The Circle - Hansgrohe

December 2008, Issue 06

Hansgrohe. Das Original.

TÜV SÜD Germany confirms top grades for Hansgrohe Shower Fun XXL! BEST: Design BEST: Quality BEST: User-Friendly Product LARGE showerheads are becoming ever more popular. The “Raindance” made by Hansgrohe was first launched in 2003, and today a wide range of these XXL hand-held showers are available.

But do these showerheads in fact live up their promises? Experts from the TÜV SÜD, a highly regarded international product testing and certification organization and from the Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Engineering (IAO) set out to investigate this very question using scientific and psychological criteria. In order to evaluate them, eighty-one testers,of both sexes and from various age groups took lengthy showers with a showerhead measuring no less than

150 millimeters in diameter.

The clear winner, with an overall score of 2.1, was the Raindance AIR E 150 from Hansgrohe. During the comprehensive shower tests, the evaluators closely examined four hand-held showers made by German manufacturers using theoretical and practical evaluation criteria.

The products were rated according to ‘overall optical impression’, ‘live shower comfort’ and ‘ergonomics’.

Right from the start, the Raindance AIR received top marks in the first category – quality of design – as the “most beautifully shaped showerhead”. It also scored the highest rating in terms of materials used, stability and the quality of workmanship (2.4).

Raindance AIR hand showers

The second category focused on the showering comfort provided by the different showerheads. Here the characteristic soft jet pattern of the Raindance AIR hand-held shower impressed with its ‘natural rain look and feel’. The testers especially enjoyed the perceived ‘additional volume of water’ which, when compared with the other showerheads, creates a ‘warmer physical sensation’. In this category the Raindance was awarded a grade of 2.2.

‘This XXL level of shower fun is the result of Hansgrohe AirPower technology’ Jan Heisterhagen, Product Manager of the Raindance series Is the showerhead comfortable and easy to operate, or does it become heavy in the course of a shower, or irritating and cumbersome to use?

These ergonomic aspects were investigated in the third test category.

Most of the evaluators found the Raindance to be “lighter, and less top-heavy” than the other models tested. Whereas the showerheads made by other manufacturers in some cases required both hands to switch between different jet patterns, the operation of the Raindance handheld shower was mostly described as “quicker and more convenient”.

With its simple handling and well-balanced ergonomic design, the Hansgrohe product also received the top mark in this category - scoring a 1.9.

Hansgrohe AG honored with internationally renowned’ Red Dot: Best of the Best 2008’ Award

Philippe Grohe presented with this year’s ‘Red Dot: Best of the Best’ Award for outstanding design

corporate news

AT a ceremony at the Aalto Theater in Essen, Hansgrohe AG was presented with this year’s “Red Dot: Best of the Best” Award for outstanding design. With this award, the international 24-member jury recognized the merits of the wash basin mixer in the new “Axor Citterio M” bathroom collection manufacured by the fixtures and shower specialist from Schiltach, Germany. The “Axor Citterio M” bathroom collection, developed in collaboration with the Milanbased star architect Antonio Citterio (with Toan Nguyen) already se-cured two iF Gold Awards in the spring of this year.

The Design Center North Rhine

Westphalia, organizers of the internationally renowned “Red Dot”competition only awarded 50 of the “Best of the Best” awards in 2008. Some 1,253 businesses from 51 countries competed for this prestigious prize with a total of 3,203 submissions.

“This award,” enthused Philippe Grohe, head of the designer brand Axor at Hansgrohe, “is something very special for Hansgrohe as one of the design pioneers in the sanitary industry. It recognizes our achievements in terms of the design of our products and of the bathroom as a whole as part of our living space. It endorses

our strategy of emphasizing formal and emotional qualities as well as providing our customers with the highest standard in terms of functionality. Thanks to our close collaboration with experienced top architects and designers such as Antonio Citterio, we continue to successfully break new ground and play an active role in the design of the bathroom of the future.”

As well as the award-winning wash basin mixer, the overhead shower and shower pipe in the Axor Citterio M collection, the Pharo SkyLine shower panel and the Hansgrohe Talis Classic fixtures each collected a “Red Dot 2008” prize.

Pontos AquaCycle: The idea behind water recycling Since2001 the company Pontos GmbH (Ltd.) is an independent subsidiary of the Hansgrohe AG Pontos has the high claim to meet ecological demands in accordance with nature.

The AquaCycle of Pontos guarantees 100% safe and hygienic water treatment to a constantly high quality. It works with the new environmentally friendly SmartClean techology: a four-phase-water treatment with UV-light sterilization, which renders germs and bacteria harmless. The recycled water conforms with the European Directive 76/160EWG for Recreational Water.

