Bring your swimsuit. This was the instruction given ahead of a visit to the Hansgrohe Aquademie in Schiltach, a town in the Black Forest in Germany.
It would not be unusual, except that it was January and the temperature typically hovers around zero degrees Celsius then.
But pack a swimsuit I did and after a two-and-a-half-hour journey from Frankfurt, I learnt why.
While it has evolved into offering products for the bathroom and kitchen, the Hansgrohe Group still has a strong focus on the shower experience.
This, visitors to its Aquademie (or headquarters) get to sample first-hand, literally, through Showerworld.
A VERITABLE DOWNPOUR
Hour-long slots of the entire 200m2 space can be booked, mainly made up of a huge, open-concept bathroom, installed with more than 20 different shower experiences curated by the Hansgrohe and Axor brands. Like an overgrown child, I gleefully tried out the different products, while feeling a little bit guilty for playing with water (I was later reassured that it is recycled for use to flush the toilets in the facilities).
The newest Hansgrohe range, Rainfinity, was on proud display, its overhead shower with its three-jet variant considerately angled so that my hair would not get wet.
I finally got to try the much-talked-about PowderRain spray mode, where the water droplets do indeed envelope than bounce onto the body like a fine cloak and gently moisten the skin.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der Issue 115-Ausgabe von d+a.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der Issue 115-Ausgabe von d+a.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
timeless appeal
Cosentino’s new collections continue to offer sustainable, durable and innovative surfaces that seamlessly blend into and enhance any contemporary space.
FIND - design fair asia 2024 returns for third edition
Exciting design innovations and the latest trends from Southeast Asia under one roof.
Global design hotspot
Highlights of Ambiente 2025: An extensive and diverse global marketplace for consumer goods
the natural balance
Inspired by the serene beauty of dewdrops, the Antao Collection by Villeroy & Boch transforms bathrooms into wellness sanctuaries, combining sustainability with timeless elegance.
balancing act: nature and humanity
In this inspiration-led series, we asked Jay Liu and Alex Liu, co-founders of Right Angle Studio, to dream up a unique interior concept using mainly items from Space Furniture.
rethinking, remaking, reframing
Aoki Akio, the founder of DESIGNART TOKYO discusses the importance and legacy of Tokyo’s eminent art and design event, particularly for young creatives.
rebuilding communities
Shift2024, the much-anticipated conference returns with a stellar line-up of prolific architects making their mark in Asian urban design.
unparalleled italian craftsmanship
Filippo Arnaboldi, Chief Executive Officer of Frette, tells us how this ry lifestyle Italian brand is moving forward with times yet not forgetting about its existing legacy.
where the mountain meets the sea
This bespoke hillside residence features modern design elements, natural touches, and panoramic ocean views.
building a green home
This semi-detached house by Zivy Architects explores passive tropical design the delight in architecture and the issues of multi-generational living.