Hansgrohe unterstützt Solar Decathlon

Solar Decathlon supported by Black Forest company

Schiltach, June 2010. What are the products of choice for an international architecture competition if sustainability is as highly rated as attractive design? For the bathroom, it will be fittings made by Axor, the designer brand of Hansgrohe AG. The bathroom and sanitation specialist from the Black Forest is sponsoring not one, but two ambitious groups competing in the building decathlon to be held in the Spanish capital Madrid from June 18 to 27: the student group “living EQUIA” from Berlin, and the “ikaROS Bavaria” team from Rosenheim. Both projects use fittings or shower systems made by Axor which combine water-saving features with good design. And with these products, the designer brand of Hansgrohe AG also provides two vital ingredients for the “building decathlon”. “We were persuaded by the combination of innovative function and appealing design found in Axor Urquiola,” said Linda Wortmann, Head of Architecture in the team from Berlin. “With its simple yet poetic visual language, this collection is the perfect match for our design philosophy, and it also meets the strictest requirements in terms of low water consumption.”

Aesthetics and sustainability
The mixers and showerheads featured in the two projects do indeed contribute to the ambitious target: for example, the Axor Urquiola wash basin mixers installed in the living EQUIA house are equipped with the Hansgrohe EcoSmart technology. A specially designed flow regulator limits the water flow to about five liters per minute. Since this means that, overall, less water needs to be heated, not only does this clever technology help to save water; it also reduces energy costs – without compromising the level of comfort. A further contribution to the efficient use of the resource water is made by the Hansgrohe Raindance AIR showerheads, which are used in the projects of both the Berlin and the Rosenheim teams. The integrated Hansgrohe AirPower technology ensures that the shower jets have the required volume in spite of the reduced water flow. It does this by mixing air and water inside the showerhead to produce a voluminous, gentle shower rain – creating pure shower pleasure and an intense feeling of well-being while using less water and energy. 

The high-quality products “Made in Germany” also appeal with their design: the sensual visual language of the Axor Urquiola bathroom collection succeeds in turning a basic wet cell into a place of well-being featuring an individual style. A case in point is the Axor Urquiola paravent installed in the Berlin house – a heating appliance that can be used as a room divider or as a wall-mounted radiator. Like other components in this program, it embodies the guiding motif of “mixing & melting” – the harmonious blending of shape and function, and is thus a perfect match for the fundamental concept of living EQUIA.

Scoring in all disciplines
Things will become really exciting in Madrid starting June 18, when an SDE jury of experts will subject the houses to a thorough inspection: In addition to the disciplines of sustainability and innovation, the projects will also be graded in eight other categories – architecture, engineering and construction, solar systems, electrical energy balance, comfort conditions, appliances, communication and social awareness as well as industrialization and market integration. The assessment includes objective data, such as the building’s physical properties, as well as subjective aspects, such as the impressions of members of the jury members of the jury. That points will be scored in all ten disciplines not least thanks to Hansgrohe is seen as a given by both living EQUIA and the ikaROS Bavaria team from Rosenheim.

 

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