
Design to be
in touch with our planet.
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From silky softness
to the strength of
water on the skin.
Working with Water
Water can be impressive and beautiful to look at. Whether it‘s the silky softness or the strength of the water
on the skin, whether it‘s a gentle sound or a loud splash. However, to tame water, one must have a deep
understanding of its properties and work with it accordingly. Our expertise in water is unmatched, and we take
pride in delivering the best possible experience to our customers. At hansgrohe, we have a long tradition of
water taming, and over the decades, we have developed a knowledge that allows us to achieve the desired
effects with water. These fittings range from powerful and pulsating shower jets to those that prevent water
from splashing outside the shower. Faucets that, in combination with the basin, don‘t splash when the water
jet hits it, to fixtures where the water path is integrated into the design in such a way as to optimize the flow
of water so it doesn‘t make any noise.
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Little to no
splashing at the wash basin
with our ComfortZone test.
The Xevolos washbasins are perfectly adapted to our faucets. This
ensures that the inner surface of the basin not only looks neat and tidy,
but also that the water does not splash, flows smoothly and the drain
capacity is right. The same applies to our wall-mounted fittings and high
risers, providing a holistic bathroom experience down to the last detail.
The Tecturis collection is one of many products that are available with
ComfortZone. By maximizing elbowroom and comfort of use, this
hansgrohe innovation is designed around the individual needs of our
customers. With its intuitive handling, outstanding design and refined
technology, ComfortZone redefines space in every built-in basin, hand
basin, or wash bowl.
Maximizing
comfort.
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SPACE
A place is not just a physical space, it is
the vibe, feel and atmosphere, including
colors, textures, materials and shapes.
Our surroundings have a direct relationship with the way we feel
and make an impact on our emotional and physical well-being.
In creating spaces designed for well-being, we see an evolution from passive enclosures to active
contributors to a healthy environment. This shift has significant implications for the function and
aesthetics of spaces.
Functionally, spaces should be designed to promote physical and mental well-being, and as
spaces are not getting bigger, perfectly matched products that provide storage and are close to
the wall are very relevant as they can maximize space, support workflows and rituals and make
us feel comfortable. hansgrohe offers a system that can adapt and connect to a wide range of
interiors, with elements that elegantly complement the room and form a symbiotic relationship.
This approach provides the opportunity to seamlessly integrate unique, individual, and holistic
bathroom experiences into the architecture.
Aesthetically, the focus should be on creating visually calming, uplifting, and harmonious environments.
Design and aesthetics have to contribute to align with the overall theme and style of the hotel to
create a cohesive and visually
appealing experience for guests.
Harmonious, balanced, and
compatible geometry, shapes,
proportions, and surfaces play
a crucial role in achieving this
objective.
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What is Hansgrohe‘s take on that
Elegant integration
We unite beauty and functionality into unique, one-of-a-kind creations. Our holistic approach
energizes living spaces and delights the senses. At the same time, it applies the very latest
technology for a completely new set of possibilities.
The hansgrohe Rainfinity shoulder shower is a perfect expression of beauty in functionality.
The shower is integrated inside an attractive, convenient shelf, which makes it ideal for unique
relaxation moments. It’s one more example of how well-thought-out functionality can be
expressed in a simple, beautiful form. A new, dual-function archetype is born.
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Addressing the
human relationship with space.
Beautiful living spaces
We enhance bathrooms by integrating fixtures with architectural design, creating a cohesive and visually
appealing environment. This results in a unified system that brings unexpected beauty to any room. Our
products are built to last, ensuring bathrooms remain a timeless and enjoyable space. We offer a wide range
of design options to suit any interior style, with a variety of colors and finishes to cater to different tastes. Our
focus on style and technology ensures the perfect combination for every need.
The Pulsify collection is designed to address the human relationship with space. Its geometric and reduced
design language creates a minimalist look, while its proximity to the wall ensures maximum freedom of
movement in the shower. The flat pipe that runs directly on the wall brings the convenience of a great
overhead shower even to small bathrooms without the need for complex installation. Furthermore, Pulsify
can seamlessly integrate into various interiors with the available Finish Plus options. The thermostat, which
accurately maintains the desired temperature, doubles as a functional shelf, providing plenty of storage space
while remaining close to the wall, with no corners or edges to bump into.
Additionally, the overhead shower automatically drains itself at the end of use, eliminating any residual
dripping. The many details all work together to create a holistic bathroom experience.
The Talis series has become a design icon and product archetype, known for its modern silhouette and
timeless appeal. Designed to maintain its beauty over the long term, it exemplifies hansgrohe‘s commitment to
creating products that withstand the test of time, rather than following fleeting fashion trends.