While the Hansgrohe, Axor and Pharo brands are mainly concerned with the water in the bathroom, Pontos develops technologies and systems concerned with how to use water in a house intelligently, e.g. by using shower water and bath water more than once.

The idea behind water recycling (www.pontos-aquacycle.de) is simple in concept: After a shower, the purified and reprocessed water is used to flush the toilet, do the laundry, or water the garden. In this vein, Pontos AquaCycle systems purify shower and bathing water according to a patented process in a purely mechanical and biological manner without added chemicals. The treated water generated this way is hygienically clean and can be used for any purpose that doesn’t require drinking-water quality. The quality of the water meets the requirements of the EU directive for bathing water, and even laundry can be washed without any loss in quality. Dealing thriftily with water as a resource is not the only result of this. Utilities costs are also reduced thanks to the decreased consumption of potable

Just use your water from shower and bath a second time - for your toilet, garden, laundry or domestic cleaning.

Different procedures in the household do not mandatorily require drinking water. Our idea was to use water from shower, bath tub and possibly hand wash basin (in the bath room) for the toilet water and the smaller amount of wastewater.

The standard version of the Pontos AquaCycle is designed for single-family homes or duplexes and consists of three pre-assembled modules. These can be expanded in larger properties in almost any way desired. Today the range of

Pontos AquaCycle System

products includes systems with a reprocessing capacity of between 600 and 30,000 liters a day. For large projects whose requirements are not covered by the product range offered, Pontos develops special custom-tailored solutions in collaboration with technical planners and architects.

The clean and innovative solution: The AquaCycle of Pontos cleans water from shower and bath. Finds a space in every cellar or basement - quickly installed, silent and free of odours.

Your instant savings: Up to 90.000 litres annually in a household of four to five. Keep in mind that you are also reducing your wastewater, which is normally more expensive than your freshwater, so you will save twice.

Maximum savings: no other environmentally friendly technology has cost cutting potential of AquaCycle.

The cleaning principle: The all-new patented SmartClean® system with UV sterilisation.

AquaCycle 900 600 litres/day

Suitable for: single house, semidetached house, small business Annual saving potential: 90–219 [m 3 /a]

Did you know…

Bahrain

South Africa

Hansgrohe in South Africa helps make dreams come true

The Amwaj Homes Project, Bahrain

Amwaj Homes Project win for Hansgrohe and Al Abbas Gallery LOCATED on fashionable Amwaj Island, Amwaj Homes will be completed by May 2009. Hansgrohe Focus products are supplied throughout the freehold villas, representing another win for our exclusive partner in Bahrain, Mohamed Haji of Al Abbas Gallery.

Amwaj Homes is situated on three different plots, comprising a superbly designed residential complex. It offers architectural design by the award winning Australian architects Davenport Campbell. while interior design by the internationally accomplished Rima Abutteen defines the space and character of the villas. “Spanish kitchens, European floor and

wall tiles, German sanitary ware by Keramag & precision engineered fittings from Hansgrohe, benchmark the quality and are exclusively supplied by the Abbas Gallery,” elaborated Mr. Haji.

Mr. Haji further commented: “The launch of Amwaj Homes at the prestigious Amwaj Islands is our largest development to date, and for Nardin Properties it will be a milestone achievement. We are confident that Amwaj Homes will bring in new clientele to Amwaj Islands and as with all of our Amwaj Islands experience to date, will sell very quickly. Full occupancy of the first phase is anticipated in early 2009.”

IN September 2008 thirty seven excited children from Bethesda Home in Soweto, South Africa were sponsored

by Personalised Bathrooms to attend Reach for a Dream’s Camp Sunshine at Camp Discovery. The Reach for a Dream initiative aims to help children coping with life-threatening illnesses as well as their families to believe in the power of dreams. The program trusts that children can beat their illnesses by dreaming of better things, and by taking part in activities that boost their confidence.

At the camp, activities are based on experiential learning principles. Learning takes place through goal-orientated games and outdoor activities such as bundu racing, hiking trails, obstacle courses, night adventure, bushveld quiz, game drives, and boxcar races. On the final day the exhausted but delighted kids attended the traditional Camp Sunshine certificate ceremony, where Peter Groenewald from Personalised Bathrooms congratulated the children for their personal and team efforts and presented each with a laminated certificate marking their participation.

“We have supported Reach for

Activities are based on experiential learning principles A Dream since 2005 and believe that nothing is more fulfilling than the laughter of children and seeing the delight on their little faces,” said Lynnette Mederer, Marketing Director, Personalised Bathrooms, “I am a believer that having fun is the best cure for a person who is ill and we whole-heartedly support this charity and hope that our small contribution will help in a big way.”

