Bathroom, Kitchen and Water Stories | N0 01 2019

BEYONDWATER
SHAPING THE
FUTUREWhy your next faucet will
come from a 3D printerMEET THE
SHOWER EXPERTS
Behind the scenes at GROHE’s
German shower factory

BOLD
MISSION
Architect Marcella Hanschon her fight against plastic

ACCURACY THAT GOES
BEYOND DESIGN.
GROHE PLUS
A crisp, clean design, innovative LED temperature display and awater-saving spray activated by a simple hand wave – experienceaccurate control with GROHE Plus. grohe.com

CONTENTSHAPING THE FUTURE

06

GROHE took on a daunting engineering
challenge. The result: ICON 3D

16

A HISTORY OF INNOVATION
From its earliest beginnings, GROHE
has always taken its forward-thinking
legacy seriously

26
THE SHOWER DREAMSOF TOMORROWGROHE’s plant in the small city of Lahr is
an international manufacturing powerhouse

40
IT’S ALL IN THE DETAIL
BEYOND WATER travels to Albergaria
to learn about an ingenious coating thatmakes GROHE’s products – from faucets
to flush plates – last and shine

BEYOND WATER BATHROOM, KITCHEN AND WATER STORIES 4 | 5

54

56

HIDDENCHAMPIONSIn the bathroom of the future,
the best technology stays
behind the scenes

FUTUREHYGIENE
The simple addition to your toilet
that’s cleaner and smarter? It’s time
to join the bidet revolution

62

THE NEW SOCIAL
With smart, modern design, kitchens
are now a hub for conviviality, bringing
the home together

DRIVING DIGITAL INNOVATIONAs ever more areas of our lives areaffected by digital technology, we
look at how GROHE’s team is working
smart to shape the future of water

88

82
BOLD MISSION
Marcella Hanschis trying to remove
the plastic fromthe oceans andthe misconceptions
from our minds

grohe.com

BEYOND WATER BATHROOM, KITCHEN AND WATER STORIES 6 | 7

SHAPINGTHE
FUTUREFor GROHE, impossible is just a matter of perspective.
So, the technology-minded company took on a daunting
engineering challenge. The result: ICON 3D
TEXT: PHILIPP NAGELS

grohe.com

A precise laser melting metal powder at 1,398° C, layer bylayer, each no more than 0.06 mm thick, finally reveals anentire faucet, slickly designed and fully functioning. It
sounds like an engineer’s pipe dream, but GROHE’s plantin Hemer has made it a reality. 3D printing is one of themost promising manufacturing technologies of the future,and components made by 3D printers have already set
new standards for premium manufacturers in various
industries and use cases.
Now, as one of Europe’s leading sanitary brands, GROHE
has created bathroom faucets produced by 3D metalprinters. Combining cutting-edge technology and provencraftsmanship, the sanitary experts reinterpreted designs
from their Atrio and Allure Brilliant lines, illustrating what
product design in the age of 3D printing is capable of. The
extremely thin walls of the GROHE Atrio Icon 3D and thehollow interior in the silhouette of the GROHE Allure
Brilliant Icon 3D give the flow of water a magical, almost
hypnotic quality. An aesthetic high point, these faucets
are limited edition products.
Pushing the boundaries of what is deemed possible has
always been part of GROHE’s DNA. To manufacture the
Icon 3D models, the company advanced their 3D technology expertise to meet the unique challenges of printing in
metal. Thomas Fuhr, CEO at Grohe AG, explains: “With3D metal-printing, we are ringing in a new era in production ‘made in Germany’. We invest heavily in researchand development, and also in innovative manufacturing
processes in our plants.” These investments are alreadyshowing amazing results.
GROHE’s 3D metal-printing process allows them to manufacture components and products of almost any size andshape. Trying to find the best solutions for customers’
needs is a cornerstone of GROHE’s identity. 3D metalprinting will open up new possibilities to design productsthat let customers interact with water exactly how theywant to. “There is huge demand for customization andindividual personalization,” Paul Flowers, Chief Design
Officer LIXIL explains. “With 3D metal-printing, we will beable to efficiently create products that satisfy our customers’ requests, in small quantities.”
What’s more, keeping the design of the Icon 3D minimal,
refined to just the essence of its shapes, helps to saveresources. This further promotes GROHE’s commitment
to sustainability.
With their two Icon 3D faucets, the brand has started totap into the potential of 3D metal-printed manufacturing.
More products are to come, all adding up to the simple
fact that the future of water will be shaped at 1,398° C.

“Every innovation always starts with a bold vision.
For us, rethinking what is possible is only aquestion of perspective. With GROHE Icon 3D, we
are entering the future of product design as weare now able to create designs that at first appear
impossible. By embracing the still-emerging
technology of 3D metal-printing, we are pushing
the boundaries of design and truly shaping thefuture of water.“Paul Flowers, Chief Design Officer LIXIL

BEYOND WATER BATHROOM, KITCHEN AND WATER STORIES 8 | 9

grohe.com

THE MAGIC IS
IN THE POWDER
Imagine a faucet that redefines everything
you previously thought possible. This is how
the ICON 3D is made.

BEYOND WATER BATHROOM, KITCHEN AND WATER STORIES 10 | 11

grohe.com

“IT’S OUR DUTY TO
EMBRACE PROGRESS“
Newly appointed GROHE CEO Thomas Fuhr
explains what it took to develop ICON 3D,
and what this means for the future of GROHEINTERVIEW: PHILIPP NAGELSPORTRAIT: RAMON HAINDLGROHE is Europe’s first leading sanitary brand
to offer two faucet designs produced entirely
by 3D metal-printers. What were the challenges
you had to overcome when creating the
Icon 3D line?
In order to be a pioneer in the industry and to remain one
step ahead in terms of technology, we invest heavily inresearch and development, and also in innovative manufacturing processes in our plants. With 3D metal-printing,
we are ringing in a new era in “made in Germany” production. We focus on our core business and use our faucets

BEYOND WATER BATHROOM, KITCHEN AND WATER STORIES 12 | 13

to cover the entire value chain, clearly distinguishing us
from our competitors. It is essential to us that we retain
our proven GROHE quality and translate it into a 3D metalprinted product. That’s why we invested a lot of time indeveloping our own printer material: it’s at the heart ofeverything. Our engineers came up with a recipe that wehave now patented. It’s important to understand thatdrinking water is the most carefully protected substancein the world, so the base material for a faucet has to fulfill
many requirements. Plus: these regulations can differ
from country to country. Finding one recipe that fits every
market was one of the key challenges.

grohe.com

How did GROHE figure out how to implement theprocess of 3D printing metal?
We did our due diligence and decided to buy two
TRUMPF 3D printers, which were subsequently optimized for our requirements. And together with TRUMPF,
we will continue to develop new solutions to further push
the boundaries of what 3D metal-printing can mean for
the future of water. We really believe in this new technology. And if we believe in it, we need to manage it andbuild up expertise at GROHE. It’s our duty to embrace
this exciting progress.

“With 3D
metal-printing,
we are ringing
in a newera in ‘madein Germany’
production.”
Thomas Fuhr, GROHE CEO

3D printing is a big trend in manufacturing
technology. Another important trend is personalization. How does the Icon 3D play into this?
At GROHE we always try to look at the bigger trends,
not just in our industry but beyond, and individualizationis one of them. Nowadays, consumers have become
creators. They pay much more attention to detail andwant to create a bathroom that suits their personal
tastes and expresses their personality. In addition, as
the boundaries between the individual living areas are
becoming increasingly blurred, the bathroom opens up
and becomes a living space, turning bathroom products
into furnishing items. Here, 3D printing establishes
exciting opportunities for us. In the future, we will beable to produce even small volumes efficiently, withproducts totally customized to the consumer’s wishes:

BEYOND WATER BATHROOM, KITCHEN AND WATER STORIES 14 | 15

that would not be sensible with traditional manufacturing.
It gives us more flexibility for late stage customization
or even individualized designs. As a first step, we decided
to reinterpret our existing Atrio and Allure Brilliant line toshow how we take product design and the joy of water
to a whole new level.
What other possibilities does 3D metal-printing
open up for GROHE?
One of our brand pillars is sustainability. If you compare
the Atrio Icon 3D and the Allure Brilliant Icon 3D to otherfaucets, it is obvious that we needed less material toproduce them and the process only requires as muchmaterial as is actually needed. It’s only about 50 % ofwhat we use for a conventionally produced model.
3D metal-printing offers a lot of potential to further push
our commitment to sustainability. Besides, 3D metalprinting simplifies the production of prototypes and also
parts of the tool construction process.
How does the Icon 3D also impact the productionof other product lines?
We are continuing to explore how we can use 3D metalprinting technology to improve our current manufacturing
processes. For instance, we use a lot of plastic injection
process for the production of our shower systems. The
productivity of a plastic injection tool depends on how
well the cooling works: that’s what decides thecycle time of the machine. With 3D metal-printing, weare able to get cooling channels closer than we are witha traditional tool. This means a 10 % reduction in cycle
time. As a result, 3D metal-printing can increase productivity while also helping to make production moresustainable because the shortened production process
requires less energy.

GROHE
ALLURE BRILLIANT
ICON 3D
The design of GROHE Allure Brilliant Icon 3D
comes with a hollow interior, producing aseemingly impossible flow of water. These
luxury faucets have been designed andhand-finished down to the smallest detail todeliver high-end aesthetics, premium quality,
and the ultimate in sustainability.

