Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/177525
Pipe Up HIGH-TECH, INNOVATIVE PLUMBING PRODUCTS MAKE A SPLASH IN 2012 by John Atkinson Cutting-edge technology, innovative designs and sustainability are the overriding themes evident in the latest plumbing products to hit the market in 2012. As competition increases among manufacturers to produce bathtubs with bang, toilets with tone and showers with sizzle, irms have focused on developing high-tech, eco-friendly designs that retain functional simplicity. Kohler's striking Numi toilet is a prime example. Offering unrivalled water ef iciency, the Numi has a compact, stylish design and features a motionactivated lid and seat, built-in bidet, feet-warming function and even built-in speakers. "The Numi marks a new standard of excellence in the bathroom," says Donna Church, Kohler's marketing and communications manager. "It mixes technology and engineering to deliver a unique design and set of functions." Kohler also offers transcendent toilet technology with its Persuade® Circ Dual Flush model. The modern design boasts an easy-to-use dual- lush system, offering both a 1.6-gallon per lush (gpf) and eco-friendly 1.0 gpf. On the faucet front, Kohler's Loure collection features UltraGlideTM valve technology and touch-control for enhanced performance and reliability, while the elegant Re inia sports faucet handles mimicking the gentle unfolding of a sprouting plant. Soaked in style and comfort, the Sterling Lawson Baths range features drop-in baths, Air Massage baths and whirlpools. In addition, the latest Sterling shower door designs offer ive distinct styles and frameless glass with CleanCoat (glass-cleaning) Technology. Kohler's Tresham™ line of vanities, toilets, sinks and shower receptors also brings a playful eccentricity and eclectic elegance to the bathroom. Church says an overarching trend in both plumbing products and home décor is the idea of old meeting new. "Our Tresham line perfectly depicts this trend, pairing modern technology with a traditional design." Technology is also at the fore of Hansgrohe's RainBrainTM – a new computer system for showers. Much like a tablet, RainBrain features an electronic touchscreen, allowing users to control shower functions, including music via Bluetooth®. "RainBrain revolutionizes the shower experience," says Anita Plumbing Products p.10-15Plumbing.indd 11 Grif in, brand manager, Masco Canada, who represents Hansgrohe along with brands like Delta®, Brizo® and Axor. "As consumers adopt smartphones and tablets, they expect the same kind of interface and user-friendliness in other parts of the home. Today's technology is subtle and complements busy lifestyles." Axor's new bath products include updates to the Axor Citterio collection. The models, such as the Axor Citterio showerpipe, feature taller and sleeker silhouettes, while the showerpipe integrates the powerful Axor Citterio threejet showerhead with the Raindance S 100 three-jet hand-shower. Bolstering bathrooms in the faucet department will be the Charlotte bath collection, recently introduced by Brizo and inspired by the Art Deco movement. The collection will soon launch the new Brizo Cocoa BronzeTM inish. "Using rustic colours and inishes to warm up contemporary and stark spaces remains a strong trend," says Grif in. "Brizo's Charlotte is the irst to feature the Cocoa Bronze inish. The colour and rich details provide an aura of sophistication and blend with both modern and traditional décor." Meanwhile, Brizo® has teamed up with fashion designer Jason Wu to develop a new line of ittings and accessories due out this summer. The Jason Wu for BrizoTM bath collection sports a faucet, wastebasket, wall shelf and other accessories, all available in a distinctive matte black inish. Matt Robinson, business development manager at Robinson Lighting & Bath Centre, believes two of the plumbing products set to reign in 2012 are Kohler's Elevance Rising Wall bathtub and the Duravit Sensowash bidet seat. "One of the most unique tub launches this year was the Elevance Rising Wall tub," says Robinson, who predicts a surge in demand for specialty products due to an aging population. "It's a stylish alternative to a typical walk-in and uses a hidden weight system to raise and lower the tub walls, allowing you to sit down immediately." Robinson says the Duravit Sensowash shower seat – designed by Philip Stark – is a clean, contemporary, minimalist unit. "We've had trouble keeping them on our shelves, designers have been snapping them up," says Robinson, who's also a big fan of Kohler's Numi. On top of being hygienic, the Sensowash's functions include a heated seat, multiple spray settings, toilet-seat opener, self-cleansing and a night light – all controlled by the touch of a button. "I recently renovated my house and included a Sensowash seat in one of the bathrooms. The remote control that allows me to close the seat as I walk away may be a marriage saver!" quips Robinson. Robinson hopes to stock the Grohe Blue faucet that was launched last year in Frankfurt soon. The much-anticipated model – not yet released in North America – can provide still, semi-sparkling or sparkling water. Clockwise from left: Axor Citterio showerpipe from Masco Canada; R10 faucet series from Rubinet Faucet Company; Invisi Series II wall-hung toilet from Caroma. FEBRUARY 2012 /11 1/23/12 10:08:43 AM