Water-Saving Strategies For The Bathrooms Of The Future

Water-Saving Strategies for the Bathrooms of the Future

Hansgrohe's Green Vision: Beyond Water. Image Courtesy of Hansgrohe Share

Facebook

Twitter

Mail

Pinterest

Whatsapp

Or

https://www.Archdaily.Com/1000859/water-saving-strategies-for-the-bathrooms-of-the-future

"COPY" Copy

As a major current and future challenge, the climate crisis is defining the way architecture is adapting and designing the built environment. Today's actions are key for the development of a sustainable and livable future, in which we need to adjust our behavior while responding to environmental changes. The two most critical changes are the water crisis and CO2 emissions, which have prompted calls for conserving water in an attempt to salvage the resources we still have and reduce our energy consumption required to heat the water. In terms of how this translates to architecture, making good use of natural resources is an essential part of a truly efficient design strategy, which can be incorporated with the creation of new spaces and innovative products in architecture projects.

Working towards the design of sustainable water management for a greener future, Hansgrohe Group has developed multiple faucets, showers and accessories that can save natural resources in bathroom design. As bathrooms are one of the areas that most consume water in homes and hotels, it is important to see them as key spaces to focus on for sustainability purposes.

Rethinking living spaces

As architecture explores its role in reducing environmental impact, it delves into innovative resource management techniques. In this context, Hansgrohe is reevaluating bathroom culture by adapting the functions and innovations of their technologies according to available natural resources.

Considering that a hand shower is one the most carbon-intensive accessories in the bathroom –a 5-minute shower can emit between 90 and 200 grams of CO2 when using a gas boiler– and that its use can generate approximately 1,000 times more carbon emissions than during its production, it is a crucial aspect to prioritize when optimizing bathroom solutions.

Introducing water and energy saving technologies as well as recycled materials aren't only essential for integrating sustainable strategies, but also comes with disruptive features that are defining future aesthetics. Hansgrohe's Green Vision Beyond Water is a concept study that goes beyond the typical sustainability triad of Reduce - Re-use - Recycle. It emphasizes the importance of rethinking personal hygiene and the need for a mental retreat.

Hansgrohe's Green Vision: Beyond Water. Image Courtesy of Hansgrohe Hansgrohe's Green Vision: Beyond Water. Image Courtesy of Hansgrohe

This concept drives future innovations towards incorporating a sustainable strategy. In line with nature, these technologies aim to introduce a concept that features pH-neutral and skin-friendly water, minimizing the need for shower gel and shampoo. The concept also includes illuminated shower heads that display the available water quantity and devices capable of reusing water for toilet flushing. Hansgrohe's concept focuses on designing a warm space where well-being and the environment coexist. It proposes a futuristic lounge chair that offers a multi-sensory relaxation experience. Instead of the traditional long bath in warm water, the 'Sphere' combines light, soothing sounds, and essential oils infused with warm steam to create a new retreat within the home.

The vision of the 'Sphere': it is a place for mental hygiene.. Image Courtesy of Hansgrohe

Turning our habits upside down, Hansgrohe envisions a future bathroom concept with 90% less water consumption, energy consumption and CO2 emissions.

Technological advances for a better future

The integration of technology has proven to be an invaluable ally when designing to minimize the impact of the climate crisis. Focusing on water conservation while maintaining a pleasurable experience, Hansgrohe dives into solutions combining water- and energy-saving technologies. 

Their operations are classified into three categories, which encourage actions based on insights and data.

First, conserving water cycles by ensuring the development of water saving products while maintaining the same shower experience. 

By reducing daily water consumption through controlling water outlets, Hansgrohe's showers with EcoSmart technology only consume nine liters per minute. This represents a reduction of approximately 40% compared to regular Hansgrohe shower heads, while still providing a fulfilling shower experience due to innovative spray types like PowderRain. Regardless of the water pressure, the "precision O-ring" solution is capable of flexibly responding to the water pressure and adjusting the water quantity. Hansgrohe's EcoSmart hand-held showers, use only six liters per minute. According to a study conducted by TRND in July 2022 with 150 clients, 9 out of 10 customers confirm that Pulsify EcoSmart delivers an excellent showering experience with 40% water savings.

Shower - EcoSmart Technologies. Image Courtesy of Hansgrohe PowderRain: Pulsify overhead showers transform water into a light coat of countless micro-droplets. Your entire body is enveloped gently and quietly as you shower. Image Courtesy of Hansgrohe Custom bathroom design that combines natural materials and shades with matte white faucets and a matte white Pulsify overhead shower. Your new oasis of wellbeing. Image Courtesy of Hansgrohe

Bathroom design incorporates a harmonious integration of multiple elements, ensuring that each one actively contributes to sustainable strategies. For lavatory faucets, this technology reduces water consumption of their products to around 5 liters per minute. By incorporating a flow regulator, less water flows out of the faucet. The aerator, which is integrated into the spout, adds air to the water, resulting in a bubbling stream of water.

