Our day with Duravit dawned bright and sunny and we excitedly boarded the bus for the short journey to Hornberg and the home of the Duravit Design Centre.
The creation of renowned designer Philippe Starck, the Duravit Design Centre is five storeys of inspiring products and product design and houses the company’s administration departments as well as the most amazing viewing platform. The viewing platform is – literally – the largest toilet in the world and stands proudly at the front of the building. Accessed from the fourth floor, the viewing platform provides a fabulous opportunity to look down on the surrounding views of Hornberg.
We were greeted by our host, Sarah Storz, who took us through a short introduction to the company – the history of the brand and how the company evolved. We then walked through the ceramic factory and it was an eye-opening experience to see just how the ceramic pieces are constructed – from the very beginning of the process with the design and creation of the mould, to the combination of natural products and how precisely they must be poured into the moulds and then monitored.
We were able to follow the process through each quality control stage as the product was de-moulded, finished and prepared for glazing. So much of this process is still done by hand and eye with expert craftsmen to ensure the high quality the company expects.
Following the ceramic factory we spent a long time enjoying the five floors of showroom products and displays. It truly was overwhelming – and very inspiring – to see all the products showcased in the best surroundings.
After a delicious lunch we again boarded the bus to head to Schenkenzell where Duravit has its furniture factory. It is here the gorgeous furniture pieces that go so well with the company’s basins, baths and tapware are designed and created.
A quick bus trip later and we were in Alpirsbach where we were treated to a guided tour through the Alpirsbacher Klosterbräu brewery which was a real step back through time to the earliest brewing days in the region. We also had the opportunity to sample a few beers from the brewery before another amazing meal and a late-night bus back to the hotel.
Thank you Duravit for being fabulous hosts!
For more information visit duravit.com/ or bathe.net.au/
