Hansgrohe USA announces the results of its second annual Hansgrohe + Axor Das Design Competition.
Hansgrohe USA President Erik Christensen remarks: “We are always excited to see where our products have been used. This competition offers us a lens into intelligent and inspiring interiors around the country and demonstrates the range and versatility within the two brands. As a whole, this year’s selection of winners covered the map—from Massachusetts to Oregon and points in between. It’s a testament to our products, to our A&D and trade partners and to our incredible team.”
The jury remarked upon the exceptional overall quality of submissions and the wide range of products specified. Michael Reiman, a Hansgrohe international project consultant, adds: “I continue to be impressed by the caliber of the projects submitted. The applicants were incredibly strong this year and I commend all those that entered. The winning projects gave careful consideration to the use and application of each of the products within the context of their design brief and clients’ needs.”
The winning architect or designer of each category received $2,000 dollars towards products of the Hansgrohe brand and the Axor brand, as well as a round trip to New York to be recognized in front of their peers at an awards ceremony.
The 2015 Das Design Competition results are:
HOSPITALITY WINNER
Firm: Rockwell Group and Ian Schrager Co.
Project: The New York EDITION
Location: New York
Products: Hansgrohe Metris, Hansgrohe Croma and Hansgrohe Raindance collections
Completed in May 2015, New York Edition is a new Marriott International hotel by Ian Schrager in conjunction with interior designers Rockwell Group and I.S.C. Design Studio located in the landmark Metropolitan Life Tower across from Madison Square Park. Built in 1909, the Gothic-style building, which is also referred to as the Clock Tower, was modeled after the Campanile in Venice, Italy. The 700-foot-tall tower is approximately 41 stories, and has four floors of public areas and amenity spaces. Rockwell Group has developed a design concept for the public areas and guest rooms that complements the Clock Tower’s historic interior. A palette of richly textured and natural materials was selected to enhance the juxtaposition of modern and traditional inside the building.
According to Shawn Sullivan, partner and studio leader at Rockwell Group: “Our studio’s initial brief for the public areas and guestrooms was to create an authentic New York residential experience that rethinks luxury as something minimal and essential. Hansgrohe products were used in guest bathrooms, as well as the public area restrooms and spa showers. The Metris collection provided the cleanest and most appealing lines that matched our modern aesthetic. The reputation for solid quality and customer service ultimately convinced the client to go with the brand over other well-established competitors.”
RESIDENTIAL WINNER:
Firm: Intexure Architects
Project: Tripartite House
Location: Houston
Products: Axor Bouroullec, Axor Citterio Kitchen, Axor Uno, Axor Starck, Hansgrohe Metris and Hansgrohe Raindance Collections
Intexure is an innovative design-build architecture studio based in Houston specializing in creating environments for modern life. The name, like the firm, interweaves architecture, construction, interiors and landscape together to create cohesive environments. Founded in 2001, Intexure is a leader in sustainability and has been responsible for a wide variety of project types including residential work ranging from modest dwellings to high-end custom homes along with commercial projects including corporate office space and restaurant hospitality projects.
Set on a busy street in a transitional neighborhood, the Tripartite House helps define a new standard for urban infill with a home that reflects design innovation, quality, authenticity and sustainability. Completed in October 2014, the home is divided into three stacked zones addressing the divisions of public and private space. The owners, both architects, designed the home for their family with young children and located it adjacent to their architecture studio and a series of neighboring homes they have built, combining urban infill with greenspace. The minimalist style is free from clutter; yet the space is designed to handle everyday life. Products, materials, and furnishings were carefully selected to integrate with the interiors and overall design concept of the home.