GROHE
ATRIO ICON 3D
With GROHE Atrio Icon 3D, GROHE gives its
classic Atrio a design make-over, transforming
it into an iconic 3D product. The familiar silhouette features an ultrathin structure in the front
view, which turns the flow of water into avisual experience.

grohe.com

A HISTORYOFINNOVATION
From its earliest beginnings,
GROHE has always taken its
forward-thinking legacy seriously
TEXT: GIULIA PINES

Any company that wishes to become a global icon has
to think about the future. What will customers need, andwhat is the best way of delivering this? One big idea is
not enough: to stay relevant, a company has to constantly
reinvent itself. GROHE has been around for over 80 years,
and throughout its history, the brand has always enabled
its customers to enjoy Pure Freude an Wasser by predicting and shaping the future uses of water. GROHE entereda world where cities were rising fast, and forward-thinking
companies were able to grow, evolve, compete, and unite
in early partnerships. More and more people were living
and thriving together, necessitating new concepts forclean water in private homes, businesses, and hotels. So,
ironworks companies like Berkenhoff & Paschedag saw

BEYOND WATER BATHROOM, KITCHEN AND WATER STORIES 16 | 17

their future in sanitary fittings, and small manufacturers
like Carl Nestler and Hans Grohe strove to deliver cleanwater to urban homes. When Friedrich Grohe, son of Hans
Grohe, set out on his own in 1936, acquiring Berkenhoff &Paschedag, the history of GROHE as we know it began –though it wasn’t until twelve years later that the company was christened with the name of its owner. In 1956,
Friedrich Grohe also purchased the Carl Nestler Armaturenfabrik, famous for its pioneering work in thermostat
technology, and GROHE began to release state-of-the-art
sanitary fittings in outstanding quality. Friedrich Grohe wasalways aware of the strong engineering legacy he benefited from: “Made in Germany is a synonym for precision.
Precision is a synonym for GROHE,” he once said.

grohe.com

Collaboration and teamwork are some of the driving forces of success at GROHE – both then and now.

INVENTIVE
BEGINNINGSThe early years of the sanitary industry had seen the introduction of industrialized manufacturing, along with thetwo-handled faucets and automatic flush valves that were
central to home plumbing, but hardly revolutionary. In theensuing years, however, GROHE began to innovate in its
designs, moving away from the basics and towards forward-thinking products that anticipated the consumer’s
needs. These included the 1956 Skalatherm, an automatic mixing valve with integrated thermostat. This so-called“thermostat of the people” offered a high degree of precision in terms of temperature, within seconds – making
it the only mixing valve used in color photo laboratories,
which required temperatures to be absolutely accurate
due to the extreme sensitivity of the films being developed.
While the Skalatherm was solely aimed at the domestic

BEYOND WATER BATHROOM, KITCHEN AND WATER STORIES 18 | 19

market, GROHE proved it understood the worldwide needfor comfort and convenience, when it introduced its onehand mixer on a global scale in 1968, which allowed theuser to adjust water temperature and pressure with a single valve. After expanding its portfolio to include showers
in the late 1970s, GROHE brought Relexor, the first shower
and massage system, to the market in 1983. Wellness andfitness were the buzzwords of the time and GROHE responded to this need with a shower system that massaged
the back with two rotating brushes that could be oriented towards the different parts of the body. What seems
pretty standard now was really a revolution back then –much like other GROHE technologies such as SpeedClean,
CoolTouch or the Movario 360 degree shower head, when
they were released in the following years.

TECHNOLOGIESFOR TODAY ANDTOMORROW
Sensing shifts in consumer behavior along with global
trends of seismic scale – namely urbanization and digitalization – is what drives technological development today.
As consumer needs in terms of homes and water change,
GROHE is still living up to its reputation as a technologically pioneering company. The resulting innovations
aren’t just pushing the limits within a category: they areinventing whole new categories altogether. For example,
the water management system GROHE Sense is giving
water a digital dimension – shutting off the water supply
automatically when it detects water leaks or a burst pipe

as well as transmitting water consumption data, tapping
into the new trend for intelligent life management that increases efficiency on every level. So, as the world aroundus grows ever more connected, and we find ourselves
tasked ever more urgently with the stewardship of our
natural resources, GROHE continues to advance productsthat complement consumers’ interests while addressing
their most pressing concerns. As GROHE CEO Thomas
Fuhr says, it’s “about giving you intelligent, life-changing
and sustainable product solutions and services. That’s
how we at GROHE are really shaping the future of water.”

1956 Skalatherm GROHE transforms the home bathroom with thermostats for the domestic market »»»»»»»»»» 1968 One-Hand Mixer The popular GROHE one-hand mixer is introduced
to a worldwide market »»»»»»»»»» 1973 Kitchen Mixer with Extractable Spout GROHE launches one-hand mixers for the kitchen and adds an extractable spout »»»»»»»»»» 1983 Relexor
A shower and massage system with two rotating brushes – the first of its kind »»»»»»»»»» 1995 SpeedClean Small but meaningful: SpeedClean makes it possible to clean shower nozzles
with just a single wipe »»»»»»»»»» 2002 CoolTouch GROHE makes showers safer: the technology ensures that the thermostat is never too hot to handle »»»»»»»»»» 2004 Ondus GROHE
introduces its first faucet with a digital interface – a true innovation at the time »»»»»»»»»» 2009 Blue & Red Water Systems The launch of GROHE Blue & Red prompts customers to rethinktheir water consumption »»»»»»»»»» 2015 SmartControl SmartControl transforms the shower experience by offering unprecedented comfort »»»»»»»»»» 2016 Sensia Arena GROHE’s first
shower toilet opens up a new dimension of personal care »»»»»»»»»» 2017 Sense + Sense Guard Water gets a digital dimension – with GROHE’s first water management system »»»»»»»»»»
2019 Icon 3D GROHE launches the first 3D metal-printed faucets and shapes the future of design and technology
grohe.com

FROM
SLUDGETO
NUDGE
The new Plus faucet helps to save waterand energy with some smart ideas
One of the latest innovations from GROHE is Plus, a smart faucet whichlets you control your water precisely, thanks to a temperature indicatorthat shows numerical degrees. This not only allows users to carefully
adjust the water temperature as they wish: it also enables them to be moresustainable. How so? The answer comes from behavioral economics andthe idea of “nudging”. The Plus’ LED display makes users aware of theexact water temperature and indicates how often hot water is used unnecessarily. This promotes the responsible use of water as a valuable resourceand saves water and energy. Or, as Richard Thaler, a leading behavioral
economist, says: “If you want people to do something, make it easy”.
Similarly, additional features, such as the water-saving EcoJoy spray andother versions that come with a pull-out or swivel spout, help to get the job
done in less time and thus save even more energy.

BEYOND WATER BATHROOM, KITCHEN AND WATER STORIES 20 | 21

grohe.com

Rainshower 310 SmartActive shower head

The strength of an arc conceals its versatility – and this is thecase with GROHE Plus. Its distinctive, dynamic design draws on
two classic shapes – the square and the circle. Thanks to its useof two surfaces (a circle bisected by a flat face) it works perfectlywith both round and square bathroom fittings. Whether yourpreferred bathroom style is smooth and circular or features crisp
edges and square designs, the GROHE Plus faucet will work
perfectly with GROHE ceramics, showers and accessories,
making the design process seamless. The crisp lines of GROHE
Plus make it an ideal fit with sharp, square ceramics, creating aconsistent look throughout the bathroom. GROHE Plus features
elegantly curved details for a softening effect that is perfectly
suited to complementing round basins and adding a tactile note
to a design concept.

BEYOND WATER BATHROOM, KITCHEN AND WATER STORIES 22 | 23

GROHE SmartControl

SQUAREOR
ROUND?
A MATCH
FOR BOTH
grohe.com

It procont vides eff
rol of wa ortless a
ter flnow a d silkys
nd t
emp mooth p
erature. recision-

SMOOTH LIKESILKMOVE
Faucets with effortless
precision and ultimate
comfort to last a lifetime
Only GROHE faucets operate with an action so smooth we have
dubbed it GROHE SilkMove. And of course, they also offer incredibly
precise control of water flow and temperature to match. The secretis the GROHE cartridges, which are designed and manufactured by
the brand itself. They ensure that using a mixer lever is effortlessly
easy – and will remain that way for decades to come. To guaranteesuch long lifespans, the product is scrutinized thoroughly: during thetest, the faucet is turned on and off 220,000 times. Discover GROHE
SilkMove in the Lineare, Essence and Atrio lines (among others).

BEYOND WATER BATHROOM, KITCHEN AND WATER STORIES 24 | 25

Atrio Its sleek, cylindrical form is thesame diameter from the base to the top,while the spout itself curves in the perfectarc of a semi circle, with every element
complementing each other to create apowerful single visual statement. Atrio isan icon of elegance and precision.
Essence Classic lifestyle, gently
interpreted. For people who are
attracted to clear, visually pleasing
designs, GROHE Essence offers
aesthetics without pretension.
Complete bathrooms in this range
use balanced, modern styling, andcreate space for inventive furnishingideas and innovative technologies.

Lineare In keeping with the concept ofminimalism, Lineare has been reduced toonly the necessary elements to achieve thethinnest possible appearance. The line is basedon a composition of two simple geometricstructures: the cylindrical bodies and thinrectangular forms of the handle and spout
create beautiful harmonious compositions.

grohe.com

THE SHOWER
DREAMS
OF TOMORROWBEYOND WATER BATHROOM, KITCHEN AND WATER STORIES 26 | 27

grohe.com

GROHE’s plant in the small city of Lahr is
an international manufacturing powerhouse,producing innovative shower systems in large
quantities without compromising on quality.
How do they do it?
TEXT: PHILIPP NAGELSOne of the smaller Stäubli robots used in Lahr. The plant’s staff work with both these and other machines to produce around ten million units per year.

