Esher, October 2010. Hosted at the home of English cricket, Lord’s Cricket Ground in London, the annual ‘Designer Awards’ luncheon was held on Tuesday 5th October. Organised by Designer Magazine, the event celebrated excellence in professional residential design and was attended by an audience of around 400 interior designers, manufacturers, customers and press from the kitchen and bathroom industry.
Philippe Grohe, Axor Brand Manager, was the subject of a very special accolade, receiving the award for ‘Services to the Industry’. This distinguished prize was presented in recognition of his expertise and track record in turning good design principles into influential products, and subsequent commercial success.
Designer’s editor, Martin Allen-Smith, announced the award and commented, “This year’s winner is a man who has – throughout his time as head of one of Europe’s biggest bathroom brands – understood the critical role that design has to play not only in delivering for customers, but in ensuring commercial success. Over the last 10 years in his current role, he has cultivated close working relationships with many of the world’s most important designers, including Philippe Starck, Patricia Urquiola, Antonio Citterio and Jean-Marie Massaud. Through this work, he has earned his brand recognition as one of the leading high-end design-oriented companies“.
‘Services to the industry’ is a relatively new award with Philippe Grohe being the third recipient. Notably, he is the first winner from outside of the UK – a fact which illustrates the international acclaim that has been achieved by the Axor brand and the successful contribution of Philippe Grohe personally in the field of international bathroom design.
“Axor stands for design philosophies, for ideas of how to use and design the bathroom of the 21st century,” says Philippe Grohe in accepting the award. “These visions originate in a spirit of open, creative dialogue with designers and architects. In the process, we want to leave an imprint in the industry, and this is why we need all actors of the bathroom to understand and support the implementation of ideas. With this award, you confirm that we have probably been successful in this respect. I feel personally honoured and wish to thank you cordially for this. We at Axor consider this award a source of encouragement to continue making life in the bathroom more beautiful in the future.”
Due to a prior commitment at a design school in the Netherlands, Philippe was unable to collect the award in person, so it was accepted on his behalf by Iain McKinlay, Hansgrohe UK Managing Director.
Hansgrohe also received a Gold Product Innovation Award at the event for the Raindance Showerpipe EcoSmart S180 AIR. The judges were impressed by the slimline, discreet design and Designer magazine reported, “It delivers massively on performance whilst keeping water usage to a minimum.”
About Hansgrohe
Introducing Hansgrohe
Whether showering, bathing or washing your hands, you will immediately notice the excellent quality of our products. But who is behind the beautifully designed quality showers and mixers that are “Made in Germany”? What drives Hansgrohe? What is the company’s economic significance and in what areas does it assume responsibility? Take a look through the keyhole of the Black Forest-based bathroom designer whose products are found all over the world.