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Looking Ahead: Our Bathrooms In 2034
New Study Presents Four Possible Scenarios for the Bathroom of the Future
NEW YORK, Dec. 2, 2014 – Welcome to 2034. What’s your future self
wondering? Perhaps how people live and what lifestyles have become
the norm? What individual rooms in homes look like and what
functions they now serve? Two innovative companies, leading
sanitary fittings manufacturer GROHE, and ceramics maker Villeroy
& Boch along with the cooperation of Zukunftsinstitut, the
influential Frankfurt-based think tank led by futurist Matthias
Horx, conducted a study to determine what the bathroom in
particular might evolve into by 2034.
The result was four futuristic bathrooms scenarios that were derived from an online survey of a representative group of 1,075 respondents as well as an analysis of current international mega trends and social developments. Each of the four models brings an essential aspect of the bathroom into sharp focus.
The result was four futuristic bathrooms scenarios that were derived from an online survey of a representative group of 1,075 respondents as well as an analysis of current international mega trends and social developments. Each of the four models brings an essential aspect of the bathroom into sharp focus.
The Multi-ID Bathroom: Personalized convenience
The new GrohTherm® 2000 is a modern solution for the bathtub
and the shower, combining all advantages of a thermostat with a
perfect water experience.
According to the survey, most people (60 percent) want a bathroom
that meets the needs and expectations of everybody living in the
household. Today, innovations like the new GrohTherm 2000
thermostat with GROHE TurboStat® technology brings users their
desired water temperature in seconds. By 2034, smart home
technology will make this easy to achieve without compromising on
individual convenience.
As soon as a user enters a bathroom, all elements will adjust automatically to his or her favorite settings – from the room temperature to music and colored lighting, from the height of the sink and toilet bowl to their preferred surfaces such as wood, stone or tiles – all of which will be able to be projected onto screens with a high degree of realism.
As soon as a user enters a bathroom, all elements will adjust automatically to his or her favorite settings – from the room temperature to music and colored lighting, from the height of the sink and toilet bowl to their preferred surfaces such as wood, stone or tiles – all of which will be able to be projected onto screens with a high degree of realism.
The Healthful Bathroom: The bathroom as a central point of
personalized health management, where users actively check in on
their physical well-being.
The Multi-ID Bathroom will also allow for the variability of
individual fittings and furniture: the bathtub doubling as a
seating area, the sink becoming a makeup studio and the mirror
turning into a news screen. Depending on which user is present in
the room at the time, certain elements can disappear behind the
wall or rise up from the floor. In addition, many fittings will be
multifunctional, with the hand shower dispensing not only water but
also shampoo, or the shower doubling as a full-body drier,
obviating the need for a towel.
The Multi-ID Bathroom will also be available in semi-public environments like hotels or offices. Everybody will be able to activate their personal bathroom settings anywhere, immediately feeling at ease even when stepping into a bathroom away from home. This will be made possible by cloud-based technologies and the ability of many products to store select features and settings. Bathroom products incorporating digital technology are already a reality. GROHE SPA® F-digital products, for instance, give users fingertip access to their favorite shower temperature or preset water delivery programs at the sink. Touching the pause button suspends the flow of water, perfect for shampooing. Once stored, a setting can be repeated with the utmost precision time and time again.
The Multi-ID Bathroom will also be available in semi-public environments like hotels or offices. Everybody will be able to activate their personal bathroom settings anywhere, immediately feeling at ease even when stepping into a bathroom away from home. This will be made possible by cloud-based technologies and the ability of many products to store select features and settings. Bathroom products incorporating digital technology are already a reality. GROHE SPA® F-digital products, for instance, give users fingertip access to their favorite shower temperature or preset water delivery programs at the sink. Touching the pause button suspends the flow of water, perfect for shampooing. Once stored, a setting can be repeated with the utmost precision time and time again.
The Healthful Bathroom: A Wholesome Haven
The perfect solution for a personalized bathroom experience
available today, GROHE SPA® F-digital products provide fingertip
access to favorite shower temperatures or preset water delivery
programs at the sink.
Almost half of the people surveyed would like to have a bathroom
with health-oriented features. By 2034, the bathroom will become a
central point of personalized health management, where users
actively check in on their physical well-being. Various elements
installed throughout the bathroom will enable this. They will
measure bodily functions and collect vital data that is then fed
back to the user. The toilet will analyze urine, the toothbrush
will collect information from saliva and even blood readings will
be able to be taken in full comfort using non-invasive
methods.