BEYOND WATER BATHROOM, KITCHEN AND WATER STORIES 28 | 29

Lahr is one of Germany’s southernmost cities, beautifully
situated between Baden’s vineyards and the Black Forest.
The Mediterranean climate is even warm enough for bananas and lemons to grow. It’s therefore only natural that
this sun-kissed region also produces leading experts inwater technology. After all, it’s here that the world’s mostinnovative showers and shower systems are manufactured
by 750 GROHE employees and their robotic assistants.
In one of the assembly halls, “the big Stäubli” maneuvers
gracefully in and out of a massive injection-molding machine with power and precision. This endearingly-named
robot executes between 60 and 80 different operations
over the course of the one-and-a-half-minute molding
cycle, at a speed too fast for the casual observer to follow.
Indeed, you would need three to four human operators
if you wanted to replicate the movements in exactly
the same way over and over again. Together, the robot,
the molding machine and a second, smaller robot also
from Swiss producer Stäubli (which gives the machines
their names) form one production unit. Working in concert, they build a complex piece of fiber-reinforced plastic. Eventually, it will function as the inner water way for
GROHE’s Rapido SmartBox, the universal solution forconcealed installations. “It’s an engineering masterpiece,”

explains Hans-Martin Souchon, the plant manager. And
this perfect symbiosis of state-of-the-art injection moulding process and unbeaten robotic precision is only “Madein Germany”: Lahr is the only GROHE plant in the world tohandle the “overmolding technology” and guarantees thehighest quality in all circumstances.
It’s cutting-edge technology like this that has propelled
GROHE’s Lahr plant to being a global competence center, with 82 injection molding machines, dozens of robots
and Souchon’s staff of industry experts producing around
10 million units per year, including hand and head showers, shower rails, shower systems, and more.
At the moment, production is ramping up for the Rainshower SmartActive hand shower, a new product in
GROHE’s range of shower systems. The hand shower
comes in a number of designs, varying in size, shapeand color and offers three different spray types. More
importantly, the portfolio’s most innovative hand shower introduces two new features: GROHE SmartTip and
GROHE DripStop (read more about these on page 37).
“These are real innovations that set our product apartin the market,” Mario Fuchs explains. Fuchs is Head ofPlant manager Hans-Martin Souchon and Mario Fuchs, Head of Category Management Showers & Thermostats, say they “always aim to find the best solution”.

grohe.com

BEYOND WATER BATHROOM, KITCHEN AND WATER STORIES 30 | 31

Category Management for GROHE Showers & Thermostats and the link between GROHE’s headquarters in
Düsseldorf and the plant in Lahr. He and Souchon haveplenty of back-and-forth when working together, but inthe end, it’s all about getting the best result: “Our aim isalways the same – to find the best solution,” he says.

This open-door policy is what makes Lahr unique, as
Fuchs, who’s spent a long time in the industry, confirms.
Quality, technology, design and sustainability are a given
at GROHE, he says. “But to put humans first, whether it’s
the customer and their needs or our employees and theirideas, that‘s the special thing about Lahr.”

Putting the customer’s needs first is what guides Souchon
in his daily work. It’s an approach that he brought toLahr when he took over as factory manager a couple ofyears ago. Since then, the plant has added 150 employees and also increased automation significantly. It’s nowonder that production has gone up by 50 % under his
leadership. This is also one of the reasons why GROHE’s
management decided to double down and invest in
the Lahr plant. “Having people and machines working
together, side by side, is one of the keys to our success,”
Souchon says.

Where does this culture of togetherness and fruitfulfriction come from? Fuchs and Souchon instantly agree:“It’s the Baden mentality. People here are very open andfriendly with each other.”Here, traditional German ingenuity meets an unexpectedsense of cordiality, just like how tried-and-true techniques
meet tomorrow’s big new ideas. And most of all, it’s thestarting place for some of the best shower systems in
the world, on their way to delight customers from L.A. to
Dubai to Lahore.

Meanwhile, at the assembly station, the small but complex machine part behind the Smart-Tip controller in the
new SmartActive hand shower is being put together. The“small Stäubli”, a more delicate version of the massive“big Stäubli”, turns three valves the size of a fingertip
into one piece: arduous work for human hands if repeated over and over. But it’s nothing more than a standardized process for a robot that only needs a bit of lubricant
here and there.
However, the human touch is still crucial at several
points in the production process. For one, no GROHE
product leaves the plant without undergoing a rigorous
manual and/or automated quality control process. The
person who oversees this is Susanne Huber, an industrial engineer and project manager for GROHE. At the
moment, 80 to 90 % of her work revolves around the new
SmartActive hand shower line. “It makes me proud tofinally hold this finished product in my hands,” she says.
“So many people were involved in its production.”
Huber is a company lifer, having spent all twelve years ofher studies and career at GROHE. “I really appreciate mycolleagues and our team spirit. We have worked througha lot of challenging projects together.” It’s a community
sentiment that Souchon echoes: “If we manage to have
fun working together, we’ll get things done,” he says.
He’s well known for leaving his office door open in themorning, for employees to come in and talk, blow off
steam or suggest new ideas.

Industrial engineer Susanne Huber oversees the quality control process.
She takes great pride in holding the finished product in her hands.

grohe.com

BEYOND WATER BATHROOM, KITCHEN AND WATER STORIES 32 | 33

RAINSHOWER
SMARTACTIVE
THE PROMISE OF ULTIMATEWATER ENJOYMENTWITH THREE SPRAY TYPES
grohe.com

BEYOND WATER BATHROOM, KITCHEN AND WATER STORIES 34 | 35

The choice is yours: surrounded by a sleek minimalist design,
three different spray types ensure limitless showering fun. With
Rain, Jet or ActiveMassage, the Rainshower SmartActive handshower lets you enjoy water, whether in the form of a mild tingling
sensation on the skin or a stimulating massage. At the center of thehand shower, oval and star-shaped nozzles create the powerful
ActiveMassage spray pattern. Eight other openings create a very
powerful spray, which can feel invigorating right after a workout.
Also, rinsing out shampoo is a breeze with this type of spray. If a
more moderate spray pattern is preferred, the nozzles arranged all
around the base provide the gentle, full-scale Rain spray.
So you can easily switch between different shower experiences, theinnovative GROHE SmartTip technology offers the intuitive option ofswitching between spray patterns. Conveniently placed on the backof the ergonomically designed hand shower, the desired spray modecan be selected with just the touch of a fingertip. Any bothersome
dripping after switching off the hand shower is a thing of the past,
thanks to the GROHE DripStop feature.
The hand shower brackets are just 22 mm in diameter, and, alongwith the hand shower holder, harmonize perfectly with the sleek
SmartActive design. The shower holder can be adjusted flexibly in all directions and in height. The GROHE EasyReach shelfalso offers convenient storage space for shampoo and shower gels. Thanks to the QuickFix feature, the upper and lower
wall brackets can be easily adjusted to align with existing drill
holes. And with the help of TileFix, a tile compensation disc will
no longer be necessary in the future. All these features reduce
installation work to the bare minimum. The all-new Rainshower
SmartActive hand shower is available in two sizes (130 mm and
150 mm) as well as in round and square designs.

grohe.com

THE INNER LIFE OF
SHOWER HEADSHow does your shower actually work? And what exactly does a ketchup
bottle have to do with shower heads? Who better to ask thanthe engineers at GROHE’s research and development department
TEXT: SENTA BESTBEYOND WATER BATHROOM, KITCHEN AND WATER STORIES 36 | 37

You might not realize it, but the inside of a shower headhas much more inside than the outside might lead you
to suspect. Depending on the model, there is a lot ofdifferent technology built in — gears, small moving parts,
valves, seals, rockers, etc. For a shower with just one
spray pattern, the technology is still relatively straightforward: the water shoots through a distribution systemat the control which makes sure that the same amount ofwater flows from the individual jet paths (the “nozzles“).
“You sometimes need to experiment a bit because if you
get your physics wrong, it is entirely possible that water
won’t come out of the shower head in one place, butinstead, air will be sucked in due to hydraulic effects at awrong place,” says Benedikt Mönig, a test and development engineer at GROHE.
But when it comes to the massage spray pattern, the technical design is a bit more complicated. Since it is simulating a massage, the water has to flow at a specific speed
and pressure. Small turbines or paddle wheels with mini
gears are installed in the shower head so that the streamof water flows in different directions. Switching between
different types of jet pattern is also no easy feat, in terms ofthe technology required. Here’s where the seals come in,running over a jet distributor so that the water is distributed
from left to right into different chambers.
The two latest shower technologies from GROHE’s Research and Development department in Hemer, Germany

are GROHE DripStop and GROHE SmartTip. The GROHE
Rainshower SmartActive hand shower is equipped withboth – thus making it the portfolio’s most innovative handshower. GROHE DripStop prevents a shower from continuing to drip after it has been turned off: the clue’s in
the name. On the one hand, this has the advantage thatwater is not wasted unnecessarily and on the other hand,
you do not get wet again when drying off. “The GROHEDripStop principle functions like a ketchup bottle: as soon
as the pressure is relieved, no further drops come out of
the nozzle. In this case, the nozzle is not simply a roundopening, but a membrane that opens and closes under
different levels of pressure,” Mönig explains.
Another highly technical solution inside GROHE’s new
SmartActive hand shower that makes a water aficionado’s life a lot more pleasant is its GROHE SmartTip function. It makes it easy to switch between the different
types of spray pattern intuively – modes can be selectedwith the single tap of a button on the back of the shower. Instead of working with seals, which would require aturning motion, the GROHE SmartTip’s three valves, eachsmaller than the size of a fingertip, move in a tiny flatchamber to distribute the water stream into the different
channels and thus creating the spray patters.
This is all proof that – thanks to Benedikt Mönig and his colleagues – GROHE’s range of shower systems keeps improving, making the act of showering even more invigorating.

grohe.com

BEYOND WATER BATHROOM, KITCHEN AND WATER STORIES 38 | 39

WIRELESS REMOTE CONTROL OF TWO SPRAY OPTIONS WITH RAINSHOWER 310
SMARTCONNECT HEAD SHOWERS: SWITCH BETWEEN OR COMBINETWO SPRAY PATTERNS FOR RELAXATION OR INVIGORATION WITHOUT
HAVING TO REACH UP TO THE SHOWER HEADGROHE ActiveRain
A powerful spray to rinseout shampoo and revitaliseskin and scalp

A combination of
ActiveRain and
PureRain for even more
spray versatility

GROHE PureRain
A soft spray for arefreshing, relaxing shower

With the shower head Rainshower 310 SmartConnect, GROHE offers even more
flexibility when equipping your bathroom and providing a shower experience thatsuits your personal preferences. The shower head (round or square designs areavailable) has a diameter of 310 mm and is connected via Bluetooth® to a batterypowered, round remote control. The wireless control can be placed anywhere you likein the shower, and lets you conveniently select from the shower head‘s spray types.
Thanks to self-explanatory pictograms, it is possible to intuitively choose between the
GROHE PureRain and ActiveRain spray pattern. The digital renovation of the shower:
The shower head can easily be mounted on any existing shower extension arms.

grohe.com

IT’S ALLIN THEDETAILBEYOND WATER travels toAlbergaria to learn about an
ingenious coating that makes
GROHE’s products – from faucets
to flush plates – last and shine
TEXT: MEREDITH JOHNSONBEYOND WATER BATHROOM, KITCHEN AND WATER STORIES 40 | 41

grohe.com

At the Albergaria plant in Portugal, GROHE’s innovative
Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) process is used togive kitchen and bathroom fittings a finish that provides
incredible color and exceptional durability. For almost
15 years, Cláudia Barbosa has headed up Industrial Engineering at the plant; she coordinated the introduction of
the first PVD machine in 2015, and since then has handled
all the projects introducing new colored parts. Today, adedicated team of 136 employees take care of GROHE’s
PVD process. The intricacies of the PVD process and theworkings of the plant itself makes her job consistently
engaging, she explains. “PVD does not only introduce a
new technology: it also brings different and challenging
requirements in terms of production management. It’s
been a really interesting and valuable learning process on
both levels.”

