25 top tips

Architect spoke to Purity's Jeronimo Vernetti, TecnoIN's Robert Harper, Laufen's Ivan Zupanovic, Duravit's Franz Kook as well as Villeroy & Boch, Roca, Roman & Dornbracht to bring you the top 25 things architects should know when designing bathrooms.

How much architects specify bathroom components is a difficult question. Traditionally, that decision would fall on the fit-out designer and/or developer as it is largely the result of a cost/benefit analysis. But in the Middle East, where architects often control much of the building process, their input on bathroom components is crucial. To that end, Architect caught up with several of the industry's top manufacturers, suppliers and distributors to highlight 25 things the industry believes architects and developers need to know about bathroom design.

1. Use natural light

"Light is a key factor for comfort and overall health. Take advantage of natural light and don't cut corners on the lighting fixtures, or else you'll surely regret it later." (Vernetti, Purity)

2. Space saving for small bathroom design

The Trapezium Enclosure (TE) by Roman, is ideal for small bathrooms restricted by a window frame, door frame, or other bathroom furniture. Many small bathrooms feature a bath with a window above one end preventing the installation of a bath screen or the replacement of the bath by a shower enclosure. The TE design fits around bathroom restrictions that may limit the installation of a shower, but still allows access to the window.

3. Omnia GreenGain

This is the first wall-mounted WC that consumes just 3.5 litres of water per flush. This represents a reduction of 2.5 litres per flush on the normal flushing volume and therefore corresponds to a saving of 40%. If the lower flushing volume is selected when using the dual flush system, the WC will only use 2 litres of water per flush. (Villeroy & Boch)

4. In-house, on-site

"All of the trades required to build a bathroom-tilers, electricians, carpenters, fitters, plumbers-are all right here with us. That means contractors don't need to arrange for the intervention of all those crafts. When the bathrooms leaves our factory, it's 99% ready to be installed and fully functional." (Robert Harper, TecnoIN)

5. Integration of washing area into bedroom

"This has been the trend of the decade. This design will enhance the look and feel of both the bedroom and the bathroom, while adding a dual functionality to the washing area." (Vernetti, Purity)

6. Quaryl

This high-quality material enables a variety of stylish designs for baths and shower trays. When planning a new bathroom, it provides greater freedom in terms of size, layout and individual taste. It is possible to produce innumerable forms, lines and edges with Quaryl. An added bonus: Even if the outer dimensions are comparably small, a spacious bath interior can be achieved because the casting process for Quaryl allows the production of particularly steep sides. (Villeroy & Boch)

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