Kitchen & Bath Design News is the industry's leading business, design and product resource for the kitchen and bath trade.
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Duravit has updated its OpenSpace foldable shower with OpenSpace B, a version expanded to include new sizes. OpenSpace B can be combined with any Duravit shower tray or placed directly on the tiled floor. The optional mirrored door conceals the tap fittings and shower attachments. Circle No. 155 on Product Card Acquadolce from Fantini is an in-wall, ceiling mounted showerhead featuring rain, waterfall and mist functions on the same panel, or on two different panels if so desired. The shower system features user-friendly touch-screen technology on a frosted glass panel to activate the different functions. Circle No. 156 on Product Card The design of the Elan Vital Shower collection from Watermark Designs is reminiscent of industrial steam pipes from the 18th century, according to the company. Modern touches include a 1.5 gpm aerator (finished with intricate knurled metal) and a small exposed thermostatic valve for a clean finish. Circle No. 157 on Product Card KWC's ELY blends together cylin- drical and elliptical forms to create a distinctive design and direct its jet of water where needed. The ELY offers two spray settings: fitjet for a full-sur- face spray and powerjet for a powerful water massage. Circle No. 158 on Product Card usy lifestyles often mean an increase in showering and less time spent lounging in a tub. A consumer move away from bathtubs elevates the expectations for the showering space. As a result, large, luxurious showers are on the rise, with enclosures trending toward open, spacious designs that highlight beauty and style. Shower features and technologies are varied and multifunctional, and consumers are more often choosing low- and no-threshold options for easy accessibility. That's accord- ing to manufacturers recently surveyed by Kitchen & Bath Design News. "The bathroom square footage space isn't necessarily getting larger, but the square footage dedicated to the shower space is – where home- owners are often opting for smaller tubs or no tubs at all to accommo- date a larger shower area," says Greg Weyman, v.p./marketing for Basco Shower Enclosures in Mason, OH. "The tub-to-shower conversion is the biggest remodeling project in North America," states Robert Sears of Trending Accessibility based in Pensauken, NJ. "Consumers want to remove the largest physical barrier in the room, the bathtub," he says. "We see a large demand for European Wet Rooms that are a whole room solution for waterproofing the room and providing a curbless result," he adds. Designers must also cater to the desire for pampering, and strive to create spaces that incorporate products that bring a personal touch to the space. Chris Bishop, marketing brand manager at Graff in Milwaukee, WI, sees a trend toward creating spa-like comfort with added personaliza- tion. "For designers, this allows them to explore the space and physical elements that will enable the greatest user experiences," he says. GRAND SCALE Regardless of the size of the bathroom, showers are claiming more square footage. Consumers want what they want, and these days that means room to accommodate larger showerheads or more than one option. Ryan Ramaker, director of product development for Alpharetta, GA-based Hansgrohe, sees more square footage being devoted to baths. "People spend at least 15 minutes of their day in the shower. They want larger spaces for a more comfortable experience," he says. "Bigger is better," agrees Judd Lord, senior director of industrial design for Brizo Kitchen & Bath Co. in Indianapolis, IN. "Homeowners are increasingly renovating their baths with double showers to include oversized raincan showerheads with separate handshowers to allow for both a customized and luxurious showering experience." "Shower enclosures continue to become larger and more spacious," adds Larry Allen, CEO/managing director for Gessi North America in Anaheim, CA. In master baths, he says, a 72"x36" size is becoming more common. Regional influences have some impact on shower size. In the Northeast, says Sears, there's still an abundance of 59"x32" shower pans, mimicking Open shower enclosures incorporate spa-like features designed to personalize the space. BY ELIZABETH RICHARDS Expansive & Adaptable B 46 Kitchen & Bath Design News • September 2016 PRODUCT TREND REPORT