The PVD process produces no waste, making it sustainable and environmentally-friendly in more
ways than one.

There are currently five PVD machines in use in Albergaria. By the end of October 2019 that
number will have increased to seven.

BEYOND WATER BATHROOM, KITCHEN AND WATER STORIES 42 | 43

The alchemy of PVD production, she says, is “difficult to
describe without getting into technical matters”. But themost important thing is the end result, which is wonderfully simple: a very thin, highly adhesive and resistant film
coating. This coating acts as an industry-leading finish forbathroom and kitchen fittings, and is also widely used in
the production of any tool for which wear resistance anddurability is crucial, such as in the automotive, defense
and medical industries. PVD even has a place in the space
program, Barbosa explains: “Anything used in aerospacemust withstand extreme conditions: extremes temperatures, pressure, extreme everything. The properties thatcan be obtained with PVD (hardness, low friction, etc.)
make these coatings ideal for aerospace applications.”Cláudia Barbosa heads up Industrial Engineering at GROHE’s plant in Albergaria, Portugal. She says that with PVD coating, bathroom and kitchen fittings will endure years of use without fading.

grohe.com

What this means for something slightly more modest,
such as a faucet on planet Earth, is significantly higher
resistance to abrasion, scratches and shock. “So,” says
Barbosa, “your bathroom fittings will endure years of use
and cleaning agents, without fading and without wearing off. It’s very long-lasting compared to other kinds ofcoatings.” And in contrast to other coating processes,
such as electro-plating, PVD also produces no waste,making it sustainable and environmentally-friendly inmore ways than one. As Barbosa explains, PVD is “aclosed process, where you add nothing that needs to bedisposed of afterwards.”
Another advantage of PVD, especially for people looking
to individualize their kitchens and bathrooms, is its distinctively high-quality finish, which brings the GROHE Colors
Collection to life in brilliant new ways. The range andvibrancy of the colors offers customers what Barbosa describes as “incredible freedom of choice” when navigating
the delicate balance between design and functionality. And
this is greatly appreciated by customers: GROHE ordered
two additional machines to meet the high demand for PVD,
so seven PVD machines will be running in Albergaria by theend of October.
For Barbosa herself, the best fit for her own taste in
kitchen fittings would be the classic SuperSteel, andfor a bathroom, the sophisticated look of Brushed Hard
Graphite. It all depends, of course, on your own interior design preferences. Whatever they may be, GROHE’s
PVD fittings – designed to withstand the test of time andproduced using environmentally-friendly processes – arenot only sustainable from start to finish, but will continue
to look striking and beautiful even after decades of use.

For sanitary fittings that shine: PVD coating gives GROHE’s shower heads a distinctive high-quality finish.

BEYOND WATER BATHROOM, KITCHEN AND WATER STORIES 44 | 45

grohe.com

FREEDOM
OF CHOICE
Unleash your creativity – what does yourbathroom say about you?

BEYOND WATER BATHROOM, KITCHEN AND WATER STORIES 46 | 47

grohe.com

The faucets in GROHE’s Essence line and a wide range of accessories are available in up to ten colors and finishes including Warm Sunset.

BEYOND WATER BATHROOM, KITCHEN AND WATER STORIES 48 | 49

The bathroom has become more than just a shower, sinkand toilet. Bye bye wet room – hello feel-good oasis:“Home bathrooms are often overlooked, but that perspective has been changing. Bathrooms and toilets used
to be in a completely separate world – purely functionaland disconnected from the rest of the living area. Now,
we are beginning to discover how the bathroom is an
important component of our home aesthetic. The color
theme and design materials used in our home should
also be reflected in our bathroom. We should think of
the bathroom as an extension of our interior world byapplying similar color, materials and even furniture. There
are no conceptual boundaries anymore – the designtransition connects all the rooms in a home,” explains
Gudy Herder, trend expert at Eclectic Trends.

But how can I make my color visiona reality? Three tips from Gudy Herder

effect they have on you. The aesthetics and design ofyour bathroom should not feel separate from your home:they should be integrated, and with the trend heading
towards a personal “me”-space where you can unwind
and disconnect. Ceramics, tiles, and fittings are now
available in a variety of colors and shapes to help you
achieve the look & feel you desire, too.
Your bathroom, your colors
With ten different color and finish options for all touchpoints in the bathroom, the GROHE Colors Collection
offers a range of combinations designed to suit any taste
and any lifestyle. Whatever your signature style, there isa GROHE color to make your vision become reality. Thereis true consistency across every element, from faucets
to showers, right down to the details of accessories andflush plates, making your scheme totally seamless. Nothing is left to chance and the choice is entirely up to you,giving you total freedom to design a bathroom that effortlessly embodies your true self.

1. Ask yourself: The focus now goes back to theperson and where they are in their life. Ask yourself:“how can my bathroom counterbalance a hectic lifeand convey an uncluttered and calming mood? Or do I
need vibrant surroundings that stimulate and energize,
instead?” Color and design can have that impact andgive you the boost you need.

2. Be bold:

Social media has given us many more
opportunities to experience color combinations by end
consumers, which can encourage us to try new palettes.
The more we see, the more likely it is that we will try
bolder combinations we haven’t thought of before. In
addition, color very much reflects our current lifestyle
within every single corner of our home. And the bathroom is no exception. Color theory has always told us
which color triggers which mood. We just have moreaccess to that information now. So, it’s time to find out,
experiment and start using color!

3. Get inspired: Why not create your color story witha simple mood board? Take some time and think about
the mood you would like to reflect in your home. Start
with a style you feel comfortable with. Are you attracted to a more minimal, eclectic, rustic style? Once you’ve
defined the style, see what colors speak to you and the

Gudy Herder is an international trend consultant, keynote speaker, andcertified trainer based in Barcelona, Spain. She helps brands and businesses
anticipate trends and use them to develop products that inspire people.

grohe.com

THERMOWHAT?
How a little wax can make a big
difference to your shower experience
You might not realize it, but a small element
filled with a wax mixture drives the safety engine of your thermostatic shower mixer. It isplaced within the thermostatic cartridge, which
blends hot and cold streams of water and adjusts them according to temperature and pressure fluctuations. This ensures that only waterwith the desired temperature leaves the thermostat. In the event of cold water failure, thethermostat shuts hot water down automaticallyto protect you against scalding.
In GROHE thermostats, a range of advanced
technologies are added to the basic functions tomake your shower experience even more pleasurable. At the heart of Grohtherm thermostats

BEYOND WATER BATHROOM, KITCHEN AND WATER STORIES 50 | 51

is GROHE TurboStat. Its unrivalled sensitivity
means that it mixes water at the desired temperature within a fraction of a second and keeps
it steady for the duration of your shower.
Safety is a priority in GROHE shower systems.
The SafeStop button, set at 38º C, prevents
children from turning up the temperature, and
GROHE’s CoolTouch technology ensures thatthe entire outer surface never exceeds yourpreferred shower temperature – so your thermostat won’t ever get too hot to handle andprotects you against getting burnt on the hot
chrome surface. GROHE SafeStop Plus also
gives you the option to set the shower temperature to max. 43° C.

Everyone’s shower is different, and GROHE iscommitted to providing excellent products tosuit each individual taste. That’s where theSmartControl actuation comes in. With just thepush of a button, you can e.g. switch between
two different shower head sprays and a handshower. Perhaps you’d prefer two sprays at
the same time? No problem, just activate both

buttons and enjoy! By turning the carefully
designed GROHE ProGrip handle, you canadjust each flow from gentle to powerful. Yourpreferred setting is then stored – perfect if you
want to pause your shower or use it next time.
The innovative GROHE SmartControl technology offers spray selection and water control in
one – perfect for every shower, every time.

SMARTCONTROL
grohe.com

GROHE
SHOWERFINDEREUPHORIA 260

TEMPESTA 210

3 SPRAY TYPESGROHTHERM 1000
HEAD
SHOWER”I love that I canswitch between
the head andhand shower.“”I prefer a relaxed rain
shower in the morningand a massaging sprayat night.”

