Metropolis
Join us every second Tuesday of the month for a dose of optimism with thought-provoking guests who are revolutionizing their fields. Innovators will lead virtual workshops for an hour of discovery, inspiration, and community. Led by editor in chief, Avinash Rajagopal, these workshops will be guided by our audience, where questions are not only welcome but encouraged.
Metropolis Editors, Natural Habitat, sustainability, sustainable architecture
METROPOLIS Introduces Natural Habitat, a Sustainable Homes Video Series
The series debuts with a tour of a tranquil upstate New York retreat designed with Passive House principles.
June 24, 2024
By: Metropolis Editors
More than 41,500 visitors descended on Las Vegas this past February for the 2024 Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS) to see products offered by 670 manufacturers and suppliers of fixtures, appliances, surfaces, and technologies. The National Kitchen and Bath Association took advantage of this confluence to provide insights and education on responsible design, with panel discussions and workshops offered on design for healthy homes, neurodiversity, and water conservation. Bringing carbon impact into this lineup, METROPOLIS editor in chief Avinash Rajagopal moderated a discussion with three leaders in sustainable design—Amanda Gunawan, Founding Principal, Only Way Is Up Design; Laurence Carr, CEO, Laurence Carr, Inc.; and Megan Thompson, Founder, greenList by Spark Interiors.
The discussion, titled “Low Impact is a Good Thing: The Latest Initiatives in Low-Carbon Design” began with a discussion of why carbon emissions are a growing concern for design professionals, and how that can be tackled in residential and commercial projects. Carr, who is a longtime advocate for sustainability, spoke about the confluence of carbon, circularity, and wellbeing; while Thompson provided guidance on sustainable product selection—especially on the steps residential designers can take to make more responsible design choices. Gunawan steered the conversation to the fundamentals of sustainable design: “Start by asking the ‘why’ questions,” she advised, so that every decision is thoughtfully taken without defaulting to industry standard materials and products just because they are conventional or convenient.
Asked how motivated designers can take the first steps towards sustainable decision making, Thompson had this advice: “Set one simple boundary. Maybe that looks like, ‘I will refuse to sell my clients anything that’s harmful to them, because it will be harmful to the planet.’ Just start with one little thing, get really good at it, then add as you improve upon your skillset.”
Many of the releases at KBIS 2024 emphasized earth-friendly materials and features while touting responsible manufacturing. Products like Kallista’s 002 tout artisan assembly with lever handle options that adorn natural stones like rose quartz and zebra jasper. Or take KBIS Sustainability Standout Gold award winner RainStick Shower, a circular system that boasts an 80 percent reduction in water and energy usage but doesn’t skimp on luxury—a smart home connection allows users to curate their shower experience. These standout releases echo a growing focus on sustainability and personalized living experiences in kitchen and bath design.
TOP IMAGE:
Crossville Beljn is a new porcelain tile collection from AHF Products, embodying Belgium’s grandeur and limestone heritage. Handcrafted in the United States, it blends old-world charm with modern flair. With five hues, two finishes, and various sizes, Beljn suits indoor and outdoor spaces, offering durability, low maintenance, and ecofriendliness. The collection is Green Squared certified and carbon neutral.
AHF PRODUCTS
ahfproducts.com
Inspired by travertine, Daltile’s Calligo blends the natural essence of stone with the durability of porcelain tile. The tiles are offered in a dimensional 12 x 24 fluted wall option that plays with light and shadow, or 15 x 30 floor tiles and 1 x 6 mosaics for a clean, modern look. They also feature Daltile’s proprietary DEFEND™ powered by Microban technology, which continuously eliminates 99 percent of bacteria on the tile surface. Calligo is made with both pre- and post-consumer recycled content.
DALTILE
daltile.com
A collaboration with Suede Studio, Rocky Mountain Hardware’s Phases collection blends contemporary design with functionality. The bath and kitchen accessories—including cabinet pulls, towel bars, hooks, and more—are crafted with curves and angles, marrying cast bronze with modern aesthetics for an edgy “yin and yang” style.
ROCKY MOUNTAIN HARDWARE
rockymountainhardware.com
Kallista’s 002 Collection includes a widespread faucet, shower trims, and a freestanding bath filler in five luxurious finishes. Inspired by the classic pill shape, the line reimagines soft modern forms with clean edges and subtle surfaces, blending seamlessly into any space. Handcrafted by global artisans, the faucet features a no-profile aerator and Italian stone handle options, offering timeless elegance for minimalist or luxurious settings.
KALLISTA
kallista.com
Designed for smaller spaces, Bertazzoni’s 24” Induction Range offers a seamless black glass cooking surface with embedded touch controls. Catering to homeowners and designers seeking functionality and style, this range delivers performance and easy cleanup.
BERTAZZONI
us.bertazzoni.com
RainStick Shower reduces water and energy usage by up to 80 percent while effectively doubling the flow rate of a traditional shower. Additionally, its smart technology enables personalized experiences, with users able to monitor water and energy usage and enjoy luxury and ecoconscious features. While the original creates a statement piece, a new RainStick Lite option can be installed behind the wall, offering a more discreet look and allowing for design freedom and adaptability.
RAINSTICK
rainstickshower.com
LX Hausys has expanded its Teracanto Porcelain Surface line with seven new colors that celebrate nature’s beauty. From Calacatta Lincoln’s warm tones to Asgard’s exotic vibes, each addition is created with organic earth-based ingredients and blends opulence with versatility, ideal for residential and commercial spaces. Teracanto has a Declare label, is Red List Free, and Greenguard Gold certified.
LX HAUSYS
lxhausys.com
Drawing inspiration from modern architecture, Delta Faucet’s Albion Bath collection (available in fall 2024) blends soft curves with angular geometries for dimensional style. The line, offered in five finishes, includes single-handle, centerset, widespread faucets, along with the In2ition Two-in-One Shower, which combines an overhead with a handheld for a flexible shower experience.
DELTA FAUCET
deltafaucet.com
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Profiles
Breaking barriers and crossing disciplines comes naturally for this University of Michigan master’s candidate and METROPOLIS Future100 honoree.
Viewpoints
The inaugural citywide festival incorporated exhibitions that addressed the relevancy of craft and the importance of sustainable design.
Projects
For its design of a dining hub in an upmarket part of Singapore, OMA and David Gianotten focused on circular flows of food, people, and materials.
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