Hansgrohe fixtures were utilized exclusively throughout the home, including the primary Kitchen, Dining Area Bar, Secondary Kitchen, Utility Room and all six Bathrooms, and were selected on the basis of design, performance, and sustainability. According to firm principals Rame and Russell Hruska: “We are 100 percent Hansgrohe and Axor. The product philosophy of marrying both form and function is in line with the overall design objectives of the home, creating a minimal, clean aesthetic that is also highly functional. The depth of design in the Hansgrohe line allowed us to achieve a unified approach to the interior selections while at the same time adding character to individual spaces. The kitchen utilizes the three faucets in the Axor Citterio line for varying functions at the main sink, prep sink, and bar sink while creating consistency throughout the space. The Master bath harmoniously blends the Axor Starck shower line with the Axor Uno faucets. The wall-mounted Axor Uno faucet is repeated at the powder in a hands-free version. The two secondary baths in the kids’ rooms act as mirrored variations on a theme, one with a shower and the other a bath. The first floor guest bedroom reflects the inspired creativity of the Axor Bouroullec line with the customized sink, showerpipe and faucet. The third floor guest room utilizes iconic Axor Starck design elements. Hansgrohe’s products were also selected to achieve the project’s sustainability goals and ensure quality and reliability. The performance of the fixtures translates to everyday joy in simple acts of touch and experience with water brought to life through design.
The home is undergoing LEED certification and anticipated to receive LEED for Homes platinum rating though use of sustainable materials, energy minded features and water conservation. Materials and products were selected based on their recycled content, life cycle cost, durability and low VOC properties. Hansgrohe fixtures were used throughout the home to meet LEED requirements for low flow plumbing fixtures without sacrificing performance or design. The air injection and technological engineering of Hansgrohe’s products allowed for water reduction while maintaining the emotional experience of water flow.
RESIDENTIAL WINNER:
Firm: ZeroEnergy Design
Project: Family Loft
Location: Boston
Products: Axor Bouroullec, Axor Starck, Axor Starck X, Axor Citterio kitchen collections, as well as Hansgrohe 180 Square Showerhead and Arm and Hansgrohe E & S Soap Dispenser
ZeroEnergy Design (ZED) operates at the intersection of energy and architecture. ZED is committed to innovative and ecologically sensible design and believes technical, financial and aesthetic aspects must be considered holistically. ZED is committed to design homes and buildings that use at least 50 percent less energy than code requirements.
A young couple starting a family in the city purchased this two-story loft in Boston’s South End. Built in the 1990s, the loft was ready for updates. Completed August 2013, ZED transformed the space, creating a fresh new look and greatly increasing its functionality to accommodate an expanding family within an urban setting. The goal for the open living space was to add texture, scale and utility. The kitchen was renovated with custom cabinetry, Hansgrohe and Axor brand fixtures, and reconfigured for increased functionality, with more storage, larger prep surfaces, and new energy efficient appliances. The reconfiguration of the master bathroom opened up the space by pairing a platform shower with a freestanding tub. The open shower, wall-hung vanity, and wall-hung water closet create continuous flooring and an expansive feeling. Hansgrohe and Axor brand fixtures for the shower and sink help to create the desired result: a welcoming space with a calming aesthetic. The addition of interior transom windows readily admits ‘borrowed’ daylight into previously dark interior spaces, including the nursery, entry, and guest bedroom.
According to Stephanie T. Horowitz, ZED managing director, “Functional utility paired with the inherent features of Hansgrohe and Axor brand products make the selection process easy. When searching for a minimalist, modern aesthetic choice (as is typical for ZED), the products are an elegant solution to the ‘modern oasis’ challenge. Durability is also a key decision factor, and requiring a long-term, low-maintenance solution means always seeking high quality. Hansgrohe seems to offer collections with all these attributes for all client price points, flexing to each project’s unique requirements. Distribution is top notch, as we never encounter long lead times, and the company’s environmental position and sustainability commitment are well aligned with ZED’s own philosophy. Hansgrohe’s WaterSense certified products offer exceptionally efficient use of water resources while maintaining the comfort and utility ZED clients require. Sustainability is not an optional checkbox at ZED, but rather a deeply ingrained principle that impacts the attributes of every project.”
HOSPITALITY HONORABLE MENTION
Firm: Kirsti Wolfe Designs Inc.
Project: Tetherow Hotel Lodges
Location: Bend, Ore.
Products: Hansgrohe Metris and Hansgrohe Croma Green
Kirsti Wolfe has been designing interiors for more than 24 years specializing in kitchens and baths. Eleven years ago, Wolfe launched her own business and expanded her firm designing commercial and boutique hotels and spas. The Tetherow Hotel was her first boutique hotel project and she is currently designing its spa and pool.
