House of Rohl presented several novelties at the Salone del Mobile 2024 with some of the brands that are part of the Group: Victoria + Albert launched two important new collections, SEROS and LEDRO, while Perrin & Rowe introduced several lines of hand-forged brass taps. The novelties do not only concern these collections, in fact for the first time the brand Aqualisa, a British brand of shower systems with intelligent digital technology recently acquired by House of Rohl, is taking part in the event. Aqualisa responds with its systems to the growing demand for Smart Home: the smart shower is started using the controller, the app or by asking Alexa or Google. The display on the controller indicates when the shower is ready so there is no need to get close and test the water.
Among the new collections, Victoria + Albert offers Seros, which is an industry first; both the creative process and production were different from any other series. Victoria + Albert wanted to introduce a line dedicated to art and therefore commissioned Sophie-Elizabeth Thompson, a sculptor to create dynamic and fluid forms that could inspire a collection of bathtubs and washbasins.
These beautiful and intriguing sculptures provided the perfect platform for Victoria + Albert’s in-house design team. Sophie-Elizabeth Thompson is a British sculptor based in Barcelona who works with granite, marble, bronze, ceramic, resin and plaster. Her nature-inspired works are exhibited worldwide in galleries and public spaces. Seros is also inspired by natural elements: with his finely sculpted lines he describes peaks that recall the waves of the sea or the crests of sand dunes. The basin is asymmetrical and looks different from every angle and in every light. The collection includes a countertop basin and a pedestal basin – the first time Victoria + Albert has produced one. The pedestal washbasin for wall or room centre is made in one piece using Victoria + Albert’s exclusive and patented material, QuarrycastTM.
The brand’s second novelty is LEDRO*, a concept project that combines reduced water consumption, sophisticated design and a luxurious experience.
Victoria + Albert used their knowledge of bathroom ergonomics and material capabilities to create a freestanding bathtub with low water consumption. Working within the guidelines of BREEAM and the Unified Water Label, the goal was a shape that uses only 180 litres when full, equivalent to about 125 litres in normal use (with movement by an average bather).
Other interesting innovations were presented by Perrin & Rowe, a House of Rohl brand recognised for its production of traditional English hand-cast taps of the highest quality, which is launching the Traditional and Georgian lines, designed to provide modern versions of early 20th century designs. Basin mixers are a relatively recent innovation and would not have been part of bathrooms a century ago. So it was a challenge to design a mixer for the Georgian range that was in keeping with the era, but at the same time offered the smooth-running advantages of a modern mixer. Perrin & Rowe’s new single lever basin mixer in the Georgian style strikes the perfect balance between modern functionality and traditional form.
