Room for manoeuvre: barrier-free bathrooms from KALDEWEI

German bathroom manufacturer KALDEWEI has comprehensively engaged with the topic of accessibility and developed some clever solutions for the more challenging floor plan.

By Kaldewei and Barbara Jahn-Rösel

March 16, 2020 | 11:00 pm CUT

Keeping up with the times. The ability to lead as independent a life as possible without unnecessary obstacles up to an advanced age – and without having to do forego design: that is KALDEWEI's ambitious claim in the development of CAYONOPLAN MULTISPACE

Accessibility in the bathroom: This is a principle long since firmly anchored in architecture, and on residential projects, in particular, a fixed parameter. It’s important to meet these requirements in the best way possible – without prejudice, animosity or the need for wrinkling of noses. The bathroom industry has done its homework and long known that things which make our lives easier don’t need to be hidden away. And design should not be an alien concept when it comes to enabling people with disabilities to enjoy a practical, dignified and hygienic everyday life.

It doesn't get any better than this. Aesthetics and function elegantly combined in a steel enamel surface – two components that are not mutually exclusive. CAYONOPLAN MULTISPACE from KALDEWEI meets all requirements of DIN standard 18040-2

Living without limits

Among other things, the German bathroom manufacturer has intensively addressed the issue of accessibility and developed special solutions for rooms with more challenging parameters. CAYONOPLAN MULTISPACE – the first DIN CERTCO certified shower surface with a movement area and made of enamelled steel and therefore 100 per cent recyclable – is suitable for particularly demanding installation situations and complies with DIN standard 18040-2. It is designed to create optimum conditions for barrier-free access. For example, while it clearly stands out from the rest of the floor surface as a separate area – as recommended by the two-sense principle – it is nonetheless flush with the floor for ease of movement. And the Coordinated Colours Collection offers a wide range of tones to choose from.

'The bathroom industry has done its homework and long known that things which make our lives easier don’t need to be hidden away'

While the enamelled surface already offers many advantages such as durability, easy maintenance and hygiene, this shower surface is additionally equipped with the almost invisible surface coating KALDEWEI Secure Plus, which complies with slip resistance standards related to evaluation-group B for wet, barefoot areas (DIN 51097). In this regard, it is haptics alone that distinguishes the shower surface from the rest of the floor, so while functionality takes a backseat, aesthetics come to the fore.

Everything covered. In addition to the ideal dimensions, CAYONOPLAN MULTISPACE also meets the requirement of the two-senses principle, which helps people with limited mobility find their way around. The shower surface stands out clearly from the floor

But look aren’t everything of course. Everything must be planned in accordance with standards and regulations. DIN 18040-2 regulates the requirements for all barrier-free planning in new buildings, whereby in apartments with several washrooms, at least one should comply with this standard. For the architect, this means that a bathroom here must be developed and designed with particular attention to the shower area, wash area and toilet. The requirements include a shower area of at least 120 centimetres square, a maximum incline of two percent and the use of an anti-slip covering. The new CAYONOPLAN MULTISPACE shower meets these requirements perfectly and also scores points with the feature that no less than 60 per cent of its area can be added to the prescribed movement area of the room. This makes it particularly attractive for smaller bathrooms under four square metres.

Not much space? No problem. CAYONOPLAN MULTISPACE from KALDEWEI is the perfect solution for even the smallest bathrooms from four square metres and upwards. This is made possible by having the floor-level shower area part of the movement area

The best of both worlds

Architecture and design, like other areas of life, are also faced with the challenge of finding ways to satisfy the common human desire for continuing to feel young, fit, independent and self-determining for the longest possible time. Things like hyaluron or cosmetic surgery can come into play here, but these are far from the complete answer. Ultimately, it is also a matter of ensuring that people in need of care can also continue to manage their daily tasks at home with dignity and in an attractive environment. CAYONOPLAN MULTISPACE by KALDEWEI supports this principle and sends a clear message: The topic of accessibility goes beyond pure functionality and can act as a catalyst of sorts for finding inspiring solutions for best dealing with the fact that space is increasingly limited. After all, freedom of movement is intrinsic to life, in the bathroom as everywhere else.

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