Villeroy & Boch has won the iF Universal Design Award 2016 in Munich with two product concepts: the O.novo Vita washbasins and the O.novo Vita WC and WC seats. The WC and WC seats received the label Universal Design Expert Favorite 2016, the washbasins were honoured in both the Universal Design Expert Favorite and Universal Design Consumer Favorite 2016 categories. The Universal Design expert Michael Schlenke selected the O.novo Vita washbasins and WC to take part in this years competition. This is the third time Villeroy & Boch has competed in the iF Universal Design Award. Michael Schlenke, founder of the consulting company The Caretakers, explains why he selected them, Thanks to the non-stigmatising design by the Villeroy & Boch design team, these O.novo Vita products are highly recommended for cross-generational use in line with the Universal Design criteria. THE AWARD-WINNING O.NOVO VITA PRODUCT CONCEPTS The bathroom is one of the most important rooms in a house and should, therefore, have the appropriate features to meet the individual demands of all of the users. The right design can ensure that all generations can use a WC and washbasin without hindrance, Michael Schlenke emphasises. Villeroy & Boch has developed a concept for washbasins with different variants. The handles at the front are highly visible and offer every user support and security. The second variant has a groove under the washbasin, which users can easily detect by touch. Both variants allow the seated user to pull up - whether older people or wheelchair users. The washbasins are wheelchair-accessible and offer sufficient legroom. Ample shelf space provides plenty of room for necessary utensils. The O.novo Vita WC concept combines a WC with a modular retrofit solution and a WC seat with special features. The recessed groove along the edge of the WC seat lid makes it easy to open and close the lid without having to touch any contaminated areas. The blue, contrasting colour of the WC seat makes orientation easier for users with a visual impairment. Special hinges on the WC seat provide a high level of stability, making it easier for people in a wheelchair to use it. The two O.novo Vita-products had already been given the distinction recommended by Universal Design expert before. It provides architects, building designers and users with an orientation when selecting products that are meant to make life easier and come with various assistance functions.