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Rely on style
As we explored the concept of the holistic bathroom experience, we discovered the significance of aesthetic
value in spaces. Aesthetic values are expressed in every interior and design style. We have identified four:
Decorative, Sculptural, Constructive, and Minimal, each addressing different aesthetic values. Thanks to the
vocabulary of our aesthetic value spaces, these are more universally understood and broader than singular
interior styles. They help in the further development of the holistic bathroom experience to ensure that elements
function even in a wide variety of contexts and over long time frames.
The decorative value space is a reaction to a technocratic world, a more humanistic approach that celebrates
the rich individuality of the decorative and artistic heritage.
The sculptural value space embraces the values of natural artefacts and simple forms with caring warmth in
contrast to engineered products.
The constructive value space is based on the values of craftsmanship and industrialized processes; it
emphasizes the value of raw qualities such as durability and authenticity.
Decorative
Sculptural
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Constructive
The minimalistic value space focuses on reducing things to their essence. This
approach goes beyond mere shapes and is a way of living in an increasingly
complex and busy world.
FinishPlus brings bathroom spaces to life with a new, timeless set of surface
options. They allow to individualize bathrooms in exciting ways – from classic
Chrome, Matte Black and Matte White to Brushed Black Chrome, Polished Gold
Optic and Brushed Bronze. From taps to furniture handles, from showerheads to
shower drains, there is a consistent color throughout the range. FinishPlus turns
customized bathrooms into individual design statements. FinishPlus surfaces help
architects and interior designers to turn customized bathrooms into individual
design statements.
Minimalistic
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Action Points
What you can do to improve bathrooms that now
only function well so they also leave a lasting
impression with their holistic experience:
Increase intuitiveness
See the bathroom through the eyes of the guests.
Choose easy-to-use and easy-to-customize solutions that make guests feel welcome from the
first moment they experience the
bathroom.
Address senses
Let your bathrooms appeal
to all the senses. Use colors,
materials, haptics and sound
to enhance the overall user
experience and create rich,
immersive sensory experiences
that leave lasting impressions and
make your project stand out.
Prioritize Resources
Decide for eco-friendly and energy-efficient
technology to conserve water and reduce
the environmental impact, while still creating unique water experiences.
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Ease Maintenance
Ensure ease of maintenance so the holistic
bathroom experience remains hassle-free,
allowing to enjoy the space without the
burden of extensive upkeep.
Realize Potential
Benefit from the wide choice available to
you and make the bathroom the centerpiece
of your project. This intimate and personal
space has the potential to elevate your
project to new heights. The multi-sensory
experience and perception of the users
will ensure that this investment pays off in
increased satisfaction and loyalty.
Blend and merge
Create a holistic bathroom experience and
merge the bathroom into the architecture
using the high adaptability and flexibility
of hansgrohe elements. Think bold and
blend your top priorities with the essential
elements that suit your budget and create a
unique overall impression.
Utilize Space
Provide practical solutions, such as shelves
and multi-purpose storage surfaces, that can
be used in wet and semi-wet environments
to simplify daily bathroom routines and
enhance overall quality of well-being.
Seek to give the user as much freedom as
possible through a thoughtful layout.
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About PHOENIX
PHOENIX is a product innovation studio that turns brands into winners of tomorrow’s well-being
mega-economy. As an independent, award-winning studio, PHOENIX makes the foggy future
visible to its partners, accompanying them from idea to market success. Today, the team of around
70 international design experts reinvents the future of well-being in Stuttgart, Munich, and Shanghai
and thus stands for excellent design—as confirmed by over 900 design awards.
About hansgrohe
hansgrohe stands for holistic bathroom experiences that combine water and energy-saving
technologies, intelligent functions and long-lasting quality. With timeless and innovative premium
products, the brand supports a sustainable lifestyle and transforms daily water routines into
extraordinary experiences. Driven by a unique pioneering spirit, hansgrohe, together with its longstanding partner PHOENIX, creates living environments and product solutions for bathrooms and
kitchens that enrich everyday life with more design, comfort and enjoyment. Within the internationally
active Hansgrohe Group, the premium brand hansgrohe manufactures, markets and distributes
showers, shower systems, bathroom and kitchen faucets, bathroom accessories, furniture, sanitary
ceramics and kitchen sinks worldwide under the hansgrohe brand. hansgrohe. Life is waterful.
Expand your knowledge with our expert video
Interested in finding out even more about the holistic bathroom? Want to know specifically
how you can plan, build or sell it? Our experts from PHOENIX and hansgrohe will share
further details in this exclusive video. To receive the free video link, please register on our
PROHansgrohe website. This will bring you many advantages.
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