Rounding off the Reach for a Dream campaign was a Kingdom of Dreams gala event at the Lagoon Beach Hotel. Various items, including works of

Delighted kids attend the traditional Camp Sunshine certificate ceremony art and a Hansgrohe Raindance Connect, were auctioned off to raise money for the initiative.

Turkey

Oman

Royal Tulip Mirbat Resort and Spa Another prestigious win for Hansgrohe THE Royal Tulip Mirbat Resort and Spa is a 5-star hotel project, and is expected to open its doors by the end of 2008.

Mirbat Development is an OR 1.1Bn project situated in Salalah, part of the Dhofar region in southern Oman and covers a land-mass of 2 million square metres. The integrated development features residential, commercial, tourism and entertainment components which will be completed in several phases.

Phase one of the project includes the Royal Tulip Mirbat Resort & Spa. Hansgrohe, in partnership with local importer P.K.S. Das of Best Gulf Trading, won the project. Items supplied in-

and Dizyan Ev Gerecleri Ltd

The five-star Royal Tulip, Oman clude: Talis E2 line with Croma 100 Multi/ Unica C Set 0.65m shower set for Guest rooms,

and Axor Massaud high riser basin mixer for the Royal Suites.

Saudi Arabia FOR the first time since partnering with Nabeel Al Siddiq Trading Services, Inc, Hansgrohe joined Mr Hesham Al Siddiq in a seminar to create awareness of our products, company history and future vision for the Saudi market.

The Hansgrohe Seminar was held at the Le Meridian Hotel in Khobar on 14 October 2008.

Sixty five participants, including staff members as well as top contracting companies including the Royal Commis-

THE wondrous Safisa Mardan Palace, located in Anatalya Kundu, is considered the most luxurious hotel in Turkey. It is located on the beautiful shore of the Mediterranean Sea in the Lara region and incorporates 529 unique rooms. The hotel has been designed by three architectural firms.

Our partner Dizyan Ev Gerecleri Ltd. in Turkey sealed the deal. On the ‘European’ side of the project the suites are beautified with Axor Citterio in gold while Axor Citterio in chrome gold finishes are used for standard rooms. For both standard rooms and suites on the ‘Anatolian’ side, Axor Terrano in gold finish has been applied. Standard rooms are equipped with Axor Carlton Chrome Gold.

All suites have Axor Carlton gold plated finishes.

If you are interested in dining in the Safisa Madlen Palace, you will notice that restaurants have Axor Massaud in gold chrome mixers. Finally, Axor Starck X in gold electronic mixers found in meeting rooms.

Don’t miss the opportunity to see this amazing 5 star wonder. You will surely be in awe.

The Safisa Mardan Palace, Turkey

2008 Euro Cup fever! sion and ARAMCO, gathered to discuss the Diverse World of Hansgrohe - featuring Axor collections and green-friendly products for water-saving practices.

in the Region

Hesham Al Siddiq presents Hansgrohe in Khobar, KSA

Albert Emlek and guests enjoying the football match in Switzerland

THE dramatic action of Euro 2008 may live long in our memories but attention is drawn to our partner Albert Emlek and his adrenaline rush during the European Championship Finals held in Switzerland and Austria this summer.

Hansgrohe and Dizayn Ev Gerecleri Ltd along with Duravit and Geberit flew 35 clients to witness the match between Turkey and Switzerland in Switzerland. Euro 2008 might be over, but the excitement and celebration of Turkey winning 2:1 will remain a spectacular memory for all concerned.

Made in Germany

Hansgrohe presents the new Focus E2 line of mixers TODAY, no other room is undergoing as profound a change as the bathroom.

Once normally fitted out to serve exclusively as a wash room, this space is being discovered as a personal oasis of well-being - with contemporary, harmonious design creating an individual space of retreat. To cater to these design requirements the mixers and shower specialist Hansgrohe builds on its successful design of its Focus series by introducing its new Focus E2 line of mixers. Key attractions of the new product line include: its confident, appealingly austere design language (by Phoenix Design, Stuttgart/Tokyo), the ease with which various elements can be combined, as well as its clever technology and competitive pricing.

The Focus E2 washbasin mixer echoes the philosophy of the “Elegance” theme in the Hansgrohe “World of Styles”.