WONDERING WHICH SHOWER SYSTEM IS THE RIGHT CHOICE
FOR YOU? LOOK NO FURTHER THAN THIS HELPFUL GUIDEBEYOND WATER BATHROOM, KITCHEN AND WATER STORIES 52 | 53

BIGGERHEAD
SHOWER”The bigger the shower
head, the better.
Especially when I canchoose between three
types of spray by using
the innovative buttonin the middle of theshower head’s plate.“

EUPHORIA 310
SMARTCONTROLSMARTCONTROL”SmartControl really makes
the difference for me.
Simply pushing and turning
the button allows me toadjust the volume andtemperature of the water,
select my preferred sprayor switch between thehead and hand shower.“

RAINSHOWER 360
SMARTCONTROLTRIO MASSAGE”This is the best headand shoulder massage
I‘ve ever had. Pure luxury!
And yes: I like my shower
heads XXL.“

grohe.com

HIDDEN
CHAMPIONSIn the bathroom of the future, the best
technology stays behind the scenes,
offering you the ultimate in design freedom
TEXT: SAMI EMORY

A sleek bathroom design depends on effective plumbing
technology. But that doesn’t mean you always want tohave that technology on show. The most important thingis that you are able to create a space for your home that
represents your individual lifestyle and feels comfortable, but runs reliably and efficiently, without any fuss.
For your dream bathroom redesign, you need to be able
to trust that the technology that powers your bathroom
fixtures will work silently and steadily, behind the scenes.
In the bathroom, space is the most valuable commodity, and GROHE’s high-tech bathroom solutions are proof
that even small items can have a big impact. Take theRapido SmartBox and Rapid SLX from GROHE, for example. These are concealed technologies that offer state-ofthe-art plumbing solutions for your bathroom, tools thatwill get you ready for the future, with zero compromises.
Installed into the walls behind your bathroom fixtures,
the Rapido SmartBox and Rapid SLX are invisible assets:
flexible, high-performing, and plumber-friendly.
Rapid SLX is a compact frame that offers an innovative
approach to flushing technology. As the perfect fit for all

BEYOND WATER BATHROOM, KITCHEN AND WATER STORIES 54 | 55

rimless toilets, the integrated flow manager makes it easy
to regulate or readjust the strength of the flush to avoid
unwanted splashing and overflowing – in just a few seconds and without demounting it. Another plus: the newframe also has an integrated power management system
and an additional waterway, so if you want to retrofit ashower toilet at a later time, it’s easy and convenient todo so.
The Rapido SmartBox, meanwhile, is the brains behind endless possibilities: one concealed rough-in can be combinedwith single-lever mixers, thermostats or SmartControl.
Plus, the GROHE Rapido SmartBox offers a plethora ofconnection options for even more individuality and more
space in the shower.
GROHE’s Pro solutions are your home’s behind-the-scenes
heroes that make your bathroom ready for the future. The
Rapido SmartBox and Rapid SLX will revolutionize yourbathroom’s functionality, with concealed, adjustable technology that is as advanced as it is user-friendly. These
solutions are invisibly integrated into your bathroom andlet you enjoy water without any lingering worries.

grohe.com

The Worldwide Fund for Nature reported that the equivalentof around 27,000 trees are flushed, or otherwise
dumped, daily. With the easy installation of a bidet seat,household paper usage falls exponentially.

BEYOND WATER BATHROOM, KITCHEN AND WATER STORIES 56 | 57

FUTUREHYGIENE
The simple addition to your toilet that’s cleaner and smarter?
It’s time to join the bidet revolution
TEXT: SUZE OLBRICH

Like many raised in the UK, I used to be perplexed bybidet seats. But today, with the developments intechnology and design, not having one is beginning toseem like a mistake. Really, if there’s a simple, plumbing-free modification that will make your bathroom andyour body more hygienic, comfortable and environmentally-friendly – why wouldn’t you install it?
It’s this logic that has recently seen the bidet seat rocketin popularity in nations such as the USA, where they’ve
traditionally been out of favor due to outdated misconceptions around their purpose and use. All the while, thebidet-friendly majority of the planet looked on perturbed
by northern Europe and North America’s reticence to
get with the hygiene program. After all, the 18th century
French invention has been a legal bathroom requirement
in Portugal since 1975 and 97 % of Italian households
have one. Bidets are ubiquitous in the Gulf, Middle East,
South Asia and South America. And Japan is well known
to be awash with high tech, bidet-integrated toilets. Now,
thankfully, it seems word of the bidet’s many benefits isfinally reaching the rest of us, too.
Even so, as a novice, you might not be ready to plumbin a standalone bidet, or commit to an electric, digitally-controlled, integrated version. Thankfully, following
the runaway success of its Sensia Arena shower toilet,
GROHE have expanded their bathroom range to include
a product designed especially for the bidet-curious: the
GROHE Manual Bidet Seat. This easy, simple addition to
any U-shaped convenience will discreetly invite touchfree hygiene into your life. Not quite convinced? Let’s get

specific. GROHE’s Manual Bidet Seat doesn’t require
electricity, nor any additional plumbing work, since themechanism is based solely on the water pressure fromthe supply line, eliminating the need for a power connection. The durable Duroplast seat is particularly easy
to clean and can be used to quickly and easily upgrade
any conventional toilet without having to replace thecurrent ceramic or connect it to a power source. All
you need to do is swap the toilet seat. The twin showerarm – cleaned prior to every use – ensures that you,your family and guests experience true cleanliness every
single day. Rather than being a morning or evening only
affair, that shower-fresh feeling can be had any time you
wish. And not just wiped clean with toilet paper (which
would never suffice for any other kind of mess) – but
properly clean.
While we’re talking paper, in 2019, there’s little excuse
not to make lifestyle adjustments that benefit the environment wherever possible. The Worldwide Fund for Naturereported that the equivalent of around 27,000 trees areflushed, or otherwise dumped, daily.
With the easy installation of a bidet seat, household paper
usage falls exponentially. As well as saving money in thelong-term, fixing a hygienic, manually-powered bidet seatto your toilet will boost your property’s sustainability credentials. Another plus? Thanks to its slim and flat design,
the bidet seat fits harmoniously into the bathroom and is
the perfect complement to the GROHE Bau ceramics line.
In conclusion: less waste, infinitely cleaner – for everyone.
When will you be joining the bidet revolution?

grohe.com

GROHE MANUAL BIDET SEATSPOTLESSHYGIENE
When you close the bathroom door, what sort ofexperience do you expect? Comfort, convenience, no mess, no fuss and no worries about
hygiene? At GROHE, we agree. That’s why the
GROHE Manual Bidet Seat has been developed.
It offers a whole new standard of gentle personal cleaning that gives complete peace of mind.
Designed to fit your existing WC, the GROHE
Manual Bidet Seat offers targeted personal
cleansing via two separate spray heads.
There is no danger of splashing or overshooting
the bowl, and no water on the floor to clean
up afterwards. The spray can be adjusted for yourown comfort, and hygiene is assured thanks toa cleaning function. The GROHE Manual Bidet
Seat transforms your bathroom into a hygienic,
and convenient personal cleansing zone, where

BEYOND WATER BATHROOM, KITCHEN AND WATER STORIES 58 | 59

you can enjoy gentle cleaning with a relaxing,
tailored experience that you control. Just takea seat and let the GROHE Manual Bidet Seattransport you to a cleaner, more comfortable
place. It’s that simple.
The GROHE Manual Bidet Seat transforms a
simple toilet into a comfortable, hygienic place
where personal care and cleaning are second
nature. Attached to the ceramics of the WC,
the seat doesn’t require electricity – instead, thespray is operated by a side lever powered only
by water pressure, putting the control at yourfingertips for an effective but gentle cleaning
experience. No mess, no splashes, and nostress. Made from hardwearing Duroplast, theseat itself creates an elegant visual addition to
the bathroom.

grohe.com

FIVE
TECHNOLOGIESTHATUP YOUR
BATHROOMHYGIENE
Make cleanliness a priority with these
innovations from GROHE’s Sensia Arena

BEYOND WATER BATHROOM, KITCHEN AND WATER STORIES 60 | 61

A new level of hygiene is on its way and GROHE is at the forefront of thisdevelopment. The Sensia Arena shower toilet is a key part of this shift,redefining what it means to be clean. GROHE’s shower toilet spraytechnology lets you choose spray type, spray strength and positionindividually. Softer on the skin, more soothing, and more hygienic thanwiping with paper. But there’s more to it than your personal comfort –so let GROHE’s Sensia Arena broaden your horizons and maximize yourbathroom’s hygiene.

TripleVortex
Three water outlets create a vortex effect with each flush, covering and cleaning
every corner of the bowl for ultimate hygiene. The powerful flush is exceptionallysilent, thorough, and effective. Despite its power, this flush requires very little water.

AquaCeramicThis innovative surface treatment for the inside of the toilet uses a hydrophilic
layer to prevent residues from sticking to the bowl, and nano-technology stops
limescale from latching onto the surface.

Two self-cleaning nozzles
Spray arm heads are cleaned before and after each use, and the nozzles themselves
are made from 99.9 % anti-bacterial material. When not in use, the shower arms
are safely hidden behind a removable nozzle shutter with antibacterial properties,
also preventing 99.9 % of bacterial growth – so the nozzles stay germ-free at all times.

PlasmaCluster technology *This technology releases positive and negative ions into the toilet that spread inside
the toilet and in the air around it. The ions make germs or bacteria harmless upon
contact by destroying their structure.

Rimless bowl
Corners and crevices are playgrounds for bacteria, especially under the rim of the toilet
bowl. That’s why we’ve created the “rimless” bowl, where every surface is easy to reachand requires minimum effort to keep clean.

