Outstanding bathroom design for players, staff and fans in selected places in South Africa
Over the last years, South Africans have limbered up their country's infrastructure. For the World Cup, they built five new stadiums, upgraded existing sports facilities and constructed and renovated airports, roads and railways all over the country. To give the best ever welcome to players, staff and fans, also hoteliers invested in their houses' rooms, lounges, and, last but not least, bathrooms. Many constructors decided in favour of Duravit bathrooms by renowned designers such as Philippe Starck or Sieger Design. True to the company's motto of 'bathroom design from jeans to dinner jacket', Duravit contributed to all kind of bathrooms in South Africa, from private homes to hotels and public spaces .
Tweet-- Over the last years, South Africans have limbered up their country's infrastructure. For the World Cup, they built five new stadiums, upgraded existing sports facilities and constructed and renovated airports, roads and railways all over the country. To give the best ever welcome to players, staff and fans, also hoteliers invested in their houses' rooms, lounges, and, last but not least, bathrooms. Many constructors decided in favour of Duravit bathrooms by renowned designers such as Philippe Starck or Sieger Design. True to the company's motto of 'bathroom design from jeans to dinner jacket', Duravit contributed to all kind of bathrooms in South Africa, from private homes to hotels and public spaces. Many of the bathrooms will be used by football teams, staff and fans during the FIFA World Cup from 11 June to 11 July 2010. People can already find them right after flying into South Africa. With its Fizz series, Duravit delivered all urinals to Durban's new King Shaka International Airport, as well as toilets and washbasins of its Colombo series to Cape Town International Airport. But there are more bathrooms that deserve a special attention:
Royal Bafokeng Hotel and Sport's campus, Phokeng
The Royal Bafokeng, a 5-star hotel, commonly called Royal Marang, is situated on the Bafokeng sport's campus, Phokeng. Its distance to the Royal Bafokeng Stadium, hosting several world cup matches, is only about seven kilometres. The English national football team will be using the hotel as their base of operations during the World Cup. Campus and hotel are managed by the traditional Bafokeng community, who enjoy the support of global sports leaders, as well as the financial backing of Royal Bafokeng Holdings. Smooth lines, soft movements and inviting textures, hues of pure beige, stone, concrete, gold, russet, chocolate as well as wild, vibrant animal prints dominate the hotel's interior design.
In total, the hotel has 82 rooms, 76 standard rooms, four Presidential Suites and two King's Suites. Duravit provided washbasins, toilets and urinals from different design series. In the standard room's section, bathrooms with Starck 3 series wall hung toilets and Starck 2 series drop in wash basins, both by French star designer Philippe Starck, are awaiting the guests. In the public spaces, Fizz urinals and Starck 3 toilets are ready for service. For all bathrooms of the Presidential and the King's Suites, Duravit contributed wash basins and toilets of its 2nd floor series by Sieger Design. "2nd floor epitomizes the notion that the bathroom is in a state of transition, moving from its traditional role as the most private room in the house to one that encourages communication, wellness, and relaxation, perfect for Presidential and King Suites", states Karen Robyn, General Manager, Duravit South Africa. In addition, in its en suites, the Royal Marang features bathroom ceramics of Starck X series. "Starck X is a class of its own. The sculptural character of the washbasins elevates them to the status of exclusive works of art, unrivalled and matchless", adds Ms. Robyn. The Royal Marang is cleverly designed across two separate wings, one for the visiting public, one for dignitaries, celebrities and sports professionals. "Our architecture is a mix of contemporary style and African authenticity, it ensures consummate privacy and absolute ease. We're proud to welcome the English football team here", concludes Martin Bekker, spokesman for the Royal Bafokeng Nation.
The DAVINCI Hotel, Nelson Mandela Square, Sandton
The DAVINCI Hotel & Suites at Nelson Mandela Square in Sandton, Johannesburg, is an official FIFA hotel. It belongs to the Legacy Hotels and Resorts Group that owns and manages several four and five star hotels, bush lodges, leisure resorts and casino resorts throughout Africa. The DAVINCI Hotel opened in mid May 2010, a luxury hotel and all suites development, with 166 en suite rooms and 54 luxury suites, located on Nelson Mandela Square, a cosmopolitan square in the heart of Sandton's business and leisure district. The hotel has direct access to the square, convention centre, the Michelangelo Towers Mall and the Legacy Corner Mall. "One could speak of the opulence of the rooms and their bathrooms, the restaurant and lounge, the fitness centre and health spa. Our guests can enjoy the hotel's endless edge swimming pool, or the convenience of luxurious shopping an elevator trip away", states Bart Dorrestein, CEO of Legacy Hotels & Resorts. Duravit supplied washbasins, toilets and urinals from design series such as Vero, Starck 3 and Duraplus to the DAVINCI Hotel's suites, the additional apartments and public areas. "Featuring clear-cut, classic rectangular forms, the Vero bathroom series is notably appreciated by purists and individualists with an innate understanding of durable design, perfect for luxury hotels such as the DAVINCI", adds Ms. Robyn.
The Oyster Box Hotel, Umhlanga Rocks near Durban
The Oyster Box Hotel in Umhlanga Rocks is located a short walk from Umhlanga Village Centre, not far from Durban International Airport, various shopping centres and attractions, including Gateway Theatre of Shopping, Ushaka Marine World and Moses Mabhida Stadium. The Cameroon National Football team will be using the Oyster Box Hotel as their base of operations during the World Cup. The hotel offers 86 luxurious, individually decorated rooms, including suites and villas, to accommodate the various needs of its guests. Meticulously refurbished, each room and its bathroom are designed to provide the utmost comfort and style. "The colonial charm has been lovingly preserved, while introducing 21st century technology", says Oyster Box's General Manager, Wayne Coetzer. The hotel's decor makes excellent use of natural stone and timber, complemented by calming colours that reflect the soothing shades of the surrounding ocean and tropical vegetation. Duravit contributed toilets and wash basins of its Starck 3 series. Karen Robyn: "With its hallmark, the unfussy, rectangular basic shape, Starck 3 combines practicality with design. Its narrow all-round rim and the upright rear panel characterize all objects of this popular series."
Including South Africa, Duravit products are being marketed in over 90 countries. In November 2009, the German company has set up its own subsidiary in Sandton, Johannesburg, offering products in all price categories, from simple forms to designer bathrooms. Karen Robyn: "We're proud that we delivered outstanding bathroom design to hotels and public areas soon serving players, staff and fans from all over the world during the World Cup."
References
www.bafokengsportscampus.co.za
Notes to Editor
Almost 200 years of bathroom history. It all begins in 1817, when George Friedrich Horn establishes an earthenware factory in Hornberg in the Black Forest. In 1842 the manufacture of tableware is extended to encompass sanitaryware products. The small earthenware factory has in the meantime become a global organisation that today produces sanitary ceramics, bathroom furniture, baths and spa products for dream bathrooms made by Duravit as well as products for the public and semi-public sectors.