INTERIORS 57
BATHROOM INNOVATION FOR MODERN LIVING
Tom Farrent of Lecico Bathrooms discusses the latest innovations in bathroom design and technology for modern homes, which put the focus on sustainability, performance, and future-proofi ng.
expectations, and rising costs. A major challenge in sustainable design, therefore, is to fi nd the right balance between sustainable procurement decision-making, performance, aesthetics, and spend. It is also important to ensure that sustainable product and material sourcing is considered in the wider context of sustainability. Sustainable sourcing considers manufacturing location, transportation, quality processes, the environmental impact of production, and product lifecycle. Prioritising sustainably sourced products and materials, produced in world class manufacturing environments, to the highest quality standards, ensures bathroom designs that are built for the long term. Sourcing high quality products, crafted to withstand the test of time, reduces the necessity for frequent replacements – ultimately conserving resources.
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WATER CONSERVATION IN BATHROOMS Bathrooms are among the most resource- intensive areas in a home, consuming signifi cant volumes of water and energy daily. Part G of the Building Regulations currently limits water usage to 125 litres per person per day in residential buildings, but this is set to change. Proposed revisions aim to lower this to 105 and then 100 litres, with a long-term target of 90 litres over the next 10 years. This has led to a wide range of technology innovations that help to reduce environmental impacts and appeal to a growing market of eco-conscious and fi nancially constrained buyers. For developers, meeting future water standards means specifying products that are both effi cient and high performing, which is a balance that needs careful consideration. Taps and showers can be fi tted with fl ow restrictors that maintain pressure while cutting water use. Low fl ow fi xtures can be engineered to use less water without compromising performance
sk developers what challenges they have, and you’ll get familiar answers: legislation, buyer
EMBRACING SUSTAINABILITY IN BATHROOM DESIGN IS NO LONGER OPTIONAL; IT’S ESSENTIAL
too much, resulting in smarter, future-proof choices. Toilets with dual-fl ush systems now deliver as little as and 2. litres per fl ush full and reduced fl ush, a signifi cant reduction in water usage from the old 10 litre models. Even baths can be engineered to use less, not by diminishing size, but by repositioning the overfl ow to lower the fi ll level.
RECYCLED & RENEWABLE MATERIALS Sustainability in bathrooms extends much further than water conservation. Material choice plays a critical role in reducing a building’s environmental footprint, especially when viewed across the full lifecycle.
Innovations in recycled and renewable materials include shower trays, shower panels, walls and fl ooring which are manufactured from recycled
plastic bottles, supporting circularity through end-of-life recyclability. These products are backed by Environmental roduct eclarations , which are standardised, third-party verifi ed reports based on a life cycle assessment C, and provide information about resource consumption, emissions, and other environmental considerations.
SUSTAINABLE SOURCING Over the last decade, bathroom furniture has become much more common in contemporary design. The practicality of using bathroom furniture for storage is appealing, and modern designs often result in the bathroom furniture becoming a feature point for a luxurious design.
Most bathroom furniture units are manufactured using wood. It’s important that specifi ers including housebuilders
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