International, 15.3.2011: Palace: clever bathroom concept for homes and hotels
Laufen’s Palace combines timeless design with maximum function – designer Andreas Dimitriadis (Platinumdesign) has revised the core concept of the classic Palace washbasin and translated it into a contemporary design language while Laufen has added washbasins, WCs, bidets, furniture, faucets and accessories. The new large Palace washbasin was presented with the Red Dot Award 2011 for high design quality.
Laufen’s Palace is a truly classic washbasin, in high demand both for hotels and architecturally planned bathrooms thanks to its clear design lines and bespoke sizes. The Stuttgart designer Andreas Dimitriadis (Platinumdesign) has now taken Palace's design language a step further. The new Palace design radiates precision and clarity – and hence a simple modernity. As Andreas Dimitriadis explains, “Palace appeals to users on an emotional and functional level because its gentle fluid surfaces, ample storage space and easy cleaning make it a model of user-friendliness”.
The practical and visual highlight of the collection is the lavish washbasins. They come in four widths – the two largest versions also as double washbasins. All feature an ample bowl organically formed out of the angular ceramic block to merge fluidly with the ample shelf area. The washbasins can be customised in size at the factory and even diagonal cuts are possible – ideal for bespoke hotel and private bathrooms – and where the builder or architect wishes to retain the authentic ceramic look. Before the ceramics are fired at the factory, the cut edges can be concealed by a ceramic covering so that no joins are visible – a technical innovation that again underscores the consummate skill of the Swiss bathroom specialist. A focal point is the optional wide chromed metal band which serves as a hand towel rail and visually echoes the front line of the washbasin. The washbasins can also be optionally fitted with an integrated liquid soap dispenser.
Laufen has also added three single washbasins and one small washbasin to its Palace collection, thus extending the design options in private bathrooms. A distinctive feature is again the fluid transition of the bowl into the surface of the square element, a nostalgic motif reminiscent of the washbasins common in many households long ago. As the washbasins slope backwards, they have an ethereal look, almost as if they were floating in front of the wall. If you were to build them into a furniture element, only a slim, elegant ceramic strip would remain visible. The washbasins are also optionally available with a semi-pedestal or pedestal and chromed hand towel rail. The washbasins are also optionally available without an overflow hole.
A wall-hung, water-saving 4.5/3 litre WC, a wall-mounted bidet and a floorstanding WC combination, a floorstanding WC and a floorstanding bidet complete the line-up. They also communicate the new design language with their softly curved bowls. The ceramic surfaces look stylish and slim, and at the same time are without any hollows, sharp edges or joins to attract dirt, as all fixtures are concealed. Additional WC hygiene is provided by the sealed inner flushing rim.
Perfectly coordinated with Palace is Case, a furniture collection in a timeless minimalist design which was also created by Andreas Dimitriadis. It is available as standard in White, limed oak and anthracite oak graining, and in 38 other colours at an extra charge. Matching mirrors with integrated lighting are also available.
Laufen has also developed new ceramic shelves especially for hotels. They are in the same dimensions as the large washbasins and can be easily mounted and cut to size. They look light and elegant and provide lots of easy-to-clean storage spaced beneath the washbasin.
Palace can also be complemented by the Curveprime faucet collection. Also designed by Andreas Dimitriadis, the faucets with their stylishly curved outlets are ideally matched to the ceramics. There are three types of washbasin to choose from: a timelessly elegant single-lever mixer, a two-handle mixer and a modern wall-hung model to accentuate the architecture. All three versions are also optionally available with an open water flow. Matching water-saving shower and bathtub mixers with thermostats round off this high quality faucet collection.
PR_Novelties 2011 Palace_en_GLOBAL.pdf