In an interview featured in Kaldewei’s latest newsletter, Arndt Papenfuß, Head of Marketing for Kaldewei, talks about the latest design trends as well as challenges in the world of bathroom design.
What do you currently see as the key design trend in the bathroom?
Arndt Papenfuß: “Floor-level showers are currently an absolute megatrend in the bathroom. Kaldewei’s smooth enamelled shower surfaces are popular particularly because they offer an exclusive design language that combines ample room for freedom of movement with barrier-free access for an exclusive shower experience and a better quality of life. Another major trend is digitalisation and networking with innovative technologies and electronic controls to provide increased comfort in the bathroom. Easy and intuitive operation is a must here. The bathroom as a result turns into an oasis of personal wellness in which contemplation, regeneration and entertainment form an intelligent symbiosis.”
Functionality vs design: a conflict or a creative challenge?
Arndt Papenfuß: “Functionality and design are not mutually exclusive – the challenge here is to combine the functional aspect of the form with emotional appeal. This is a focal point of Kaldewei in the development of its products. The Asymmetric Duo bath, for instance, has a timeless elegant design with a generously proportioned rim on one side, which can be used as a seat or for holding bath utensils, but also for the individual positioning of taps. An optical highlight designed to offer the user various options and optimally satisfy individual requirements of functionality and comfort.”
What sets Kaldewei products apart as “made in Germany”?
Arndt Papenfuß: “German design is characterised by a combination of high functionality and aesthetic purism. The visibility and quality of materials are very important in Germany. Kaldewei is an excellent example here: Steel enamel is a natural material which therefore already possesses its own qualities and specific characteristics; all our products are developed on this basis. Kaldewei stands for stringent, functional design with timeless stylistic features that combine with the quality and authenticity of the material to guarantee longevity and sustainability in every respect – it therefore delivers the very quality that makes a design ‘made in Germany’.”
For more information visit www.kaldewei.com
What are your thoughts? Do you agree with Arndt or do you feel the design trend is heading in a different direction?