“The bathroom of the future becomes a perfect place for health diagnostics – thanks to what I call ‘active digitality’ i.e. the production of data for further use,” says Paul Flowers, Senior Vice President Design of Grohe AG, adding “The visualization of health data in the bathroom will play an important role. The information can be projected in the form of icons or plain text messages onto mirrors and other surfaces. Even some kind of audio feedback is imaginable.”
The bathroom can also assume the function of a fitness center. An on-screen avatar will motivate us to do certain exercises by demonstrating the routines and awarding us digital badges when we accomplish specific goals. Motivational tunes and even cheers will put a virtual personal trainer in our bathroom.
In addition, the bathroom’s function as a health center will be complemented by web-based technologies that provide online access to the nearest pharmacy, live chats with doctors and recommendations of the best restaurants for healthy and balanced meals.
The bathroom of the future will assist our personal preventative healthcare efforts at a professional level, helping us to feel fit and healthy for longer.
“The bathroom of the future becomes a perfect place for health diagnostics – thanks to what I call ‘active digitality’ i.e. the production of data for further use,” says Paul Flowers, Senior Vice President Design of Grohe AG, adding “The visualization of health data in the bathroom will play an important role. The information can be projected in the form of icons or plain text messages onto mirrors and other surfaces. Even some kind of audio feedback is imaginable.”
The bathroom can also assume the function of a fitness center. An on-screen avatar will motivate us to do certain exercises by demonstrating the routines and awarding us digital badges when we accomplish specific goals. Motivational tunes and even cheers will put a virtual personal trainer in our bathroom.
In addition, the bathroom’s function as a health center will be complemented by web-based technologies that provide online access to the nearest pharmacy, live chats with doctors and recommendations of the best restaurants for healthy and balanced meals.
The bathroom of the future will assist our personal preventative healthcare efforts at a professional level, helping us to feel fit and healthy for longer.
The Zero Emissions Bathroom: 100 percent enjoyment, guilt-free
The Zero Emissions Bathroom where the space has a positive
environmental impact and utilizes natural materials.
Whether it is because of cost considerations or out of concern for
the environment, 75 percent of survey respondents consider energy
efficiency to be an important aspect when it comes to bathroom
remodelling. With environmental awareness continuing to drive
improvements in resource efficiency, bathrooms will have a positive
environmental impact by 2034. This means that they will work
autonomously and in an energy-neutral way. Engineered as
self-contained modules for housing construction, they will no
longer depend on connection to the public water and energy
networks. “Neo ecology” is already one of the most important mega
trends. Sustainability and resource efficiency are a serious topic
in public debate already, as we know, and will be taken for granted
in daily life 20 years from now.
Designed as a small power station in its own right, the Zero Emissions Bathroom will function as a heat recuperator and water treatment facility, for example, by converting wastewater into methane which is then used to generate heat. Actual sewage will be minimized by vacuum toilet technology.
This sustainable mind-set will also be reflected in bathroom design and decor. Natural materials such as wood and clay that are not only hygienic, but also non-toxic and compostable, will make a big comeback. This trend is already evident today, with 63 percent of people appreciating stone, wood and bio-textiles in the bathroom. By the year 2034, these preferences will lead to a design philosophy that elegantly blends sustainability and luxury, ecology and innovation.
At GROHE today, sustainability is a core value prevalent in each stage of product manufacturing and design innovation. For example, all GROHE EcoJoy™ products are systematically designed to save water and energy so that precious resources are conserved. EcoJoy tehcnology reduces water consumption by up to 50 percent and products equipped with it offer the perfect water experience without the need to compromise.
Designed as a small power station in its own right, the Zero Emissions Bathroom will function as a heat recuperator and water treatment facility, for example, by converting wastewater into methane which is then used to generate heat. Actual sewage will be minimized by vacuum toilet technology.
This sustainable mind-set will also be reflected in bathroom design and decor. Natural materials such as wood and clay that are not only hygienic, but also non-toxic and compostable, will make a big comeback. This trend is already evident today, with 63 percent of people appreciating stone, wood and bio-textiles in the bathroom. By the year 2034, these preferences will lead to a design philosophy that elegantly blends sustainability and luxury, ecology and innovation.
At GROHE today, sustainability is a core value prevalent in each stage of product manufacturing and design innovation. For example, all GROHE EcoJoy™ products are systematically designed to save water and energy so that precious resources are conserved. EcoJoy tehcnology reduces water consumption by up to 50 percent and products equipped with it offer the perfect water experience without the need to compromise.
