Aesthethics: between design and ethics

Aesthethics, an exhibition presented by Ideal Standard in a pop-up showroom in Venice’s historic Arsenale, is all about telling the story of the company and its expertise in producing aesthetically pleasing and sustainable designs while simultaneously preserving or restoring thousands of acres of forests and their wildlife. For over a month, the manufacturer of residential and commercial bathroom fittings will be previewing the collections it will be releasing in the coming months in an open, modern, and ambitious setting that symbolizes its values.

The pop-up itself embodies the meaning of Singular^TM, that is, Ideal Standard’s design approach, which involves looking at the many possibilities and cross-category alternatives for bathrooms, and highlighting how the various collections can be harmoniously combined, from both the aesthetic and functional perspectives.

Highlights among the new products on display are the Alu+ range of eco-sustainable shower systems (available from summer 2023); the contemporary ceramic collection i.life in a glossy new gray finish; and the Solos shower collection, with a minimalist design and smart, easy-to-use controls that create a feeling of wellbeing and relaxation for an all-in-one spa-like experience. The minimalist design and thin edges of the basin, created using Diamatec® technology, convey a feeling of lightness and timeless elegance. The sophisticated and fully integrated mixer further enhances the purity of the design, while water-saving functions and modern technology make Solos a perfect union of design and technology. Also on display is the La Dolce Vita collection, a complete designer line for the bathroom that celebrates the Italian lifestyle.

“For these new collections, we have retained our core identity and built on the rich design heritage of our past, all while producing new and exciting products that are built for the contemporary bathroom,” said Roberto Palomba, Ideal Standard’s chief design officer. “It’s the combination of our design expertise and manufacturing knowledge that lets us take these steps in a sustainable, innovative way.”

 

Aesthethics for the environment

Working with Up2You, a greentech and B Corp certified startup that enables companies to reduce their environmental impact, Ideal Standard has carried out a complete analysis of the environmental impact of the Aesthethics event so as to offset the CO₂ emissions generated. The firm has chosen two projects that focus on forest conservation and restoration to support the fight against climate change. The first, Kariba Forest Protection, is helping to preserve nearly 1.9 million acres (785,000 ha) of forest and wildlife on the southern shores of Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe. The project aims to create a biodiversity corridor by linking four national parks and eight safari reserves, while it also involves numerous community-focused initiatives. The company has also committed to transforming nearly 54 thousand acres (22,000 ha) of cattle pasture into sustainably managed forests for high-value, long-lasting timber products and for sequestering large amounts of carbon dioxide. Both projects are verified by the Verified Carbon Standard and the Climate, Community & Biodiversity Standards.

 

Ideal Standard’s first sustainability report

Last February, Idea Standard published its first sustainability report, entitled Together for a Better Future. The report outlines its plans to achieve carbon neutrality, its approach to waste management and sustainable packaging, and other issues.

One of the first steps the firm has taken to achieve its goals is switching its ceramic plant in Rugeley, UK, to electricity entirely from renewable sources, resulting in a reduction of 2425 tons (2200 t) of CO₂ a year. The company also installed over 3000 photovoltaic panels at its German faucet factory in Wittlich, which will generate 1.2 million kWh of energy per year, and switched to 100% FFS/PEFC-certified sustainable wood for all its furniture. The firm has also embarked on a plan to achieve zero waste to landfill by 2030, as well as a scheme to eliminate all single-use plastic packaging by 2050.

 

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