KLUDI comes to SA

Trend forecasters have predicted that bathrooms are soon to become the heart of the home. Lucky for South Africans, KLUDI, one of Germany’s top bathroom manufacturers, has just launched in Joburg, Cape Town and Durban at ON TAP stores.

Taking bathroom architecture to the next level, KLUDI offers complete bathroom solutions for all tastes and bathroom styles. Partnerships with design brands like JOOP! and ESPRIT ensure their offerings are always on trend while retaining a timeless aesthetic – crucial for bathrooms fittings, which aren’t usually replaced often.

And while style and quality are paramount to the brand, so is environmental consciousness. Using recyclable materials in their products, KLUDI treads gently on the earth while maintaining reliability and quality of both the designs and their functions.

Other exciting news is that KLUDI has just launched a competition urging professional designers, architects, interior designers and design students to submit unique tap designs that represent products currently available in South Africa. Prizes include an all expenses paid trip to Austria, where the winner will meet with the KLUDI product and development teams.

The judges include Michael Stein, a renowned bathroom designer who has won various international design awards. VISI caught up with Michael to discuss his approach to bathroom design.

How long have you been involved in bathroom design?

My first design that was commercially launched was designed in 1989 for Grohe, when I was still a student – 23 years ago.

In 1993 I founded my design office n&s. My first client was Hansgrohe for whom we designed bathroom products until 2000. For the past 12 years we have been working together with KLUDI. During these 23 years we have created approximately 150 different product ranges.

What makes a great design?

A design is perfect when it touches people and generates desire. At the same time great design must comply with current trends, work very well and have something special. To us KLUDI represents the perfect partner to achieve these goals within the sanitary and plumbing industry.

What do you think design brings to a bathroom?

The bathroom is the most emotional space in a house. It is here that we relax, we look at ourselves in the mirror, here we dress ourselves and apply makeup.

In the bathroom space we make ourselves look and feel good and judge ourselves. The design of the bathroom thus has to meet functional and emotional needs to address all of these purposes. The design in the bathroom will be cosier and more emotional in the future.

Can you tell us more about your own bathroom designs? Which is your favourite and why?

Of course I think that all of our designs are very good… There is something for every taste.

At home I have three bathrooms and they are all different. One bathroom is equipped with KLUDI Esprit, the next with KLUDI JOOP!, and the third is permanently altered. Currently it is equipped with KLUDI Balance.

Personally I always like the most recent design the most. My favourite is the design of the work we are currently busy with and which will be launched at the 2013 trade fair ISH in Frankfurt.

How do you think the SA market will respond to the KLUDI designs?

I am convinced that KLUDI quality represents the best products, technically and functionally. The design offers something for every taste, providing the right solution for each bathroom. KLUDI is successful worldwide, so I hope that the quality, service commitment as well as our designs will also inspire the South African marketplace.

Competitions entries can be sent to Julia@ontap.co.za. One entry per participant is allowed. The deadline for professional designers is 30 June and the deadline for students is 31 July.

More information: www.ontap.co.za