Completed in May 2014, all 50 bathrooms in this small boutique hotel are equipped with products from Hansgrohe, including the Metris 100 Single Hole Faucet in brushed nickel, the Metris 4 Hole Roman Tub Set in brushed nickel and the Croma Green Showerpipe.
According to Wolfe: “Every detail was considered in the design of the room down to the number of outlets and LED lighting everywhere. We approached the owners about specifying Hansgrohe fixtures in each room knowing the end result would satisfy both the owner and the end user. The one detail the owner wished to see in the design of the showerpipes was longer levers. Hansgrohe understood the request and made the control levers longer for ease of use by all generations. Plus, energy and water efficiency via Hansgrohe’s Air Power feature gives the clientele a true spa experience without the high costs.”
RESIDENTIAL HONORABLE MENTION
Firm: FIELDWORK Design & Architecture
Project: West Hills Residence
Location: Portland, Ore.
Products: Axor Starck, Axor Citterio, Axor Uno, Downpour 180 Showerhead and Hansgrohe Raindance Collection
FIELDWORK Design & Architecture is a multidisciplinary design studio and fabrication workshop specializing in architecture, interior design, and furniture/industrial design and fabrication. FWD// is based in Portland and was founded in 2011 by architects Cornell Anderson and Timothy Fouch and interior designer Tonia Hein. Located in the West Hills above downtown Portland, the West Hills Residence project, completed in 2014, consisted of renovating an existing indoor swimming pool room and transforming an unfinished basement utility and storage area into a wine cellar and changing room. The primary inspiration was the environment in which the project is sited—immersed in the forest, with framed views of Mount Hood and Mount St. Helens.
The goals were threefold: to remodel the lower level of the house into an environment that was timeless and consistent with the original character of the mid-century modern residence, to create a seamless connection to the outdoors, and to create a peaceful and therapeutic atmosphere for the clients and their family and friends to enjoy. The material palette was developed to be timeless and durable, consistent with the existing mid-century modern palette of the upper floor of the house. According to Anderson: “Due to the modern yet timeless aesthetics and durable quality, Hansgrohe and Axor brand products were used in both the pool room and changing room. They were also specified because of their water efficiency, including meeting the EPA’s WaterSense criteria and the use of EcoRight technology.”
RESIDENTIAL HONORABLE MENTION
Firm: Andrew Mikhael Architect
Project: Midtown West Condo
Location: New York
Products: Axor Starck, Axor Citterio and Axor Urquiola Collection
Andrew Mikhael Architect believes that the success of every architectural project comes down to relationships; the relationship of one space to another, of one material to another, and most importantly, the relationships between people. Mikhael is focused first on building a positive and creative foundation with clients.
Completed in December 2013, the project is located at the western edge of Midtown New York. The firm was tasked with integrating three two-bedroom apartments and a 20-foot stretch of hallway between apartments into a grand, flowing home that takes advantage of the surrounding views while giving privacy to the bedrooms.
According to Mikhael: “This bathroom was a highlight of an apartment combination bringing three units into one 3,000-square-foot home. We converted the space of an existing kitchen into this bathroom because of its expansive views of Manhattan, the Hudson River, New Jersey and beyond. The Axor Citterio collection was chosen for the faucet and tub filler because of their strong and sculptural appearance. The Axor brand products’ high efficiency made them an easy choice, environmentally.”
RESIDENTIAL HONORABLE MENTION
Firm: Lake City Loft
Project: Sexy Penthouse
Location: Herriman, Utah
Products: Axor Citterio, Hansgrohe Metris C and Hansgrohe Raindance Collection
Danielle Robinson, the owner of Lake City Loft, has been practicing in the Interior design field for over a decade. Her expertise is working with homebuilders through her design center and showroom in downtown SLC, Utah. Completed in July 2015, the Sexy Penthouse is a hillside rambler built in Herriman. The house features a large deck and windows with scenic views and incredible light. The kitchen and bathrooms are state of the art, and very chic. The square footage was not ample, and working within those restrictions required careful space planning.
According to Robinson: “The kitchen had to be completely re-designed. In the master bathroom, we opted for a combination of freestanding tub/walk in shower ‘wet room’. The Hansgrohe and Axor brands were a natural choice for this model home, which caters to a discerning buyer who will expect finely appointed finishes and lasting quality.
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