Mouthwatering: FRANKE Water Systems

By KWC Professional, Gerkan / Marg + Partner, Harter + Kanzler Architekten and

January 8, 2020 | 11:00 pm CUT

With innovative, durable and attractive sanitary solutions, FRANKE WATER SYSTEMS has established itself as a reliable partner for projects in both the public and commercial sectors.

The RONDAtop countertop washbasin is very well-rounded. In addition to easy installation thanks to the integrated seal, it can be perfectly combined with the taps of the F5 line or with the F3E wall valves and is available with or without a tap ledge

How difficult is it actually to reconcile form and function in design? If you ask sanitary specialist Franke Water Systems, the answer is not at all. Because art is something that sets Franke apart. Self-restrained, with a clear profile and passionate commitment to their goals, the clear focus is on the perfect interplay of technology and aesthetics. In order to get to the very essence of the things being developed, intensive research is carried out in the company's own competence centres – a luxury not every manufacturer can afford. Customers love the finished product, architects love the design and users love the handling.

Compelling diversity

In any case, there is no resting on laurels: Franke’s product family is growing beyond itself. New shower taps, for example, ensure invigorating and relaxing shower experiences – particularly popular after exercise. The new F5 shower panel in stainless steel, which picks up on the design language of the F5 tap line, is one of the latest highlights of the collection, developed according to a kind of modular principle with two housing versions, four water-saving tap versions, three different shower heads or alternatively with a hand shower. In contrast, the elegant, one-piece MIRANIT shower panel, like the stainless steel versions, is characterised by a flexible choice of fittings and shower heads. Its robustness is compelling and perfectly suited to locations with heavily frequented sanitary facilities such as public swimming pools, fitness studios and sports centres. In relation to such locations, Franke has developed the first ionic hood hair dryer for the shortest possible drying time: The F5 hairdryer continues the record breaking even after you’re done with exercise.

The SMARTWAVE shower panels, the F5 hairdryer with ionic technology and the angled F3 tap series represent a new generation in the sanitary sector. They translate classic Franke product lines into a new design language

Award-winning sophistication

Hand washing also reaches new levels with the exclusive RONDAtop and QUADROtop countertop washbasins. As the names suggest, these are circular and rectangular models, both of which can of course be combined with Franke taps. The basins are made of the composite material MIRANIT, a mixture of marble powder, sandstone, quartz sand and unsaturated polyester resin. The smooth, non-porous gelcoat surface ensures that the appearance always remains brilliant alpine white, even at high water temperatures. The icing on the cake is an optionally available hood drain valve in white, which once again underlines the elegance of the washbasins. Finally, a totally invisible and yet essential detail is the seal integrated into the mounting edge which makes the use of additional silicone for sealing unnecessary. RONDAtop was honoured with the internationally renowned German Design Award 2020 in the category ‘Bath and Wellness – Excellent Product Design’ – an award that also went to the barrier-free VARIUScare washbasin in the category ‘Medical, Rehabilitation and Health Care’ for being an outstanding product design.

The two attractive countertop washbasins RONDAtop and QUADROtop made of the composite material MIRANIT also play in the top league in terms of design: RONDAtop was awarded the German Design Award 2020

Popular project partner

In Murnau, Upper Bavaria, Franke supported the extension of the Public Secondary School by architects Harter & Kanzler from Freiburg who attached great importance to the overall visual effect of the project. When planning the sanitary concepts for the public and semi-public areas, the focus was on safety and practicality, but the architects attached equal importance to economical water use and, above all, ecological water management. With this in mind, it was then necessary to find a system that could marry these practical, aesthetic and ecological considerations.

The custom-made VARIUS washbasins made of mineral granite are particularly stable and easy to clean

In addition to custom-made VARIUS washbasins made of MIRANIT, which are particularly stable and easy to clean, electronic washing and shower taps were used, accompanied by accessories made of stainless steel such as paper towel and soap dispensers. In the background, the AQUA 3000 open drinking water management system simultaneously provides automated, highly effective water dispensing control. As a valued partner, Franke was involved in the planning of this project from the very beginning.

Franke products are used in the Public Secondary School in the Bavarian town of Murnau, from the washstand and shower taps to the paper towel and soap dispensers. The proportions and design harmonise on every level

Pioneering technology

For the blu water sports and leisure facility in Potsdam, planned by von Gerkan, Marg und Partner, one of the main focuses was modern planning of the sanitary facilities and water installations. Franke supplied high-quality taps for more than 130 shower and wash locations in a place where uncompromising hygiene standards are required. Here too, the decision was made in favour of the AQUA 3000 open water management system, which guarantees a hygienically perfect drinking water supply. The BUS-based system is a highly developed technological instrument that regulates the quantity and timing of water delivery at each point of use in a building according to predefined parameters, thus ensuring environmentally friendly and cost-saving operation and hygienically clean drinking water.

Water plays a fundamental role in the blu water sports and leisure facility in Potsdam (von Gerkan, Marg und Partner). Franke Water Systems was involved in the sanitary concept, including outfitting the centre with over 130 shower and wash locations

In all the presented projects, Franke’s characteristic optimal function is seamlessly combined with perfect form. If that is not passion for water, then what?