Paul Flowers graduated with an honors degree from the University of Northumbria, Newcastle (UK). His multi-facetted international career has included posts both at renowned London-based design studios and at some of the largest international companies. Paul has carried out design projects for, among others, FM Design and IBM (UK), Electrolux (Italy) and Philips (The Netherlands). Since 2005, he has been global senior vice president of design at GROHE (Germany), a leading provider of premium bathroom fittings. 

With the F-digital Deluxe Grohe introduces a super-slim and intuitive ambient controller that orchestrates the new collection of products designed to stimulate the senses. By touching the “dry zone” controller users can choose their own combination of lighting, sound and steam. This is Grohe’s vision of transforming the bathroom from a rational space for cleaning and grooming into an inspiring and emotional Home SPA. 

The Grandera collection is both a homage to an age of grandeur long past and an affirmation of a modern sensibility. Stylistically, the collection can be combined with a wide range of bathroom furnishings, with the added flexibility of two colours – chrome and chrome/gold. Purist, simple and yet extravagant. Clean, square and yet round. Timeless, classic and yet modern wants Grandera reconciles traditional opposites in one harmonious design. 

While all of his work revolves around designing water fittings and showers, Paul Flowers also finds time to envisage new forms of bathroom fixtures such as washbasins and bathtubs. He believes that these objects will increasingly evolve into pieces of furniture, which people relate to as faithful companions. This trend is being accelerated by the fact that the bathroom more and more becomes a living space and people reallocate their living space in line with their actual personal needs and preferences. This has led to bathroom fixtures becoming detached from their traditional wall-mounted positions, using flexible connections to create free-standing islands. In addition, the trend towards urban living will boost demand for smart solutions providing bespoke comfort even where space is at a premium. 

 

 

“The sustainability of the products is an important aspect of tomorrow’s more transient lifestyles,” says Paul Flowers. “So products need to be designed and engineered for longevity and outstanding quality. People interested in using a product for a long period of time will be prepared to invest more in order to be able to enjoy it on a long-term basis.” 

 

In addition, products will need to enable economical use of the precious resource that is water. In this respect an important part will be played by digitisation like Grohe brought it to the bathroom already a few years ago. Modern technology helps create customised water experiences, which people can indulge in without guilt. Modular elements - such as the ones optionally available for the F-digital Deluxe shower concept - serve as interfaces between humans, technology and water. 

 

The bathroom of the future will put a stronger emphasis on human design, which encourages users to form an emotional attachment. The language of form will be globally relevant and regionally anchored at the same time. This trend towards “glocalisation” is already reflected in Grandera, a range of water fittings inspired by global icons of design and architecture. As for the choice of materials, future bathroom modules may well use such details as wooden tub legs or washbasin supports lending a sensual note to the products. Neutral colours - in particular black and white - are a good choice when it comes to preserving the modernity of the product over the long term. 

 

Flexible and mobile, incorporating smart technology and infused with emotional design - the bathroom of the future is taking shape. 

 

Further information about the products of Grohe at: 

www.grohe.com