Faucet - EcoSmart Technologies. Image Courtesy of Hansgrohe

Second, it aims to protect the climate through environmentally friendly strategies, such as reducing the total energy consumption of the built environment. Incorporating hot water flows only when needed, CoolStart technologies prevent plumbing from filling with unnecessary hot water, leading to fewer CO2 emissions. Unlike standard faucets –which have a continuous flow heater, circulating pump, or other heaters that start functioning as soon as you press the lever in the home position– this technology enables the use of energy to heat water only when users actively move the faucet lever to the left.

CoolStart Technologies. Image Courtesy of Hansgrohe Tecturis E : Underlines the purity of water.. Image Courtesy of Hansgrohe

Third, and last, by becoming part of the circular economy, their bathroom solutions are durable, repairable and recyclable, with sustainable packaging and materials.

Integrating technological advances for creating eco-friendly faucets and showers means that they are able to use up to 60% less water than their conventional products. Adjusting to each person's water consumption, customers can calculate their savings through the savings calculator, which can predict every detail of their future bathroom's performance.

From a single source: successful projects with holistic bathroom solutions. Image Courtesy of Hansgrohe

Through transparency and clarity regarding its environmental impacts, Hansgrohe builds credibility with its stakeholders . To this end, they take steps such as publishing 1400 EPDs (Environmental Product Declarations) confirmed by independent parties and participating in company ratings. This data provides architects, builders, and designers with important information for the sustainability outcomes of their future projects. This is particularly important for building projects that are subject to international certification systems such as BREEAM or LEED.

By 2030, we want to convert our entire water-carrying product portfolio to water- and energy-saving technologies. In the future, water-saving products must be part of every energy-efficient renovation and new construction. Says Hans Jürgen Kalmbach, Chairman of the Executive Board, Hansgrohe SE

Hansgrohe's Green Vision: Beyond Water. Image Courtesy of Hansgrohe

For more information on faucets, showers and bathroom accessories, visit the product catalog.

This article is part of the ArchDaily Topics: Water in Architecture, proudly presented by Hansgrohe.

"Water is life and our passion. And water conservation is climate protection. We at Hansgrohe are committed to making a difference in how water is considered in Architecture, with products that save water while maintaining the same showering experience."

Every month we explore a topic in-depth through articles, interviews, news, and architecture projects. We invite you to learn more about our ArchDaily Topics. And, as always, at ArchDaily we welcome the contributions of our readers; if you want to submit an article or project, contact us.

How Much Do Recycled Glass Countertops Cost In 2023?

If you're designing a kitchen, bathroom or other space and want to estimate the price for recycled glass countertops, consider all of the following factors.

Type of Recycled Glass

Recycled glass prices vary by type, and how much you spend on countertop installation will depend, in part, on the type of glass you choose. We've broken down the average price ranges for a few common varieties of recycled glass to help you decide which is right for your project.

Crushed Glass

Crushed glass is the most common and affordable choice for countertops at $55 to $115 per square foot. Crushed glass countertops are made by mixing different shades of reused glass with a resin or concrete base that holds them together.

Sea Glass

Recycled sea glass countertops feature blue and green pieces of glass harvested from beaches. This semi-rare glass makes these countertops a bit more expensive at $90 to $115 per square foot, but many homeowners prefer them for coastal-inspired designs.

Tempered Glass

Tempered glass countertops cost $80 to $135 per square foot. This higher price is due to their greater weight and better durability, which come from a heat treatment applied during the manufacturing process.

Countertop Size

Countertop materials are priced per square foot, so installation costs increase along with the total countertop area. The cost of a recycled glass countertop is typically $60 to $155 per square foot installed, with costs varying by glass thickness and manufacturer.

Labor

Professional labor fees vary between companies, but most countertop contractors charge hourly at a rate of $30 to $80 per hour. Expect costs on the higher end if your design requires custom on-site cuts, complex layouts or extra features. You may be able to save on your remodeling project if you wait to install your countertops in late fall or early winter since these times of year mark a typical contractor's slow season.

Materials

Materials for recycled glass counters cost between $50 and $125 per square foot. Material quality is the biggest factor impacting this price range, though rare glass types, colors and finishes can also increase your final cost.

Related materials include add-on features such as LEDs, which are sometimes used to light glass countertops from below and create specific moods and atmospheres in a space.

