LIXIL WELCOMED ASIA’S TOP ARCHITECTS & DESIGNERS TO THE FIRST- EVER LIXIL SPALET ICONIC TOUR 2018.

Jul 16, 2018

Grand Winner of Dream SPALET Destination Competition 2018 Announced in Evening Fete.

LIXIL, the global leader in sanitary fixtures and fittings, wrote a new page on shower toilet history as it catalyzed the convergence of Asia’s top architects and designers in Nagoya, Japan, for one singular experience: the LIXIL SPALET ICONIC TOUR. From July 12-13, 2018, guests were soaked up all things shower toilet and more, as the tour’s itinerary included an exclusive visit to the LIXIL showroom and a stopover at the INAX Museum, where they were immersed with INAX unique history as the pioneering brand in shower toilet technology.

The LIXIL SPALET Iconic Tour came at a most opportune time, enabling more of Asia to catch up with the innovative SPALET: a fusion of the Zen-like SPA experience with the functionalities of a western toilet.

Few come close to LIXIL’s leadership in SPALET: it alone occupies a unique position in the industry, having three of the world’s biggest and most recognized brands in sanitary wares namely, INAX, GROHE and AMERICAN STANDARD. LIXIL leverages its expertise and experience from these three brands, to lead the world in innovative SPALET technology- manufacturing products only with world-class Japanese technology, top-notch German precision engineering and award-winning purposeful design.

The SPALET took centerstage during the tour, fresh from the success of a regional ad campaign that launched it to the consumer market in 2017, fittingly tagged ILOVESPALET. By showcasing real people from different walks of life, the cameras had captured them candidly expressing their delight over their first encounter with the SPALET.

In a parallel effort to help more architects and designers derive inspiration on how the SPALET offers limitless possibilities to enrich their hospitality projects, LIXIL launched the DREAM SPALET DESTINATION COMPETITION.

Architects and designers were invited to submit for competition, the hospitality projects where they had chosen to beautifully appoint hotel suites and rooms with SPALET products.

Online voters weighed in on which DREAM SPALET DESTINATION they most wanted to experience: the results produced finalists who were advanced to the next levels, and vetted by the top executives of LIXIL that comprised the panel of judges.

As part of their winning, the five finalists were invited to LIXIL SPALET Iconic Tour, where the grand winner was announced during a dinner presentation.

With the tour served as a backdrop to the awarding of the final winning hospitality project, excitement heightened for the finalists of the DREAM SPALET DESTINATION COMPETITION.

The five finalists of DREAM SPALET DESTINATION COMPETITION are:

Okada Manila – Shin Miura

Crowne Plaza Tainan – 陳尚志

Grande Centre Point Sukhumvit 55, Bangkok – Mr. Thanawat Sukhaggananda

The Lotus Boutique Hotel – Huỳnh Cao Trí

The Myst Dong Khoi Hotel – Hiep Nguyen

Read more about each finalist’s entry here: https://ilovespalet.com/dream-destinations-entries

The highlights of the LIXIL SPALET ICONIC TOUR itinerary.

The invited architects and designers received a visual and sensory overload, from an exclusive visit to the LIXIL SHOWROOM where they appreciated the breadth and depth of LIXIL’s product offerings, to the INAX Museum for a taste of INAX rich history in ceramics and a special exhibition of the shower toilet’s 50-year history and heritage, amidst a wealth of INAX technological innovations. The very first INAX shower toilet is on display, still fully functional after all these years!

Inked into the itinerary as well was an architectural walking tour around the Nagoya Station – a megalopolis of the future. Under construction is the 2027 Chuo Shinkasen maglev line that will connect Tokyo and Nagoya in 40 minutes, and eventually Tokyo and Osaka in 67 minutes, running at a maximum speed of 505 km/k. Around the station are the JP TOWER, JR GATE TOWER and the DAI NAGOYA BUILDING. Opened in 2017 the DAI NAGOYA BUILDING was a remarkable development which rose to over 33,000 square meters of office and commercial spaces, allowing the residents of the Nagoya/Tokai region to enjoy shopping and dining at high quality, trendy stores right where they can work, live and rest. The building’s scenic sky garden beckons, welcoming locals and tourists alike. The tower exterior was designed by ASAO TOKORO, creator of the Tokyo Olympic logo. Its architectural design was by MITSUBISHI JISYO SEKKEI.

