Hansgrohe USA is pleased to announce the results of its third annual hansgrohe + AXOR Das Design Competition. Open to U.S. architects and designers, the competition celebrates excellence in design, sustainability and installation of hansgrohe® and AXOR® products in built projects. This year’s edition drew a record-breaking number of entries from across the country. After careful deliberation, a jury of established trade and shelter media and Hansgrohe representatives named one winner and three honorable mentions in the Residential Category, as well as one winner and one honorable mention in the Hospitality Category.
Hansgrohe USA President, Erik Christensen, remarks, “It’s been said that good design is in the details. While kitchen and bath fixture installation tends to occur in the later stages of the building and renovation process, selecting the right fixtures is critical. Any superlatively built project, like those in this year’s batch of fantastic Das Design entry submissions, is emblematic of how the details and finishing touches make a difference.”
The jury was in agreement that the submissions were sustainably minded, exceptionally executed, and overall, remarkable. Michael Reiman, a Hansgrohe international project consultant, comments, “With each year, the bar gets set even higher. The 2016 project entries embodied a superior level of excellence, and are indicative of the importance of great design and consistency in every room. It is always a pleasure to see how architects and designers are incorporating hansgrohe and AXOR products so skillfully.”
The 2016 Das Design Competition results are:
RESIDENTIAL WINNER
Firm: PS Modern, LLC
Project: Camino Norte Residence
Location: Palm Springs, CA
Collections: AXOR LampShower by Nendo, AXOR Urquiola, AXOR Starck Organic, AXOR Starck, AXOR Massaud
Description: The Camino Norte project centered on creating a contemporary residence that befits the prestigious neighborhood of Old Las Palmas in the city of Palm Springs. The architects were able to reconfigure the home by making it more functional and usable and, aesthetically, they were able to utilize the beautiful panoramic scenery afforded by the area’s proximity to the base of the St. Jacinto Mountains. As the home metamorphosed into a contemporary modern structure, the firm looked towards hansgrohe/AXOR products to elevate the kitchen and master/guest bathrooms aesthetically, functionally, and environmentally.According to Manuel Frausto, Designer/Owner of PS Modern, LLC, “We view hansgrohe/AXOR products as the perfect marriage between efficiency, innovation, and beauty. As well as the brand’s commitment to water conservation, hansgrohe/AXOR products have a qualitative identity that contributes to the brands’ commitment to craftsmanship. Every product provided under the hansgrohe/AXOR umbrella is timeless in design, not seeming “trendy” or a “fad.” The hansgrohe/AXOR catalogue of products are complementary and harmonious, which prevents stylistic clashes. We relied on the AXOR Starck Kitchen collection to bejewel the grandeur of the chef’s kitchen. The hansgrohe and AXOR brands allowed our firm to create a design moment that melded perfectly with the interior and exterior environment.”
RESIDENTIAL HONORABLE MENTION
Firm: Kuhl-Linscomb Design
Project: Willowick Remodel
Location: Houston, TX
Collections: hansgrohe PuraVida®, hansgrohe Metris® S, hansgrohe Talis® S
Description: A 1963 residence in the heart of one of Houston’s premier urban neighborhoods, the original design was admired for its novel seamless indoor – outdoor living made prominent with floor to ceiling windows. True to the ethos of the mid-century design, the client requested that neither the space nor the furnishings would be superfluous. The same footprint was kept, with the interior deftly reconfigured to optimize circulation and storage, while preserving a seamless connection to the outdoors. The kitchen was relocated from the front to the back, giving full access and view of the back garden and pool. The master bedroom was reduced to a manageable size, producing an optimum plan for the bathroom and spacious his and her closets. The space is finished with the organic design of the PuraVida collection, emoting a soft sensual quality. Functional and design decisions were based on needs, adaptability, and ease of use and maintenance. A tightly developed solution produced a youthful elegance through interesting materials, well designed fixtures and furnishings within a disciplined budget. The LEED certified project was a case study of purpose with poetry.
According to Meedi Hidalgo, ASID, Principal Designer of Kuhl Linscomb Design, “Hansgrohe has always been our first choice manufacturer as it offers a depth of product lines at a range of price points, helping us achieve consistent aesthetics for every project. The organic PuraVida collection is a perfect counterbalance to the linearity of the architecture of the master bath. The hansgrohe Metris S collection with its classic and minimal design complements the rest of the four bathrooms, and the hansgrohe Talis S collection is pure form and function for the utility room. The company’s reputation for quality and innovation ensure product longevity and ease of maintenance. Its commitment to developing products that are environmentally safe and that have water saving features was important as we aimed to achieve LEED certification. In addition, Hansgrohe’s commitment to cradle-to-cradle technology, eco-conscious manufacturing processes, and social responsibility to their employees is what makes us want to continue our enduring partnership with them.”
RESIDENTIAL HONORABLE MENTION
Firm: Intexure Architects
Project: Heijnen-Kavelaars Garden Residence
Location: Houston, TX
Collections: AXOR Starck, AXOR Uno, hansgrohe Metris, hansgrohe Raindance®, hansgrohe Talis, hansgrohe shower components/accessories, AXOR shower components/accessories
Description: Heijnen-Kavelaars Garden Residence is designed to unite elements of landscape and architecture in everyday living. Set on a corner lot, the home wraps around a central pool and garden, opening up views to the garden throughout the house and connecting to terraces on the second floor. The garden and pool act as an oasis in the urban environment, a place of reflection and refuge from the occupant’s busy lives. The colors of water, plants and sky give life to the home and create a personal emotional connection in yellow-green, and blue accent colors throughout. By keeping the fixtures entirely to the hansgrohe + AXOR brands, a unified sense of style was created throughout the home; while at the same time adding differentiation to the baths. In the master bath selections from the AXOR Starck collection were used to create a luxury shower experience. Handshowers were used in all the baths to enhance functionality. AXOR Uno wall mounted faucets also bring elegant simplicity to the home. In the kitchen the signature AXOR Starck faucet helps define the space. The use of Hansgrohe + AXOR contributed greatly to the design of the home – creating a modern home that feels like home.