Countertop Cutting and Fitting

Custom-fabricated countertops cost more than stock slabs from your local home improvement center. You'll pay more for any custom cutting and fitting including upgraded edges, curved or rounded corners, split levels, slopes, grooves or cutouts for sinks and utilities.

Removal of Existing Countertop

If you're installing a recycled glass countertop to replace an existing countertop, you'll likely pay fees to dispose of it. Countertop removal and disposal can cost between $50 and $275. The exact cost will depend on the size and weight of the old countertop, the disposal method used and whether or not your contractor has to account for plumbing considerations during removal.

Compare Quotes From Top-rated Interior Decorators

Free, No-commitment Estimates

Estal Showcases Innovation And Custom-Designed Bottles At Bar Convent Brooklyn

The premium packaging company expands its catalog of unique bottles through the combination of innovations from its most emblematic collections. The possibility of customizing products is further expanded by combining the most innovative designs from the company.

Estal showcases the versatility of its premium packaging at booth 7A-212 in Bar Convent Brooklyn, one of the main events for professionals in the restaurant, distillery, and beverage industry, taking place June 13th and 14th at Industry City, Brooklyn, NY.

With a turnover exceeding 68 million euros last year (a growth of +74.4%), the company has established a strong presence in the US market through high-level collaborations such as the one with designers from Stranger and Stranger, as well as renowned clients like Diageo, Astraea, Cooper Spirits, Fabrizia Spirits, Pusser's Rum, Jeptha Creed – Rut'N Strut Distillery, Wess Brands, Veritable Distillery, and Maison Marcel.

June 12th – Maximum customization, combination of innovations, design, and exclusivity. These are the attributes that characterize Estal's catalog of distillery bottles presented at Bar Convent from June 13th to 14th in Industry City, Brooklyn, NY.

The distilled spirits industry is constantly evolving, and among the current market demands is the search for a unique and distinctive image in bottles, carefully designed, and the use of sustainable materials. Aware of this, Estal offers its customers the possibility to meet all trends in a single package that each brand can customize from scratch to adapt it to the essence of their product.

Thanks to the endless customization possibilities offered by Estal's catalog, distinctive packaging can be achieved from a standard bottle or by selecting the ultimate customization option through the creation of a unique mold, exclusively designed for the brand. It is tailor-made with the aim of launching a unique and iconic packaging solution in the market.

By applying the DobleAlto® innovation, which features a double height in the base, acting as a podium without increasing the amount of glass required for its manufacturing, the product is elevated, perceived as robust and important, making it stand out.

The Rude collection for distillery excels for its use of Wild Glass, 100% recycled PCR glass. It is a collection of bottles with a Choker neck, naturally rough in finish, with the possibility to complete it with the Corkcoal closure, which combines cork and activated charcoal. These two noble materials, when combined, reduce waste generated in production and completely eliminate the use of chemical bleaches.

For companies seeking packaging with a distinctive character, the Wildly Crafted bottle collection puts imperfections at the center, embracing their uniqueness and promoting the aesthetic appeal found beyond ecological awareness.

Another popular combination of innovations is applying the Wild Glass 100% recycled PCR glass to a bottle with the Doble Alto® finish. This perfect match achieves the perfect balance between beauty, design and sustainability.

Strong presence in the US Market

Estal has gained the trust of prestigious spirits manufacturers in the United States. Diageo North America, with iconic brands like Johnnie Walker, Guinness, or Tanqueray, is one of them, as well as the whisky and vodka producer from Kentucky, Jeptha Creed; the renowned gin brand Astraea; the manufacturer and distributor of premium Caribbean rum, Pusser's Rum; the experts in Italian liqueurs, Fabrizia Spirits; and companies like Wes Brands, founded in 2021, Veritable Distillery, and Maison Marcel.

Estal's presence in the US market also extends to the field of design through top-notch collaborations with agencies like Stranger and Stranger, the Chad Michael Studio, or the designers from CF Napa.

The consolidation of Estal in this market has been one of the reasons that allowed the company to increase its turnover by 74.4% in 2022, going from 39.3 million to 68.6 million euros. The success of its innovations, particularly the versatility offered by the 100% recycled PCR glass of Wild Glass, suitable for wines, spirits, and beauty products, is another impulse for the company's significant growth.

About Estal

Estal was created in 1994 as a specialist in the world of packaging, offering a wide variety of premium packaging solutions for wine, distillery, beer, water and other beverages, gourmet products, perfumery, cosmetics and home fragrances. Basing its philosophy on a commitment to innovation and industrial excellence, the company is a market leader thanks to its work in customising packaging, developing unique models with the most advanced technical innovations and design. Estal has a new e-commerce platform, https://shop.Estal.Com/, which represents another step in the digitization of its services and adds benefits to the shopping experience it offers its customers.

---