At the July 13 dinner program, Bijoy Mohan, CEO of LIXIL ASIA, shared the LIXIL vision for SPALETS in Asia and its 3-brand strategy. Ryuichi Kawamoto, Director of LIXIL Group Corporation set the stage for INAX rich heritage, while Yasuhiro Shirai, General Manager, Design and Advanced Technology Center and Martin Masataka Mizutani, Chief Technology Officer, impressed guests with the company’s technologies and design philosophies. Also slated at the dinner program was the awarding of the DREAM SPALET DESTINATION grand winner from the five finalists from the Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam and Thailand.

This is only the beginning of LIXIL’s efforts to help the SPALET culture take root in Asia. LIXIL commits to solidify the position of SPALET in the market by employing a 3-brand strategy with INAX, GROHE and American Standard- which enables LIXIL to offer INAX expertise and heritage, GROHE German-precision technology and American Standard purposeful design, with all its product offerings.

As LIXIL stays on course to provide everyone more SPALETS, it helps elevate our cleansing rituals to unparalleled levels of pampering- propelling the bathroom to a higher perch, from a purely utilitarian function to a haven of comfort- a truly personal, emotional, living space. As Asia’s top architects and designers’ immersion in the world of SPALET took off with the LIXIL SPALET ICONIC TOUR, SPALET stands to capture even more of the world’s imagination. In an age of fast-evolving technology and greater consumer enlightenment, the SPALET assures all that technology is indeed meant to upgrade life-in fact, to better life itself.

This July, Asia meets the SPALET, up close and personal. Next stop-even more of the world.

-Ends-

ABOUT LIXIL
LIXIL makes pioneering water and housing products that solve every day, real-life challenges, making better homes a reality for everyone, everywhere. Drawing on our Japanese heritage, we create world-leading technology and innovate to make high quality products that transform homes. But the LIXIL difference is how we do this; through meaningful design, an entrepreneurial spirit, a dedication to improving accessibility for all, and responsible business growth. Our approach comes to life through industry leading brands, including LIXIL, GROHE, American Standard, INAX, and TOSTEM. Over 70,000 colleagues operating in 150 countries are proud to make products that touch the lives of more than a billion people every day.

LIXIL Group Corporation (TSE Code: 5938) is the listed holding company for LIXIL’s portfolio of businesses.

About INAX
INAX, formerly known as Ina Seito, started its sanitary ware business in 1945, manufacturing wash basins and squat toilets in Japan. Since then, the company has spearheaded the advancement of Japanese toilet space by drawing on the sophisticated technologies and craftsmanship developed over the years. INAX builds its reputation on the superlative quality and design of its products as it continues to evolve and pursue advanced materials, technologies and amenities to improve people’s lives.

About GROHE
GROHE is the world’s leading provider of sanitary fittings and has a total of over 6,000 employees, 2,400 of which are based in Germany. GROHE has been part of the LIXIL Group Corporation since 2014. As an international brand, GROHE pursues the brand values of technology, quality, design and sustainability, seeking to offer the “Pure joy of water”. GROHE has been developing new product categories since its inception. This includes the GROHE Blue and Red water systems and the recently-introduced GROHE Sense water security system, which is an innovative component in the growth market of smart home technology. Innovation, design and development are closely aligned with one another and are enshrined in the German site as an integrated process. As a result, GROHE products carry the seal of quality “Made in Germany”. In the last ten years alone, GROHE has received over 300 design and innovation awards as well as several top rankings as one of “Germany’s most sustainable large brands”, confirming the success of the brand. GROHE was the first in its industry to win the German government’s CSR prize and was also featured in the renowned Fortune® magazine’s ranking of Top 50 that are “Changing the World”.

ABOUT AMERICAN STANDARD
As one of the most iconic brands in sanitary ware, American Standard has earned the trust of its customers by constantly delivering style, quality and reliability to their bathrooms. Today, backed by more than 140 years of pioneering legacy, American Standard continues to raise the bar in delivering dependable bathroom solutions that combine thoughtful designs and innovative technologies to create inviting bathroom sanctuaries offering ultimate comfort and performance to its customers.