Clever design with the latest technology: Universal Design Award 2018 for O.novo Kids

Clever design with the latest technology:

Universal Design Award 2018 for O.novo Kids

A grown-up world for little heroes – the O.novo Kids bathroom collection from Villeroy & Boch won over the Universal Design Award 2018 juries twice: with the Universal Design Consumer Award and the Universal Design Expert Award, the new state-of-the-art children's collection won both prizes awarded by the respective Expert and Consumer juries. Many of the ideas for O.novo Kids originated from a crowdsourcing campaign carried out by Villeroy & Boch together with the global crowdstorm platform jovoto. The products consider children's needs and capabilities in relation to the use of toilets and washing facilities while incorporating the practical experience of nursery school teachers and the requirements of project planners and decision-makers.

One of the highlights of O.novo Kids is the new multiple washbasin installation with trap covers, the first ceramic product on the market to feature three areas with three different heights and depths over a continuous length of 130 cm. The wash basin encourages children to wash their hands on their own as they intuitively choose the most suitable height for their size. The collection also includes child-friendly toilets: The floor-standing toilet for toddlers with its ergonomically shaped, soft foam seat ring, available in either red or blue, allows even the smallest children to sit safely and comfortably on the toilet. In addition, the children's first ever DirectFlush toilet with its innovative, rimless design allows particularly fast and thorough cleaning. The matching toilet seat is available in three versions: With a large seat ring, a combination of a large and small seat ring, and with or without a lid. This allows children to decide without the aid of an adult which seat is the best for them. The large seat ring has handles at the sides, while the small one has a handle at the front for easy and hygienic opening. Special buffers prevent the large seat from slipping to the side. A coordinated colour concept, developed together with the children, forms part of the collection. With bright shades of blue, yellow and red emerging as the favourites among a test group. The colours brighten up the space and create a pleasant atmosphere for children of all ages.

The future-oriented products, designed to be used for generations, have been honoured with the Universal Design Expert Award. The prize is awarded by the Institute for Universal Design, combining economy, science and society in a socially responsible context.

Thomas Kannengießer, Director Product Management CSW Projects at Villeroy & Boch, is delighted by the great success of the Universal Design Award. “With O.novo Kids, we aim to offer nursery schools, crèches and primary schools genuine added value. Child-friendly shapes and bright colours, equipped with the latest technology, are adapted to the children's needs, bringing a guaranteed feel-good factor.”

Photos are available at:

https://cs.villeroy-boch.com/admin/share/383da62b