GROHE and the World Architecture Festival (WAF) extend alliances through WAF Trends Asia

With an aim to empower architects and designers in the Asia-Pacific region 

 by Priya jadhav

Singapore – GROHE and the World Architecture Festival (WAF) today announced their new partnership - WAF Trends Asia (WAFTA). GROHE, a power brand from LIXIL, has been a Founder Partner of WAF for over a decade and sees an opportunity and a responsibility to initiate WAFTA. The brand believes that this partnership provides a platform that celebrates the work of aspiring architects and designers (A&Ds) in the Asia-Pacific region and nurtures the next generation, empowering them to improve the lives of many.

In the recent five years, GROHE has been a witness to the exponential increase in the submissions from A&Ds from Asia-Pacific. This year saw the highest number, a total of 578 out of 1006 entries [57%] were from the region. WAF Trends Asia is a response to this booming growth of A&Ds and aims to leverage both partner’s strength to create a platform for them to showcase their work, discuss industry trends, share best practices and provide networking opportunities for both, international key figures as well as local rising architects.

“We are delighted to be partnering with GROHE in this exciting new programme to promote architecture and design across the region,” said Paul Finch, WAF Programme Director. “WAF has had a long and productive relationship with GROHE, our founder partner since our launch in 2008. This latest initiative will reinforce our mutual belief in the importance of architects and designers to improving the buildings and places where we live, work and play. We look forward to enhancing our knowledge of and relationship with, the people who create better built environments across the Asia-Pacific region.”

“GROHE is shaping the future of water not just through our products and technology; but also through platforms and ideas which inspire stakeholders in the industry. The purpose behind the WAFTA partnership is to develop and nurture a synergetic relationship with architects and designers and evolve together for the better.” said Josephine Lee, CMO, LIXIL Water Technology, Asia Pacific. “The year-long partnership will celebrate Asian architecture and design and nurture the next generation through a robust activity calendar including panel discussions, networking sessions and exhibitions etc across the region. We are looking forward to taking this partnership to its fullest potential.”  

WAFTA kicked off in India through an experiential event with India’s top 50 architects and designers. Internationally renowned architect and multi-winner of past WAF awards, Sanjay Puri, was also present at the event as the keynote speaker. The 16 shortlisted nominations from India for the upcoming 2019 WAF were also put on display for the audience allowing them to celebrate, share and inspire fellow peers.

“At LIXIL we touch the lives of over one billion people through our products and technology. We believe that architects and designers too, have a direct impact on the living spaces that enhance life of our consumers. WAFTA partnership therefore becomes important as it helps us to work closely with the A&D community empowering them to deliver the best design concepts and experiences by providing them with the necessary platforms,” said Yang Chin Chen, CEO of LIXIL Water Technology, Asia Pacific. “It is the responsibility of LIXIL and its power brands such as GROHE to create such platforms to make better homes a reality for everyone, everywhere.”

About GROHE: GROHE is a leading global brand for full bathroom solutions and kitchen 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 Freude an Wasser”. 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 past ten years alone, more than 300 design and innovation awards as well as several top rankings at the German Sustainability Award have confirmed GROHE's success. 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 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 INAX, GROHE, American Standard and TOSTEM. Over 70,000 colleagues operating in more than 150 countries are proud to make products that touch the lives of more than a billion people every day. Learn more at www.lixil.com. LIXIL Group Corporation (TSE Code: 5938) is the listed holding company for LIXIL’s portfolio of businesses.

About World Architecture Festival (WAF)

WAF is where the world architecture community meets to celebrate, learn, exchange and be inspired. WAF is the world’s largest annual, international, live architectural event. It includes the biggest international architectural live-judged awards programme in the world, dedicated to celebrating excellence via live presentations to an audience of high-profile delegates and international juries.

The World Architecture Festival (WAF) comprises:

- A thematic conference programme (this year based on the theme ‘flow’)

- Electronic gallery of all Award entries

- Exhibition area

- Live judging of finalists’ projects

- Architectural tour programme

- Networking and social events including partner fringe events

- Gala Awards Dinner

INSIDE World Festival of Interiors runs alongside WAF, with its own awards and conference programme. Delegates have access to both events. WAF and INSIDE are organised by EMAP, publishers of The Architectural Review and The Architects’ Journal.