With a mixer body that is raked forward dynamically, it provides an elegant, sleek appearance. An ergonomic grip is combined with organic freeform shapes and harmonious minimalist elements. Perfectly flat surfaces blend with organic

curves as well as the open angle between the grip and the outlet to create exciting contrasts. The eye is drawn to the well-defined edges and bright surfaces which underline the discreet, luxurious appeal of the washbasin mixer. These features allow for the Focus E2 single-level mixer to be integrated into a wide range of different washbasin environments, thereby permitting use of contrasting style combinations in bathroom design.

Perfect in Combination The new Focus E2 line of mixers is not only designed for universal application; it is also the ideal product for use in combination with Hansgrohe showerheads. In particular, the new Hansgrohe shower collection Crometta 85 is the perfect partner for the Focus E2 series bathtub and shower mixers. The ideal solution for harmo-nious bathroom design is therefore available from a single source, while also incorporating the famous Hansgrohe shower comfort.

Simply smart: using water and energy more efficiently Thanks to Hansgrohe EcoSmart technology, the water

The cylindrical, slim body shows Elegance

The plain flat handle underlines Quality

“The trend towards overhead showers continues unabated,” confirms Jan Heisterhagen, who as Hansgrohe product manager has a firm eye on trends within the shower market and on customer preferences. “This is why we have added three products to our Croma 100 shower fixture range that offer popular overhead showering pleasure. Here the three different functional solutions take account of personal showering tastes but also the different installation and application options.”

Even last year, Hansgrohe, the shower specialist, had already set new standards in price, performance and design.

The 100-mm shower face of the Croma 100 hand shower with its pleasantly broad, generous shower rain provides simply more showering pleasure.

The straight shiny spout generates Value

The forward angle expresses Dynamism

flow in the Focus E2 mixer is limited; resulting in a full, satisfying water flow that is still environmentally friendly. This is accomplished by use of

Croma 100 Showerpipe

Thanks to the new additions – the Croma 160 overhead shower, the Croma 100 Showerpipe and the Unica’Reno Lift set with its adjustable height setting – this showering pleasure will in future be able to come from above as well, supplying the gratifying pouring effect, in which water cascades down onto the shower occupant like a gentle summer rain.

One lift from hand spray to overhead shower Enjoy overhead showering pleasure in the comfort of your own bathroom without installing a separate

l M2 cartridge l QuickClean l SoftPex hoses l Safety function

The open angle brings Suspense

QuickClean and EcoSmart(7,2 lpm) are documenting Responsibility and Technology Hansgrohe AirPower technology - wherein a specially designed aerator integrated into the outlet performs several key functions simultaneously. It en-

Showering pleasure for all Enjoy the unique overhead shower feeling and XXL performance with the extensions to the Croma 100 shower collection: Shower pleasure at low water pressure

Organic design in combination with elegant edges, plain forms and brilliant surfaces.

riches the water with air, retains suspended solids and gives shape to the water jet, making it soft to the touch. The aerator also reduces the noise level

and limits water consumption to a maximum of 7.2 liters per minute – and all without the slightest reduction in comfort and convenience.

What’s new

www.hansgrohe-mea.com Croma 160

overhead unit.

How is it possible?

The new Unica’Reno Lift is the solution. Its cleverly designed functions make an overhead shower out of the Croma 100 in a flash. The hand shower is simply inserted into the shower attachment.

Then the shower occupant adjusts the spray to his or her individual height, by setting the sliding shower bar to the desired level. Thanks to the lift function, the shower bar can be adjusted by up to 20 centimetres in height. Even the small in stature can still reach the hand shower in the upper position with ease.

The overhead shower attachment extends the projection of the Croma 100 hand shower to 40 centimetres so that the spray jet comes centrally from above and offers the shower occupant sufficient freedom of movement.

“Installing the Unica’Reno Lift is unbelievably simple,“ explains Jan Heisterhagen.

Product Information

Order your EcoSmart brochure today

For inquiries and information, please contact: Unica Reno “Just like a shower bar, the system can be easily mounted using the existing drill holes.”

The Hansgrohe Unica’Reno Lift is available as part of a set including a shower hose and the Croma 100 Multi with three spray types or the Croma 100 Vario hand unit, which has four intensity settings ranging from soft rain shower to stimulating massage jet.

For Africa, India, Levant and Mediterranean: Tel: 00 357 22 441 370 Fax: 00 357 22 441 374

For the Gulf Countries: Tel: 00 971 4 332 6565 Fax: 00 971 4 331 0065

Editor-in-Chief: Lina Varytimidou Publisher: Hansgrohe Middle East & Africa Artemisia Business Center Office 201 CY 2015 Nicosia Email: nicosia@hansgrohe.com www.hansgrohe-circle.com