We are connected to ISH not only by our geographical neighborhood, but above all by an exciting cooperation with the US company Moen – the US market leader in the field of bathroom and kitchen faucets.
A few years ago, Moen asked us to carry out research and analysis in connection with the ISH. We compiled the essential information on all relevant product areas, presented a trade fair and trend report and conducted a design thinking workshop to develop innovative features in the field of digitalization of bathroom and kitchen faucets, as well as contributed our own ideas and concepts.
This year, we were once again at a very busy trade fair and gathered many fascinating impressions. The atmosphere at many booths struck us as very positive. Many of the brands and products in the bathroom sector are developing a charisma that has the potential to influence general interior and design trends across all industries, or at least make them visible and tangible. This is also an important aspect for us as designers. We want to feel, sense, and experience – regardless of whether it’s a faucet with a washbasin or tools.
We noticed color and material concepts that seem to be inspired by a Mediterranean or Asian-Indian environment.
These include, for example, Burgbad’s “Moto” furniture series, particularly the vertical cabinet element, which combines colors like curry, saffron, and chili and reflects current trends in home furniture. These include the structure of the “open” cabinet at the front, the division of the front surface into differently colored rectangles, and the slightly recessed front surface, which creates a delicate edge. We like it!
Only the front design of the vanity unit we would have solved in a different way.
We find the Tricolor washbasin series from Alape particularly sophisticated, with the shades of Olive, Patrol and a yellow tone of Tuscany, which set accents not only in terms of colour but also in their surface quality: shiny on the inside, matt and rough on the outside, the fine, thin wall thickness highlighted by a colour-contrasting ring.
Photo: Alape
The presentation of Hewi’s classics in candy-colored boxes is bright and unmistakable, staging a collaboration with Barbie and a related shade of pink.
Barbie and Hewi, Kaldewei and E15 – the ISH also witnessed the continuation of a trend toward partnerships and collaborations. The list could go on and on: Galeria Kaufhof and Decathlon, Spotify and Uber, Apple and Nike…
It’s about leveraging synergies, fostering innovation, and securing competitive advantages. “You are stronger when you have strong partners.” Or, in the words of Aristotle: The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
Color, material, and finishes—a huge topic at ISH. We’re seeing many approaches to transforming the bathroom into a more homely environment. Burgbad’s “material library” appears almost scientifically structured in a large diagram—from warm to cool, from light to dark. It’s ideal for creating specific moods.
In addition to the diverse color schemes, it’s striking that a wide range of different materials are used in the bathroom, opening up new design possibilities. The thin walls of the Alape metal washbasin series almost resemble singing bowls. Glass bathtubs add colorful accents and create warm and natural moods. Fine, contrasting textures enjoy unwavering popularity. The focus is on mood, atmosphere, fascination, and the joy of the material.
Of course, it’s also about shapes. The variety of design concepts knows no bounds. From cubic, puristic, and sharp-edged to minimalist, modern, and organic, rounded with East Asian/Japanese influences, we see a wide range of individual design concepts. Everything is possible. Everything is there. The focus is on refinement through color schemes, material contrasts, structured surfaces, lighting, and digital displays.
At ISH, however, it’s not just about bathrooms and water, but also about heating and air conditioning. The contrast in the look and feel of the products could hardly be greater, as heat pumps, heating systems, hot water storage tanks, and treatment systems are clearly focused on their functionality and the technology developed for them.
We identify a clear trend toward minimalism and formal reduction. Simple yet striking design elements create a consistently recognizable appearance in the brands’ corporate design. Market leaders such as Weishaupt, Viessmann, and Vaillant, in particular, demonstrate in their current series that they have developed strategies to express their technological expertise through design expertise.
Heat pumps are a big topic. We’ve long wondered why these large devices, often located near the entrance of a house, usually look so clunky and unattractive.
Remko shows that things can be done differently with what we consider to be a very successful design of the front surface – ultimately through one detail, a specific deformation of the slats, which – supported by the shading – brings a flowing and soft aspect into the otherwise puristic geometry of the housing.
With the “Airtena GH8 heating hub”, Hansa also presents what we consider to be a successful, modern/minimalist design that integrates a sound-insulating hood.
The world of tools in Hall 6 once again offered a virtually unsurpassable contrast to bathrooms and heating systems. Multi-part, complex geometries, a crowded, bustling, and vibrant atmosphere. We were pleasantly surprised by the Würth booth, where the cornerstone of the Orsy Bull system, designed by Micha Daniels—a modular transport box for tools and for setting up a mobile workstation—was prominently featured.
The product’s structure and materials are designed not only for exceptional robustness, but also for flexibility, modularity, stackability, and safety. The design showcases the basic shape of the Würth logo and proves to be sustainable and timeless.
