Press release -
A New Chapter, A Lasting Vision: Roberto Palomba and Ideal Standard
Renowned architect and designer continues to lead Ideal Standard’s creative direction within the Villeroy & Boch Group
Ideal Standard, part of the Villeroy & Boch Group, has renewed Roberto Palomba’s role as Chief Design Officer. The continued collaboration with the renowned architect and designer underscores the Group’s commitment to building on Ideal Standard’s design-led success and strengthening its global position as a benchmark in approachable contemporary design.
Since 2018, Palomba and his Milan-based studio, Palomba Serafini Associati, have defined Ideal Standard’s contemporary design DNA. Renowned for his human-centred approach, Palomba draws on the brand’s rich heritage while responding to the evolving demands of modern life and shifting customer needs. His design ethos centres on creating enduring products that seamlessly blend form and function, delivering lasting value and timeless relevance.
Ideal Standard’s commitment to groundbreaking design is evident throughout its history. The brand has a distinguished legacy of collaboration with visionary designers such as Achille Castiglioni, who created the Linda and Aquatonda series; Paolo Tilche, designer of the iconic Conca basin; and Gae Aulenti and Mario Bellini, whose work across architecture and industrial design has left a lasting mark on modern design culture. Palomba’s leadership builds on this heritage while simultaneously pushing the boundaries of bathroom design for a new era.
Now part of the Villeroy & Boch Group, Ideal Standard embarks on a new chapter while remaining committed to its modern, architecturally inspired design language. Combining contemporary aesthetics, performance-driven technology and expert manufacturing, the brand continues to deliver distinctive, durable bathroom solutions for the smart premium segment. With its strong design heritage, the Group’s enhanced innovation capabilities, and a clear vision for the future, Ideal Standard is perfectly positioned to further expand its leading role in international bathroom industry.
Speaking about his continued partnership with the brand, Roberto Palomba explains:
"I embrace this opportunity because it allows me to focus on what matters most to me: good design. I’ve always believed that design should be a right, not a luxury. My goal is to create high-quality objects that are accessible to a broad audience – a philosophy deeply ingrained in Ideal Standard’s history and culture. That’s why I’m here.
Today, my work centres on a question that is both simple and complex: what does it truly mean to create democratic quality? The challenge ahead lies in establishing the principles that will guide us, transforming the ideal of democratic design into a tangible and measurable reality."
“Building on Ideal Standard’s strong design heritage, our objective is to establish the brand globally as the leading name for approachable contemporary design,” said Sven Ullrich, Executive Vice President Marketing, R&D and Product Management at Villeroy & Boch. “We have ambitious plans for the future and a clear vision of where we want to take the brand. Roberto Palomba’s creative leadership and deep understanding of the bathroom space have been key in shaping Ideal Standard’s distinctive identity — and will continue to play an important role in driving its growth and success.”
Among Palomba’s latest creations, La Dolce Vita® – part of the award-winning Atelier Collections – perfectly captures his distinctive design philosophy. Drawing inspiration from the iconic Zeta basin of the 1950s, he reinterprets its tapered silhouette as a contemporary signature, combining timeless aesthetics with Italian flair and intelligent functionality.
Equally, the i.life collection – with its latest addition, i.life O – demonstrates how smart, versatile solutions can adapt to every lifestyle, making good design accessible regardless of a bathroom’s size or layout.
Under Palomba’s continued creative leadership, Ideal Standard is reaffirming its position as a defining design voice in the bathroom sector, delivering relevant, human-centred solutions for modern living.
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The Villeroy & Boch Group is one of the global leaders in premium dining & lifestyle, as well as bathroom and wellness products. Founded in 1748 and headquartered in Mettlach, Germany, the company stands for innovation, design and quality. With its two main brands Villeroy & Boch and Ideal Standard, the Group has about 12.000 employees and is present in around 140 countries worldwide.
