This February, bathroom design brand GROHE hosted a thought-provoking debut panel discussion at its newly opened London Specification Hub exploring the topic “Can enjoyment of water ever be truly sustainable?”. The panel was chaired and moderated by renowned interior journalist Elspeth Pridham, while guest experts included:

Patrick Speck, LXIL’s Global Design Lead, Wan-Sheong Yau, Architect at Studio Moren; and Hayley Roy, Commercial Interior Designer at Harp Design.

For GROHE, sustainability is more than just a goal – it is a responsibility and part of the brand’s DNA. By engaging industry leaders and decision-makers in thoughtful discussions around sustainability and water scarcity, GROHE seeks to encourage conscious specification and lead by example to champion change.

Hayley Roy (pictured left) initiated the discussion, noting, “The true enjoyment of water is a luxury, and we often take advantage of that luxury when we’re not at home. There’s an underlying mindset that in commercial settings such as hotels conscious water usage isn’t a priority as you’re not paying the bill. It’s been found that on average a hotel has 3 times the water usage than that seen in a domestic setting, with the majority of usage coming from guest rooms.”

Wan-Sheong Yau (pictured top) added to the discussion, highlighting the enjoyment of water has a lot to do with location and accessibility “A luxurious multi-spray shower in a hotel room is often considered a standard essential, however if you take even the most basic of showers and place them in a first-class lounge on an aeroplane then that shower becomes a new level of privilege and luxury, with true enjoyment.”

The panel also explored the wider industry shift towards circularity and the need for greener specification —from sustainable material choices to waste reduction in the manufacturing industry.

Patrick Speck emphasised the need for innovation continuity and enhanced education when it comes to resource-saving products: “Sustainability and having luxury should not be seen as mutually exclusive. There are now many products available that enhance daily routines while minimising their environmental impact. Features like our SilkMove ES technology, which reduces unnecessary energy use, and our water-recycling shower concept, Everstream, are proof that innovation can drive real change. We’re continuing to drive education and fight the common misconception that low-flow showers and bathroom fittings provide a sub-standard experience. Users can have it all with a luxurious experience that also helps to save water, and we see it as our job to drive this change in mindset”