The Personal Time Bathroom: Body cleansing meets inner balance
The Personal Time Bathroom fulfils the wish of a large majority, 71
percent of respondents, for a room devoted to relaxation and “me
time.” Designed and equipped as a hyper-modern private spa, the
bathroom of 2034 helps its users replenish their energy levels and
achieve a balance between mind, body and soul. This experience is
akin to seeing a feature film in a modern 3D theatre. Using audio
equipment, mood lighting, aromatherapy and scenic backdrops
projected onto the walls, the bathroom takes users on
a journey to a different world. Whether it is in the steam
bath or in the hydro-massage tub, your body is being pampered and
your mind is free to roam.
Rather than merely providing a place for passive relaxation, the Personal Time Bathroom places an emphasis on inner growth through meditative experiences and seeks to leverage the therapeutic effects of virtual realities. A variety of digital themes can be selected to convert the room into a yoga studio or a spa lounge and a whole variety of different functions can be programmed to align with users’ biorhythms. An en-suite floor plan allows the Personal Time Bathroom to extend its healing atmosphere into the bedroom, contributing to restful sleep.
Continues Flowers, “Time has become an increasingly scarce resource as people tend to work longer hours and have more stressful days at the office or on the road. This is why the bathrooms in their homes play such a special role in their lives. More often than not, it’s the only room in the house with an actively used lock – it is our last refuge within our own four walls. As such the bathroom continues to evolve from a rational and utility-oriented place for hygiene and body care to a more emotional space where we can enjoy “me time,” lock out the outside world, relax and regenerate.”
Rather than merely providing a place for passive relaxation, the Personal Time Bathroom places an emphasis on inner growth through meditative experiences and seeks to leverage the therapeutic effects of virtual realities. A variety of digital themes can be selected to convert the room into a yoga studio or a spa lounge and a whole variety of different functions can be programmed to align with users’ biorhythms. An en-suite floor plan allows the Personal Time Bathroom to extend its healing atmosphere into the bedroom, contributing to restful sleep.
Continues Flowers, “Time has become an increasingly scarce resource as people tend to work longer hours and have more stressful days at the office or on the road. This is why the bathrooms in their homes play such a special role in their lives. More often than not, it’s the only room in the house with an actively used lock – it is our last refuge within our own four walls. As such the bathroom continues to evolve from a rational and utility-oriented place for hygiene and body care to a more emotional space where we can enjoy “me time,” lock out the outside world, relax and regenerate.”
Evolution in the bathroom
Just as people’s paths through life are becoming less linear and
more multifaceted, the future of the bathroom cannot simply be
predicted along straight lines extrapolated from a variety of
present-day trends. This means that the actual bathroom of the
future will probably be a hybrid of the bathroom universes outlined
above. Multifunctionality will be key as the bathroom adapts to
users’ evolving lifestyles and tomorrow’s flowing transition
between living and working.
Whatever is to come in the bathroom, GROHE is ready to meet the challenge.
Whatever is to come in the bathroom, GROHE is ready to meet the challenge.
About GROHE
GROHE faucet and shower products are distributed in more than 180 countries and represent nearly 80 years of excellence in European design, innovation, engineering and quality.
GROHE America’s headquarters are in the heart of the Flatiron district and houses the GROHE Live! Center, an interactive showroom created for inspiration and collaboration.
The GROHE Group is the world’s leading provider of sanitary fittings, comprises Grohe AG, Hemer; Joyou AG, Hamburg and other subsidiaries in foreign markets. With its global GROHE brand, the GROHE Group relies on its brand values quality, technology, design and responsibility to deliver “Pure Freude an Wasser”. With the JOYOU brand, the Group covers the fast growing Chinese market.
The GROHE Group was purchased by the LIXIL Group and the Development Bank of Japan in January 2014. The LIXIL Group is the global leader in the building materials and housing equipment industry. GROHE and Joyou remain independent within the LIXIL Group. For more information and to find local showooms, please visit www.grohe.com/us. or call 1-800-44-GROHE (47643).
GROHE faucet and shower products are distributed in more than 180 countries and represent nearly 80 years of excellence in European design, innovation, engineering and quality.
GROHE America’s headquarters are in the heart of the Flatiron district and houses the GROHE Live! Center, an interactive showroom created for inspiration and collaboration.
The GROHE Group is the world’s leading provider of sanitary fittings, comprises Grohe AG, Hemer; Joyou AG, Hamburg and other subsidiaries in foreign markets. With its global GROHE brand, the GROHE Group relies on its brand values quality, technology, design and responsibility to deliver “Pure Freude an Wasser”. With the JOYOU brand, the Group covers the fast growing Chinese market.
The GROHE Group was purchased by the LIXIL Group and the Development Bank of Japan in January 2014. The LIXIL Group is the global leader in the building materials and housing equipment industry. GROHE and Joyou remain independent within the LIXIL Group. For more information and to find local showooms, please visit www.grohe.com/us. or call 1-800-44-GROHE (47643).
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