Industry professionals and journalists joined with Ideal Standard colleagues as we celebrated the official opening of our new London Design and Specification Centre last week.
During a day dedicated to insight and inspiration and hosted by our group CEO Torsten Türling and UK Managing Director Stephen Ewer, we celebrated our heritage and looked forward to a bright future of continued innovation and design leadership.
The inauguration events kicked off with a well-attended press conference for over 30 journalists from key architect, design and trade publications, and included a design-focused conversation with our Chief Design Officer Roberto Palomba and long-standing design partner Robin Levien.
In the evening, customers, architects, developers, interior designers and other guests joined our colleagues to celebrate the official opening and enjoy tours of the new showroom.
Stephen said: “The showroom, which allows specifiers, designers and architects to share ideas and develop together, is an important step towards better understanding the needs of today and the demands of tomorrow.
"It has a crucial role to play in engaging with all customers on the specification journey and we now need to bring the centre alive with customers and deliver benefit for the UK business and wider group as a result of this important investment."
Torsten commented: “For over two centuries, we’ve been focused on Innovation and Design to make life better for our customers.
“Working closely together with architects, designers, urban planners and construction companies, we want to positively shape the future of modern living.
“This latest flagship Design and Specification Centre in the heart of London’s creative hub was created with exactly this philosophy in mind and we look forward to welcoming all of our customers and partners.”
UK Marketing Director Katie Cope said: "Since we signed the lease back in November it has been a huge effort by so many people around the business to create this excellent location for us all to use.
"In March we moved on site and delivered a rapid 10-week build programme on time.
"We would like to recognise the core team that demonstrated phenomenal team work, creativity and determination throughout – Bart Sobieszczanski, Yiota Toumba, Lindsey Sevier-White, Stephen Tomney and Paul Tate – thank you."
See the picture special for more images of the events.