Idéo Bain 2008

The fourth Idéo Bain, the bathroom exhibition, which took place from 5th to 10th February 2008 at Paris-Expo Porte de Versailles in conjunction with interclima+elec, kept its promises. In more than 32,000 m2 of space nearly 300 French and international exhibitors showed off their wares. Idéo Bain, the only European show entirely dedicated to the bathroom, strengthened its standing amongst both the professionals and the general public as the finest international brand show case.

interclima+elec and Idéo Bain set a record for visitor numbers, with 107,688 visitors, including 15,304 members of the general public and 92,384 trade visitors (+ 9.5%).

Idéo Bain, a show case for the industry
This is the view of the 300 brands (+ 10%) exhibiting at the show. Once again, it reaffirmed its role as a focus for bathroom professionals drawn to this major biennial held under the aegis of the AFISH (the French bathroom manufacturers' association).

Interclima+Elec and Idéo Bain attracted 107,688 visitors, of which 92,384 were trade visitors and 15,304 members of the general public visiting Idéo Bain. In the space of the three shows between 2004 and 2008, the number of trade visitors has grown by 32%. As a global centre for fashion, decoration and design, with Idéo Bain Paris has established its position in the bathroom industry by developing an original and sophisticated show concept.

In the face of environmental challenges, the bathroom industry has taken up the gauntlet and is using the environment as an engine for innovation. Advances, particularly in the field of water economy, have been made in all products (taps, shower cubicles, sanitaryware).

The major drive to raise awareness of the show and to attract various categories of professional to Idéo Bain worked well. Installers confirmed their interest in the bathroom accounting for nearly 40% of the show's visitors (+ 3.8% on 2006). Merchants also flocked to the show, making up 20.87% of visitors (+ 21.7% on 2006).

Showroom sales staff (+ 23.5%) and turnkey installers (+203%) were also a major presence. The bathroom universe was also big draw for interior designers (+ 5.3%).

Idéo Bain, a whirlpool of ideas
Nowhere else is the public offered such a profusion of ideas and creativity. 15,304 consumers planning bathrooms crowded the aisles of the show and showed great interest in ModesDeBains. This a unique parade of creativity and solutions that has no parallel in Europe was put together by the combined talents of Daniel Rozensztroch, agence 2.26 and the manufacturers. Members of the public were surprised and inspired by forty outstanding bathrooms created by manufacturers and designers.

Ever more real dreams
The Advice and Implementation centre that was set up to help consumers was a great success.

Members of the public were able to obtain advice and to speak to installers and
Interior designers directly, who, in turn, responded to their specific concerns.

Creation rewarded
o The 'Hotel Bathroom Prize 2008'
Following on from the tributes paid to Andrée Putman, Terence Conran and India Mahdavi, the 'Hotel Bathroom Prize' went to Christophe Pillet in 2008. The unanimous choice of the brands represented at Idéo Bain for the body of his work, Christophe Pillet created a new hotel bathroom exclusively for Idéo Bain.

o The 2008 Idéo Bain Awards
A jury of buyers and bathroom experts toured the aisles of the show looking for innovative, creative and high performance products.

Design Award
GROHE ONDUS taps – http://www.grohe.fr
Curving like the crest of a wave, the Ondus tap has been designed to deliver water to the ideal point for it to be used, like a waterfall. The range is characterised by great simplicity of design and by the sophistication of the high performance digital controls, which are nevertheless easy to use. Flow, temperature and even the length of time for which the water flows can be set as the user wishes. There is even a 'pause' function to stop the flow of water whilst one rubs one's hands with soap - water saving par excellence!

Technical Innovation Award
MATKI & SWADLING - Thermostatic tap with recessed body -http://www.swadlingbrassware.com
Ultra slim line, the body of this mixing valve requires a depth of just 4.8 cm for it to be recessed. Perfect for use with thin partitions. All the functions are integrated into the base and so only the chrome finished face plate and the controls show. Works at very low pressure (0.5 bar).

GREEN Innovation Award
PONTOS HANSGROHE - AQUACYCLE 900 for the treatment of dirty water -
http://www.hansgrohe.com
This compact water recycling system has been designed for both communal installations (university halls of residence, hotels, sports facilities...) and for the residential sector.

Aquacycle® uses the four stage 'Smartclean' process developed by Pontos to treat dirty water (filtration, aerobic biological cleaning, UVC sterilisation and then storage). As a result, water from showers and baths can be recycled and reused to flush toilets, to water gardens or for washing clothes or floors ...

The system consists of three 300-litre polyethylene containers. At a time when the cost of water keeps on rising, this system will allow it to be managed better.

Best ModesDeBains Set Award
ALLIA No 24 - THE TENDER AGE – http://www.allia.fr
I am lord of all I survey in my castle of a bathroom. But I'm also gracious and so I share it with those two minions who are my parents. It is as if we each have our own bathroom in one and the same place.

Best ModesDeBains Solution Award
AMBIANCE BAIN No 42 - LIFE IS A GAME – http://www.ambiancebain.com
Here, for a 30-year old kid, Ambiance Bain has shown just what good use of space it can make to create a second bathroom. It is a bathroom complete in the smallest details that will fit into any tiny corner: under the eaves, in the attic, in an alcove, a cupboard... 2.40m by 1,10m, the'Tanguy' from this company features a shower, a water supply with storage and a wall-mounted WC built into a piece of furniture.

Jury's Favourite
RAF - FLES FS 21 tap – http://www.raf.net
This line of taps inspired by the shape of a bottle comprises 40 models for basins, baths, showers... All are fitted with a flow regulator, which cuts the flow with a single action and so reduces water consumption by up to 75%.