* Registered trademark of Sharp Corporation

grohe.com

THE NEWSOCIALWith smart, modern design, kitchens
are now a hub for conviviality,
bringing the home together
TEXT: LUISA ROLLENHAGEN

BEYOND WATER BATHROOM, KITCHEN AND WATER STORIES 62 | 63

grohe.com

Everyone knows that at any social occasion, there’s
always a second, better party happening in the kitchen.
That’s where a small crowd gathers, leaning against the
fridge, sitting on the counters; the vibe is more relaxed,
more intimate. Someone tells a joke while cutting up
limes for cocktails. Another person comes in, looking fora glass and lingers, getting drawn into the conversationthat flows as organically and generously as the wine.
There’s a reason why kitchens are said to be the “heart of
the home.” They are spaces that have an innate ability tobring people together, and to invite warmth and comfort.
But how did a room that is, at its core purely functional, become such a space of connection and intimacy? Ahuge part of it is obviously the fact that kitchens havealways been associated with food, and human beings
tend to really like food. It’s a place where food is stored
and prepared, where tea is brewed, ovens are heated andstomachs are filled. But they weren’t always these cozy,bright, welcoming places. Up until the beginning of the20th century, they were often dark, sooty, and cramped,
and primarily a space of exclusion and isolation, whereservants ate and toiled and later, where women spent
their time.
But as social and cultural norms began to shift, the kitchen
started becoming not just a functional space, but also an
inclusive one, fully integrated into the design of a home.
But increased urbanization in the early 20th century also
led to apartments (and kitchens) becoming smaller as
more families settled into cities. Open kitchens meant
no walls between the culinary and entertaining space,and so the kitchen became a place to flex some serious
design muscles, with its furniture often leading the way
in terms of style for the whole residence.
Domestic architecture was an innovative field, with 20th
century movements like Bauhaus exploring how to teasemaximum functionality and aesthetic appeal out of asmall space. Famous designs such as the Frankfurt kitchen, a forerunner of modern fitted kitchens, used a unified
design concept to maximize space usage and streamline

BEYOND WATER BATHROOM, KITCHEN AND WATER STORIES 64 | 65

the work flow. And with increased attention being paid tokitchens, the materials used needed to be as spot-on as
the design.
Tessa Pearson, an expert on interiors, decor, and architecture, and the author of the recent book Kitchen Living,says: “The kitchen is the hub of the home, and gets ahuge amount of traffic, so finding the right brands andsuppliers is critical: their wares need to be able to standthe test of time.” As the space became more inclusive,
kitchens now are also designed to be welcoming. Insteadof being an afterthought, kitchens often become the starof a home remodel.
Top-notch appliances are therefore just as important as
high-quality countertops or coordinated color schemesin creating a space that’s as practical as it is welcoming. “There is a growing global trend towards developing
kitchen fixtures that take the guesswork out of cooking
so you can focus on what you do best,” Pearson believes.
“From electric cooking ranges to storage solutions thatmeasure the freshness of produce to cut down on foodwaste, designers, brands, and manufacturers have crafted appliance ranges to help your kitchen run smootherand smarter via technology.”
GROHE’s aim is to create kitchens that are both beautiful
and intuitively functional. Incorporating the latest innovations is just one of the ways that GROHE helps home owners to design a kitchen that is equipped to their needs andlifestyle. With the launch of the new SmartControl Kitchenfaucet, GROHE has designed a sleek kitchen faucet withpull-out dual spray features and push valve technologythat allows water flow and volume to be controlled with
one hand – or even just with a wrist or an arm. And thanks
to GROHE’s Prep-station concept, which includes kitchen
essentials like ergonomically designed stainless steel
and composite sinks as well as a waste system that fits
perfectly under the sink, people spend less time washingup and more time on the things that matter – whether
that’s baking cookies with the children, or simply asking“how was your day?”.

ORGANIZINGTHE WE SPACE
ient,
Turning the kitchen into the effic
welcoming room it should be
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to spend some time.

With over a decade’s experience working with luxury
brands, agencies and publishers, London-based journalist
and editor Tessa Pearson writes about design. Focusing on
interiors and architecture, she works for publications suchas The Observer Magazine and Elle Decoration. She is alsoa co-founder of the creative studio Made Good. Her book
Kitchen Living is available from Gestalten (2019).

grohe.com

BEYOND WATER BATHROOM, KITCHEN AND WATER STORIES 66 | 67

GROHE
SMARTCONTROLKITCHEN
grohe.com

BEYOND WATER BATHROOM, KITCHEN AND WATER STORIES 68 | 69

The new SmartControl feature is here to makelife easier. Available on three faucet designs
and in 11 desirable finishes, this innovation
creates a sleek and streamlined silhouette andputs precise control at your fingertips.
GROHE’s SmartControl technology has been winningover hearts in the bathroom. Now, the innovative shower system with “Push and Turn” operation finds its way
into the kitchen. Instead of a lever, you turn the flow ofwater on and off by pushing the button on the spray –great for those moments when you have your hands full,
as it can be operated with just your wrist or elbow. Just
turn the valve to control the flow, changing smoothly froman eco-flow to a powerful jet.

To adjust the water temperature, gently turn the valve on the
body to the left or right. The pull-out mousseur head gives
you great flexibility for rinsing the sink or prepping veg.

grohe.com

GROHE ZEDRAThe reinvention of a legend brings design flair
and innovative handling to your kitchen –the new GROHE Zedra
With an elegantly fluted zinc body, the Zedra offers intuitive, tactile handling and great features suchas lead and nickel-free water flow thanks to GROHE Zero technology. The pull-out spray is ideal forrinsing veg or the sink itself – you can select from three spray types to suit the job in hand – whilewater consumption is reduced by up to 75 % without compromising performance. When you’refinished, it retracts easily into place thanks to the magnetic docking system. The range has a model
to suit every need, from a SmartControl version to a pillar faucet with filter. Available in two finishes,
this sleek, sophisticated faucet puts you in control.

BEYOND WATER BATHROOM, KITCHEN AND WATER STORIES 70 | 71

grohe.com

PULL-OUT SPRAYWITH 3 SPRAY TYPESLAMINAR SPRAY
Clean spray without added air to guarantee
zero splashing
SHOWER SPRAYPowerful spray with added air to rinse
fruits and vegetables
BLADE SPRAY
Very condensed spray with up to 70 % lesswater consumption compared to the shower
spray, effective for cutting through debris

BEYOND WATER BATHROOM, KITCHEN AND WATER STORIES 72 | 73

Put the sweeping, sensual power of water at the center of your kitchen with
the Zedra Touch. Zedra’s distinctive fluted swivel spout and beautifully tactile
lever combine ergonomic design with visual flair. The addition of GROHE’s
EasyTouch technology also enables you to control the water flow with just one
touch. Choose your touch function in the standard version with an integrated
mixing unit or upgrade with an under-sink Grohtherm Micro thermostat for
perfectly controlled warm water with no danger of scalding.

grohe.com

TOOLS FOR A
FUTURE-READYKITCHENGROHE’s kitchenfaucets come with all
the extras you need

BEYOND WATER BATHROOM, KITCHEN AND WATER STORIES 74 | 75

Innovative design is the key to improving the safety and efficiency of a modern kitchen.
GROHE’s kitchen faucets are created to offer a huge range of practical features to makeall kitchens easier, safer and more enjoyable to use. Always striking a perfect balance
between elegance and practicality, these solutions to some of the most common kitchen
problems and risks are addressed by our modern and uniquely crafted faucets – making
sure to truly enhance your everyday life.

Childlock

GROHE’s hot water faucet is built withan innovative child lock that makes scalding small hands
practically impossible. Thanks to GROHE Red’s fail-safe
design, worrying about (and waiting for) boiling kettles inbusy family kitchens is a thing of the past.

FootControl For hassle-free kitchens, why not
go completely hands-free? Faucets like GROHE’s Essence
FootControl can be turned on and off with a gentle tap of
your foot on the base unit, keeping your faucet spotless at
all times.

Magnetic Docking Thanks to a powerful Enhanced water Superior water quality
integrated magnet the pull-out spray head retracts easily
and smoothly to the perfect position every time after use.

EasyTouch

Make multitasking easier with a
GROHE touch-activated faucet like the Minta Touch, whichlets you start and stop the flow of water with a single tap of
your arm, wrist or the back of your hand – anywhere on the
spout. Very useful for busy hands in the kitchen!

SmartControl

Rather than a lever, you startand stop the water flow by pushing the button on the spray
head, which can be operated with just your wrist or elbow.
To control the flow just turn the valve, changing smoothly
from an eco-flow to a powerful jet. To adjust the water temperature, gently turn the valve at the body to the left or right.

Integrated temperature limiter
GROHE’s innovative cartridge with integrated temperature limiter can be individually set to the desired
maximum water temperature in kitchen faucets such as
Eurosmart, meaning you know exactly what the hottest
setting will be, so that you never have to worry about
scalding water surprising you.

directly from your kitchen faucet – saving time, money andthe environment. Effortlessly make great tasting water apart of your kitchen, with a GROHE Blue Pure Filter faucet.

GROHE Zero GROHE Zero’s separate internal
waterways provide guaranteed lead- and nickel-free drinking water. Available on different GROHE faucets like Zedra,
Eurodisc Cosmopolitan, Eurostyle Cosmopolitan, Eurosmart
Cosmopolitan, Eurosmart.

Spray types Put some power into your dailytasks with GROHE’s range of pull-out and professional
sprays. Enjoy an increased operating radius for maximum convenience and different spray types such as
the laminar, the shower or the GROHE Blade spray. Andon many models, like Essence and Zedra, you can also
switch between two or three spray functions for evengreater flexibility.

Professional spray Designed to provide
professional-grade functionality, this head swivels througha full 360° while offering the choice of a fine spray jet ora powerful shower jet – for ultimate flexibility. Available in
the K7 Collection.

grohe.com

PURE
FILTRATIONHow GROHE’s new filter faucets allow you
to take control of your hydration at home
TEXT: NATHAN MA

BEYOND WATER BATHROOM, KITCHEN AND WATER STORIES 76 | 77

Water is a vital resource. While it is a matter of taste in many regions of the world,
there are also countries where the qualityof water taken directly from the faucet is
too poor to be used for every purpose. As
a result, bottled water often replaces tap
water when it comes to preparing coffee
or tea, or getting a quick glass of water toquench your thirst. The new GROHE Blue
Pure filter faucets produce water witha pleasant taste and free from 99.9 % ofbacteria, offering proof that things can bedone differently.
Thanks to the four-step filtration process,the faucet turns into a source of pure water: as water enters the Blue Pure system,
the filter removes coarse particles which
can taint tap water. In a second step,
an ultrafiltration membrane eradicates99.9 % of all bacteria. After that, the tasteof the water is improved by using activated carbon to purify the water, removing
substances such as chlorine, pesticides,
and biocides. The final stage filters out

even the finest remaining particles with
precision – making it the perfect alternative for people who prefer the pure tasteof still water.
And here’s another plus: with the GROHEBlue Pure filtration system, you cansource delicious water from within yourhome – 24 hours a day and seven days aweek. The days of lugging around heavy
bottles of water are finally over. WithGROHE Blue Pure, you need zero bottles:
this is not only refreshingly easy and convenient, but also helps the environment.
After all, the amount of water that goes
into making the bottle could be up toseven times what is inside the bottle. In
other words, it can take up to seven litersof water to produce one single liter ofbottled water.* In addition, it might seem
obvious, but in a world that is slowly sinking in a sea of plastic, the issue is becoming more urgent than ever. So, let’s enjoy
this new sustainable convenience – one
glass at a time.

