Our private living space is a mirror of our personality. A charming fusion of different styles and objects, of memories and emotions. In the course of time, everything finds its place – whether intentionally or at random, whether it be something handed down to you by your grandmother or discovered while you were travelling, whether it be modern or classic in origin. In this way, every living space tells its own very individual story. It is the story and the desires of the people who live in this space and who provide it with a character all of its own.
The change and the interaction of personal styles is the foundation of the new Axor Urquiola collection. The Spanish designer Patricia Urquiola is inspired by people and their changing desires. A far cry from traditional norms, conventions and rigid structures, her design is a celebration of detail, variety, sensuality and vibrant energy. The entire collection is characterized by flowing transitions, soft shapes and gentle curves. Every single element has its own charming and endearing qualities.
In a living space that allows you maximum freedom, all the elements come together in harmony. Take advantage of this new freedom to release your own, invigorating mix of styles and create your personal retreat. With Axor Urquiola, the line between bathroom and living area, between today and tomorrow becomes fluid. It offers an invigorating freedom that awakens our senses – every day anew.
The international environmental management standard ISO 14001 assists manufacturers with the management, control and reporting of their environmental performance. Developed by the International Organization for Standardization, the standards enable manufacturers to develop a streamlined environmental management system (EMS) to minimize the impact of their operations on the environment. Compliant companies can seek certification from accredited auditors.
WELS rated
The Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards (WELS) scheme rates the water efficiency of showers, taps, flow controllers, sanitaryware, toilets, urinals, whitegoods, clothes washers and dishwashers. By identifying the water consumption of these products, the WELS scheme enables consumers and specifiers to compare the relative efficiency of products. The criteria used for WELS ratings are explained further in Australian and New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 6400:2005 Water-efficient products – Rating and labelling.
Reduces water consumption
Products that reduce water consumption can make a valuable contribution to managing natural resources. There are several types of products that reduce water consumption – products that actively save water (water tanks, for example); products that enable the reuse of water (grey water recycling systems); and products that consume minimal water in operation (water-efficient tapware and appliances, self-cleaning glass).
Reduces energy consumption
Making use of materials and products that reduce energy consumption can have a major influence on the environmental impact of a building project. Teaming passive design strategies (orientation, building shape, natural lighting and ventilation) with low-energy lighting, thermally efficient insulation and low-e glass can reduce a project’s reliance on heating and cooling systems, resulting in lower energy consumption. Likewise, use of energy-efficient appliances, alternative energy systems (solar, hydro) and building management systems can also reduce the project’s carbon footprint.
Reduces heating or cooling load
Heating and cooling load is the amount of energy consumed to maintain a desired temperature within a building. Project design – and the materials and products employed – plays a significant role in optimizing the performance of heating and cooling systems, to reduce the energy expended on internal climate control. Elements that affect heating and cooling load include heat transferred through glass windows and doors, infiltration of outside air, and the impact of people, lighting and electronic equipment.
Reduces waste or pollution
Streamlined production processes can reduce the environmental impact of manufacturing. Environmentally responsible manufacturers focus upon reducing emissions, minimizing waste created during production, and ensuring energy-efficient operation. Waste-reducing production can also reduce costs, as manufacturers can make better use of resources.
Low embodied water
Embodied energy refers to the energy consumed in producing and distributing products and materials. This spans the extraction of resources, processing and manufacturing, and distribution of the final product. Products and materials with low embodied energy generally require simpler manufacturing processes – for example, natural resources such as timber require less processing than aluminium and other metals. Specifying products with low embodied energy can reduce pollution, depletion of resources and degradation of the environment.
Low embodied energy
Like embodied energy, embodied water is the water used to create and distribute a product or material (as distinct from water used during its operation). Reducing the amount of embodied water in a product’s manufacture and distribution can lessen its impact on the environment.
Made using renewable energy
Many manufacturers now make use of certified renewable energy – energy produced using natural resources such as sun, wind, rain, tides and geothermal heat. Eco-conscious companies choose renewable energy to reduce their carbon footprint, to offset emissions and to fulfil stated environmental objectives. Renewable energy is estimated to supply around 18% of global energy consumption, with biomass (wood burning, for example) the most popular, followed by hydroelectricity and wind power.
Designed for disassembly
Design for disassembly is a manufacturing strategy that anticipates the future reuse of individual components or materials, enabling a product to be broken into its constituent parts for reuse or recycling. Design for disassembly can make recycling easier, resulting in less use of new resources, less energy consumption and less landfill. In economic terms, design for disassembly gives further value to products beyond their original life. Disassembling a structure rather than demolishing it can also reduce impact on the environment by reducing dust released during demolition, reducing land degradation and reducing transport costs of disposing of materials to landfill.
Production waste is recyclable
Manufacturing processes inevitably produce waste; environmentally responsible manufacturers ensure this waste is minimized and recyclable. Production waste can sometimes be reprocessed for reuse in the same production process. Alternatively, production waste may be reused in the manufacture of other products or materials (post-industrial recycled content).
Recyclable
Recyclable products and materials can be reprocessed and transformed into new goods at the end of their useful life. Materials composed of a single substance (for example, aluminium or concrete) are generally easier to dismantle and recycle than those composed of multiple substances. Employing recyclable materials offers several benefits – reduced use of new resources, reduced landfill, reduced costs for manufacturers.
Made from rapidly renewable material
Rapidly renewable materials regenerate more quickly than their typical harvest demand – for example, grown and harvested in 10 years or less. Popular rapidly renewable materials include bamboo, cork, wool, straw, natural linoleum, soy bean composites, sugarcane bagasse, kenaf and hemp. Rapidly renewable materials should be produced naturally and quickly, without significant environmental or air-quality impact or increased erosion.
Since 1901, Hansgrohe has acquired a reputation in the sanitation sector as one of the innovative leaders in technology and design. With its fittings, showers and shower systems, Hansgrohe creates the original product... More...