According to Rame Hruska, AIA, Principal Designer of Intexure Architects, “Design and sustainability were the primary factors hansgrohe + AXOR fixtures were used exclusively throughout the home. The owners, both from Europe, value the aesthetics and functionality of good design which made Hansgrohe a natural fit. Hansgrohe’s product line allowed us to keep secondary areas of the home simple while adding focus to key areas such as the master bath. Signature pieces from top designers such as the AXOR Starck collection add design value and authenticity to the home. Sustainability was also an important factor in the selection criteria of the fixtures allowing the owners to reduce water consumption and maintain performance.”
RESIDENTIAL HONORABLE MENTION
Firm: H3K Design
Project: Swan House
Location: Thunderbird Heights, CA
Collections: AXOR Urquiola
Description: The birth of Thunderbird Heights as a getaway for celebrities and elite began in the 1950’s. Each house custom-built to the specifications of some of the most renowned architects of the time – Howard Lapham, E. Stewart Williams, and William Pereira. The Swan House located on Pecos Road, exemplifies the grand optimism of the period. The walls of glass, cantilevered overhangs and high ceilings are all a testament to the burgeoning mid-century architecture that was exploding across the Valley at the time. The house has been expertly re-envisioned by Howard Hawkes and Kevin Kemper as a statement for the 21st Century while paying homage to its mid-century roots. The house has been reimagined for today’s living–a great room with open kitchen, a media room, a formal dining room, en suite bathrooms with high end hansgrohe fixtures–while still harking the vibe of the original 1960 layout. Hansgrohe was integral in that transformation. The AXOR products were put into every bathroom in the house to guarantee an enduring level of quality that would not be found from a different brand.
According to Howard Hawkes, Principal Designer of H3K Design, “We are longtime fans of Hansgrohe and have always appreciated the high quality and German engineering. The workmanship and reputation of hansgrohe products are in harmony with our design and function standards, but most of all, we love the styling of the products. We are at ease knowing that Hansgrohe is environmentally sensitive and offers the latest in water saving technology, which, here in California, is of utmost importance.”
HOSPITALITY WINNER
Firm: Mark Williams Design Associates
Project: Emerson Sales Center
Location: Buckhead, GA
Collections: hansgrohe Talis S, hansgrohe Metris S, AXOR Starck, hansgrohe Raindance Select S, hansgrohe bath accessories
Description: The Emerson Sales Center project was a re-creation of a kitchen and master bath that can be found in the Emerson Buckhead Condominium development. The Emerson Buckhead embodies the idea of architecture as art. Art that embraces a new way of living; architecture that redefines the interpretation of what a residence should be. Emerson is both ethereal and sculptural–a dramatic vertical form punctuated by elegant cantilevered terraces.
According to Tyrone Higginbottom, Senior Project Manager at Mark Williams Design Associates, “We decided to specify Hansgrohe/AXOR because we believe the products embody the modern, clean, sophisticated and sculptural aesthetic of the building. We also believe the typical buyers at this end of the spectrum will appreciate the quality and detail that goes into hansgrohe products. Having the factory/headquarters of Hansgrohe here in Atlanta was also a big selling point to the developers.”
HOSPITALITY HONORABLE MENTION
Firm: BJS-Assoc. Interior Design
Project: Ronald McDonald House
Location: Long Island, NY
Collections: hansgrohe Metris S, hansgrohe Unica® S, iBox®, hansgrohe shower accessories
Description: The Ronald McDonald House of Long Island is the 100th House of over 300 Ronald McDonald House programs worldwide. Celebrating its 30th anniversary, RMH-LI has been a home-away-from-home for over 18,000 families in the United States and more than 80 countries around the world who are dealing with the pain of having a child undergoing medical treatment at nearby hospitals. Most recently, an initiative called Project Design was added to the House’s rich history where all of the spaces, including bedrooms and several common areas, were completely re-designed to better comfort the 1,000+ families it serves each year. BJS-Assoc. Interior Design imagined and created an environment that was user-friendly and able to withstand the test of time. Every layer was very deliberate as it was designed to provide a serene and holistic spa-like environment in the bathroom. Additionally, a critical aspect was to have a healthy, germ-free climate for every family that lives in the space. This was achieved by utilizing the sophisticated hansgrohe/AXOR collections. The exquisitely designed components offer great design, sustainable materials and building methods that support healthy customers and the planet.
According to Bonnie J. Steves, Principal Designer and Owner of BJS-Assoc. Interior Design, “The hansgrohe/AXOR products hit every category – durability, design, beauty, elegance and simplicity. A major consideration in using Hansgrohe/AXOR was that it is a “Green Company.” Our firm believes strongly in working with companies that are committed to global responsibility. The hansgrohe/AXOR products featured in the RMH-LI – Project Design 2014 not only produced an inviting environment, the care, health, safety and well-being of the clientele was at the forefront of the overall design and functionality. Sustainability and building methods were also critical in the selection of products that are designed to prevent scalding, conserve water, reuse, recycle, and reduce CO2 emissions.”
The Hansgrohe + AXOR Das Design Competition results will be posted online at www.dasdesigncomp.com and shared across Hansgrohe @hansgroheusa and AXOR NYC @axornyc social media channels.