Hydration is essential to regulating your body temperature | Water
helps strengthen vital organs and tissues | Proper hydration has
clear benefits for your immune system | Water improves yourcomplexion by preventing spots and blemishes | Drinking enoughwater helps you beat dehydration, a common cause of fatigue* npr.org/sections/thesalt/2013/10/28/241419373/how-much-water-actuallygoes-into-making-a-bottle-of-water

grohe.com

BEYOND WATER BATHROOM, KITCHEN AND WATER STORIES 78 | 79

GROHE BLUE PUREFILTER FAUCETS
Add effortless great taste to yourkitchen, with a GROHE Blue Pure
Filter faucet. GROHE Blue filter
technology turns tap water into
great-tasting, filtered drinking
water, removing chlorine andother impurities that can impact
taste. Separate internal water ways
keep filtered and unfiltered water
separate at all times. The GROHE
filter fits easily under your sink andthe tap still offers all the usualfunctions of a standard kitchenfaucet. Put pure, refreshing, filteredwater at the heart of your kitchenwith a GROHE Blue Pure faucet.

grohe.com

WHICH WATER SYSTEMIS YOURS?

Say goodbye to bottled water: perfect taste, straightfrom the faucet, with GROHE Blue Home and kettle
hot water on demand from GROHE Red. Choose the
combination that perfectly fits your needs

GROHE RED
100° C straight from the faucet – kettle hot water on demand
Introducing the new GROHE Red – a beautiful and convenient system thatdelivers boiling hot water straight from the faucet – with SGS-TÜV certified childlock and automatic stop for guaranteed GROHE safety.

BEYOND WATER BATHROOM, KITCHEN AND WATER STORIES 80 | 81

GROHE BLUE
Perfect tasting water straight from the faucet
An elegant, intelligent system that turns drinking water into thirst-quenchingpleasure. How do you prefer your water? Still, medium, or sparkling – it’s all aquestion of taste. GROHE Blue Home has a simple, intuitive mechanism that
boosts your drinking water with carbonation at the touch of a button. For
delicious, freshly filtered, and chilled water – straight from the kitchen faucet!

grohe.com

BOLD
MISSION
Marcella Hansch is trying to remove
the plastic from the oceans and the
misconceptions from our minds

BEYOND WATER BATHROOM, KITCHEN AND WATER STORIES 82 | 83

Photo: Private

Pacific Garbage Screening (PGS) aims to free rivers and oceans from plastic pollution.
PGS was initiated by architect Marcella Hansch, who developed the PGS project triggeredby a key moment in diving.

INTERVIEW: SAMI EMORY

Marcella Hansch has a vision. Actually, she has a few:
she wants to clean up our oceans, repurpose the waste,
and educate the public about sustainability. Her project,
Pacific Garbage Screening (PGS), supported by GROHE,
is designed to tackle all three. With an interdisciplinary
team of scientists, engineers, and marine biologists,
Hansch, a trained architect, is developing a waterborne
platform that will collect plastic waste before it pollutes
the ocean’s ecosystems. Using cutting edge technology,
the plastic will then be processed in the most sustainable way possible. But that is Hansch’s end goal: for now,the project is still in progress, so she’s busy shaping her
vision, spreading the word near and far about her work,and educating the public about how to help the earth andits oceans.
Can you explain what the Pacific Garbage
Screening project is about?
The PGS has two focus points. One is to develop a technology that frees our oceans and rivers from plastic waste
and to recycle it in a sustainable way. And the other is toraise awareness of the plastic problem with public relations work – to get people to change their behavior.
How did you get involved with this project?
It all started six years ago when I was diving. Something
touched my feet and I was shocked because I thought
it was a really big fish. But it was a plastic bottle. That’s
when I realized that there was much more plastic aroundme than fish. From that day on, I started to see plastic
everywhere: on the beach, on the streets, in the supermarket, at home.
How has your mission developed thus far?
From a technical point of view, we started with this huge
vision for the ocean. In discussions with many experts,
especially marine biologists, we realized that the ocean
isn’t actually the best place to start, because this isplastic’s final destination. Once there, a lot of it sinks togreater depths and does harm before it even reaches thegreat garbage patches, where we wanted to collect it. In

grohe.com

The original idea of PGS was based on a floating platform with a special constructionthat can filter plastic particles out of the water. Now, the new focus is on implementing
these platforms in rivers and estuaries.
addition, all of the plastic which floats around is alreadycovered with microbes and other organisms. It’s actually
its own, new ecosystem. Our new focus is to implement
these platforms in rivers and estuaries, because 80 % of
all the land-based plastic which enters the ocean flows
from rivers into the sea, and we want to stop it there
before it can enter the oceans. And getting it all funded isan ongoing challenge of course.
What are your immediate and long-term goals
for PGS?
The short-term goal is to develop a prototype within
the next two years, which we can implement in rivers.
The long-term goal would be not just to implement it inGermany and Europe, but also in Asian and African rivers
from where the most plastic is entering the ocean. We
also want to find a sustainable way to recycle the plastic.
And, of course, to establish a worldwide education program to motivate people to change their lifestyles.
Which technologies could help with processing
the plastic to make sure PGS is as sustainable
as possible?
Because material recycling is not necessarily the best option for degraded plastics recovered from the environment,
we are adding a couple of partners to look into different
possibilities. One would be to make oil out of the plastic,
but that’s not the best way, for me, because ultimately we

BEYOND WATER BATHROOM, KITCHEN AND WATER STORIES 84 | 85

would burn it again. So, this would be just the first step.
Another approach would be to gasify it to get hydrogen,to be used in a sustainable way for energy. Or we might beable to work with microbes that can break down the molecular structure of the plastic and the composite plastic,
which could also upcycle the basic components to create
new products of higher value.
Similar projects have faced insurmountable
logistical and technical challenges in the past.
Why do you think PGS will be different?
I think that ours is different in that we are not just focusing
on the plastic which is floating on the surface, but also on
the smaller particles underneath. And I think we could havea bigger impact on the problem because we’ve adapted
our solution to fit with rivers and estuaries. A lot of projects
also just focus on the technical solutions, but they don’t
think about education. We are also showing people thateveryone can make a change and awareness is the firststep in stopping the plastic problem before it even starts.
How can consumers support you?
Of course, we are always looking for donations to help
us make this project a reality. You can become a member
from just 12 Euros a year: not that much, but it helps us tocontinue our work. Apart from that, everybody can make asmall contribution to sustainability in their everyday life –nothing is too small to make a difference.

grohe.com

Photovoltaic panels are installed on the roof of the factory building in Klaeng, reducing CO2 emissions by
nearly 2,000 tonnes per year.

GROHE
GOES ZERO
Climate change is the biggest challenge of our time.
GROHE is taking a big step towards a sustainable
future and has committed itself to the goal of making
its production carbon-neutral by 2020
It’s in the news every day. Temperatures are constantly
increasing, sea levels are rising and glaciers are melting.
Needless to say, these developments have a major impact
on our lives. Since CO2 emissions are one of the main reasons for climate change, GROHE is now heading towards
an important breakthrough: by 2020, the global brand has
set itself the goal of being the first leading manufacturer
in the sanitary industry to achieve carbon-neutral production. Indeed, GROHE converted all its production plants
to run on green electricity in July 2019. The sanitary manufacturer will offset unavoidable CO2 emissions throughtwo compensation projects – a hydroelectric power
station in India and a borehole maintenance project inMalawi – which are based on extremely stringent criteria, such as the Gold Standard, developed under the aegis
of the WWF. Here, in addition, activities also contributeto sustainable, ecological, and social development in the

BEYOND WATER BATHROOM, KITCHEN AND WATER STORIES 86 | 87

local environment. This milestone is the logical outcomeof the sustainability efforts that GROHE has pursued so
far to conserve resources. In its product lines, the brandinvests in research and development to produce intelligent, sustainable solutions that help to save water,energy, and waste without compromising on comfort andperformance. Plus, GROHE is constantly enhancing thesustainability of its manufacturing processes with material-saving technologies like 3D metal-printing. This attitude also applies to whole production plants – GROHE
has invested in block heat and power plants in two of
their German production plants, in Hemer and Lahr. For
the plant in Klaeng in Thailand, GROHE was also awarded a silver certificate by the German Sustainable Building
Council (DGNB). After the expansion of the factory building in 2017, it’s now the most sustainable production
plant of its kind in Southeast Asia.

HYDROPOWER
FOR CLEAN ENERGY
Himachal Pradesh India
The project is located on the Satluj River between Karcham and Wangtoo in the northern
Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. As a hydropower plant, the project uses the river’s natural
flow to generate energy. Importantly, there is
no reservoir in which the water is temporarily
stored, and so the potential negative environmental impacts of water storage are avoided.
In the underground turbine house, four Francis
turbines are driven by the power of the river water before the water is returned to the river bed
below. All the power generated by the power
plant is fed into the North Indian transmission
grid and replaces conventionally generated
electricity, which mainly comes from coal-fired
power plants.

The hydropower plant uses the river’s natural flow to generate energy.

RESTORING BOREHOLESFOR CLEAN WATER SUPPLY
Dowa & Kasungu Malawi

In Malawi GROHE supports a project that maintains damaged boreholes.

In the project’s districts of Dowa and Kasungu in
Malawi, around half of the population lives without access to clean drinking water. Part of the
problem is that around one third of the existing
boreholes can’t be used, due to wear and tear.
Repairing damaged boreholes improves living
conditions for the people who live there. In addition, the project also makes it possible to set up
financing mechanisms to ensure the boreholes
are maintained in the long-term by the villagers,
thereby guaranteeing that they will be in a usable state for years to come. Most boreholes areoperated by a hand pump. The pumped water isclean and can be consumed without additional
treatment. This also reduces carbon emissions,since water would otherwise be purified using
fuel to boil it.

grohe.com

BEYOND WATER BATHROOM, KITCHEN AND WATER STORIES 88 | 89

ATION
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DRIVING

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As ever more areas of our lives are affected by digitaltechnology, we look at how GROHE’s team is working
smart to shape the future of water
INTERVIEW: PHILIPP NAGELSAs the brand that promises its customers cuttingedge technology and design, GROHE is fully committed to the digital transformation of water.
Indeed, the growth of the Internet of Things means
that, by 2030, the number of sensors and devices
is expected to increase to about 125 billion worldwide, from 21 billion in 2018. But GROHE doesn’tdevelop digital innovations just for the sake of being
innovative: it creates new products and services
that enable new business models with real added

value for the brand as well as its customers andpartners. So, merely connecting faucets to everyone’s WiFi won’t do. However, how GROHE canhelp us make our homes intelligent, and to live
better lives in the real world, as well as the virtualone? Chief Digital Officer Robert Veltrup is here to
explain. He joined GROHE in 2016 with the overarching mission of digitalizing water, starting with ateam of six people. Today GROHE’s digital unit has
around 50 employees. We asked him to tell us more.

Which areas is GROHE focusing on in thedigitalization of water?

you when something is off. Or take the new Blue
Home Connected: a water system that lets you
enjoy filtered, and, if you wish, carbonated water
while allowing you to also track your water consumption. That helps you take care of your wellbeing. If we look a bit further into the future, we see
enormous potential for our Sensia Arena shower
toilet as a part of your health care system – notifying
you and your doctor if it detects abnormalities.

Our three core areas are e-commerce for ourB2B clients, online marketing, and IoT (Internet ofThings). The first two optimize how we use different
digital channels to reach our customers and sharewith them what we call “Pure Freude an Wasser”.
Our IoT team looks a bit more into the future: how
can we help people build better homes with intelligent, digital water solutions? We want to build aplatform that will help to digitally transform living
spaces in the future.
IoT is probably the biggest trend in technology
today. Which smart products does GROHE
currently offer and what are their benefits?
Our focus here is to build intelligent systems that
understand your behavior and help you use water
as smartly as possible. GROHE Sense Guard is one
example: Not only does it detect leaks and burst
pipes, it also studies your usage pattern and alerts

So, it’s not really about connecting every
faucet to the Internet: it’s about introducing
meaningful solutions.
Absolutely. We’re not interested in digitalization forthe sake of it. We have to ask ourselves: what ismeaningful to our customers? And that can alsomean how and when we interact with them. On
average, people renovate their bathrooms twice intheir lives. These are the moments where we want
to be present and make sure we offer them ourbest solutions. We believe that this contact will takeplace in the digital sphere much more in the future.

grohe.com

THE
GROHE
DIGITAL
HOME
Managing your home’s water has never been easier, thanks
to these conncected devices

BEYOND WATER BATHROOM, KITCHEN AND WATER STORIES 90 | 91

grohe.com

gronle-legron

INTELLIGENT LIVINGBY GROHE

2 sprays
GROHE PureRain
and ActiveRain

Switch between or combine two spray types for relaxation or invigoration
with the wireless remote control which can be placed anywhere you like inthe shower.

It takes up to

7 liters of waterto produce 1 literof bottled water *Use the Ondus app to send you notifications when yourwater system’s filter or the CO₂ bottle need to be replaced.
Simply order them within the app for even more convenience. The app can also be used to track water consumption, helping busy households stay on top of how
much they’re drinking – encouraging everyone to follow
a healthy lifestyle.

54 % of Europeans
have already suffered at least
one water damage
incident
GROHE Sense responds to leaks immediately andsends an alert via the GROHE Sense App. You will also
receive a notification when the room temperatureand humidity reach critical upper or lower thresholds.

BEYOND WATER BATHROOM, KITCHEN AND WATER STORIES 92 | 93

ThePlus’ LED display
traces a gradient fromblue (cold) to red (hot)This smart faucet digitally displays the water temperature, increasing comfort and control when washing your hands. The
color-coded display disappears when the water is turned off.

Saves 15 kgof toilet paper every year**

Enjoy paperless hygiene with a shower toilet that can save
multiple user profiles with personalized hygiene configurations.
Use the Sensia Arena app to select your setting.

Touchless– no hands required

The infrared sensor detects hand movement so water
only runs when it’s needed – making hand washing morehygienic and reducing water consumption in the process.

Water damage

gronle-legron

Sense Guard not only detects water leakages and shuts off
water supply automatically when it detects a burst pipe:
it also tracks your water consumption. Receive alerts andautomatic status updates via the GROHE Sense App.

could have been
prevented in 93 % ofcases if a water security
system had been used

* npr.org/sections/thesalt/2013/10/28/241419373/how-much-water-actuallygoes-into-making-a-bottle-of-water** based on a family of four
grohe.com

A SENSE OFREASSURANCE
Make managing your water smarter, safer and more
efficient, with GROHE Sense and GROHE Sense Guard

YOU MIGHT THINK IT WON’T HAPPEN TO
YOU. BUT THE FACT IS THAT EVERY 2ND
HOUSEHOLD HAS EXPERIENCED WATERDAMAGE AT LEAST ONCE.

BEYOND WATER BATHROOM, KITCHEN AND WATER STORIES 94 | 95

GROHE SENSE
The smart water sensor that detects
water leakage in your home
As soon as water touches the base, due to flooding or leaks, GROHE Sense will
send you an alert via the connected GROHE Sense App. The smart water sensor
also lets you remotely track humidity and temperature across individual rooms inyour home. So wherever you are, you’ve got everything you need to feel totally
reassured. From leaks and drips to an overflowing bath or burst pipe, GROHE’s
system registers every last drop. That’s why GROHE’s smart water management
system can also offer peace of mind when it comes to protecting your home frompotentially devastating leaks.

GROHE SENSE GUARDThe smart water control that tracks consumption, detects leaks,
and can automatically shut off the water supply
GROHE Sense Guard gives you even more protection: installed at the mains pipe,
it shuts off the water supply by itself when it detects a burst pipe. It can do thesame if Sense detects water on its underside. After all, it’s good to know yourhome is being looked after – even when you’re not there. Of course, when you’regoing on holiday, it’s wise to leave a set of keys with a neighbor, and switch yourwater off at the stop cock or stop valve if you’ll be away for a while. But to ensure
maximum protection, invest in a GROHE Sense Guard to minimize water damage
before a drip becomes a flood. After all, coming home to a flooded property is anightmare scenario. Repair bills for water damage can easily run into the thousands, and with insurance companies reimbursing an average of just 31 % of thetotal cost, things can get expensive real fast. But there’s an easy fix: with GROHE
Sense Guard, you can check your home’s water supply – even when you’re atwork or on vacation. The smart home has changed the game for homeowners
in so many ways – now, thanks to GROHE, you can have the peace of mind ofalways having your water under control.

grohe.com

GROHE’S SENSE APP
IS THE INTELLIGENTCONTROLLER FOR THE
GROHE SENSE WATERMANAGEMENT SYSTEM
BEYOND WATER BATHROOM, KITCHEN AND WATER STORIES 96 | 97

The GROHE Sense App is a critical tool – it’s
your comprehensive water management assistantthat fits in the palm of your hand
TEXT: SAMI EMORY

A smart home is a stress-free home. The sound ofyour voice or the press of a button is all it takes tovacuum floors, protect your family, or even heat orcool your house on your way home from work. In
a smart home, daily worries and household tasks
become a thing of the past, making way for a safer,more efficient way of life. And a happier one, too:smart technology leaves you free to spend your timeand energy on the things that you’ve never gotten
around to and that have always come second torunning your home. For any home equipped withGROHE Sense and Sense Guard, the GROHE Sense
App is a critical tool – it’s your comprehensive water
management assistant that fits in the palm of yourhand. You could even call it the “digitalization ofwater”, as it offers an innovative way to monitor
your home’s water usage. Ultimately, the app evenlets you protect your home against the dangers
posed by water and the damage it can cause – giving you the peace of mind you need to feel risk-free.

ALWAYS LOOKING OUT FOR YOU
The brains of the state-of-the-art GROHE Sense
system, the GROHE Sense App provides a digitalwater profile of your home via the GROHE Sense
and Sense Guard water management devices.
Wherever you are, the app gives you a total overview of your water consumption. How much water
did you use over a given period, and how much did
it cost? The answer to these questions can now
easily be found in your smartphone. You can even
get an estimate of your consumption of hot water and how much it cost. If worst really comes
to worst and GROHE Sense Guard detects a water leak, you’re notified immediately through the
GROHE Sense App and the water supply is shut
off completely. So, you not only know the ins andouts of your water consumption, but also when to
take measures to really ensure that water is only
giving you enjoyment, and nothing else. Thanks
to GROHE’s new Sense App, your home’s water
management and security are at your fingertips.

grohe.com

DISCOVER THE
WORLD OF GROHE
If you’re looking for ideas or solutions for your bathroom and kitchen, the GROHEMEDIA APP is where you will find your inspiration. This app puts all the latest content
from GROHE – magazines, videos, books, and brochures – at your fingertips. This is just a small
selection of what the world of GROHE has to offer: the perfect addition to your GROHE home.

VISIT US ONLINE AND FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIAFACEBOOK grohe.enjoywater | INSTAGRAM grohe_global
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GROHE AG
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GROHE TEAM
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CREATIVE DIRECTION
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CENTRAL COORDINATION
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EDITORIAL CONCEPT & REALIZATION
Hans Bussert
EDITOR
Josie Thaddeus-Johns
PROOFREADERSupertext
FINAL ARTWORKS
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CONTRIBUTORS
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Bitteschön.tv
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kunst-undwerbedruck.de©11 / 2019 – Copyright by GROHE
No responsibility will be accepted for unsolicited manuscripts and photos received.
Despite careful selection of sources, no responsibility can be taken for accuracy.
No part of this magazine may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever
without written permission. All rights reserved.

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