With more than 30 years of history supplying and supporting commercial interior design across the Middle East, Kohler is once again helping to celebrate the region’s design industry as a Gold Sponsor of the CID Awards: MENA 2023.
“We share a common purpose with the design and architectural community of creating a better tomorrow,” says Alan Orchard, Kohler’s Commercial Director ME & SSA. “We, along with the creators, serve and champion creators in pursuit of a better tomorrow, defined by spaces, experiences and impact that make us proud as human beings.”
The company is celebrating an incredible 150 years in business, having had a strong influence on the design industry across the globe and a proud presence across the Middle East in more recent years.
Supporting the CID Awards
Getting behind the 17th annual Commercial Interior Design Awards: MENA, the team at Kohler say it’s a natural fit. “Design and creativity are the instruments of our innovation. We are a community of creators serving a community of creators,” says Orchard. “This collaboration organically fits with this philosophy and is aligned with our endeavour to champion the creators throughout the Middle East and the world.”
With a company focus on being bold in design, Kohler appreciates the innovative design that is showcased on the night. “These awards are a way to be inspired from the past to build a colourful future,” Orchard adds. “Something that we are doing well at Kohler as well while bringing back two heritage colors, celebrating our rich innovative history. Since Kohler first brought colour into the kitchen and bathroom in 1927, the expression of colour has transformed these spaces and continues to be timeless.”
What’s new at Kohler?
This year marked a busy year for Kohler, and there are no signs of slowing down. “2023 and 2024 are exciting years for us as we are launching collections in our, now iconic, artist editions, reliving heritage products in the The Bold Colors of Kohler and are expanding diversity in design languages in faucets, introducing new finishes and integrating technology seamlessly in our products,” says Orchard.
“The Salute artist edition is a round glass vessel that takes cues from a champagne coup glass, The Yepsen glass sink is reminiscent of the carved textures on marble and architectural facades and Aureus Artist Edition sink features bold veins and subtle hints of gold, finding inspiration in both the natural veining pattern of marble and Kintsukuroi, the process of fixing pottery with gold, silver, or platinum,” he adds.
“Furthermore, we have the Purist Suspend Kitchen Faucet that suspends from the ceiling, Occasion Bathroom Collection reminiscent of golden-age of Hollywood, and the Stillness Infinity Experience bath. Throughout the year, users and designers can also experience new finishes such as Brushed French Gold.”
50 Years of Kohler Arts/Industry
Next year, Kohler marks the 50 year anniversary of the of the Arts/Industry program. A unique collaboration between the John Michael Kohler Arts Center and Kohler Co, the residency program is administered by the John Michael Kohler Arts Center and hosted and funded by Kohler Co.
“Working to create connection between these worlds of art and industry, Kohler launched the Arts/Industry artist residency program in 1974. Unparalleled in reputation, the international residency has hosted over 500 artists from over 25 countries. The artist’s work side-by-side with Kohler Associates and actively engage the factory’s pottery, foundry, enamel and plating facilities,” says Orchard.
Celebrations aren’t all that’s instore for the manufacturing giant though. “You can expect a lot of collaborations coming to fruition next year, in fact beginning later this year,” says Orchard. “For example, we will soon introduce one collection with Studio McGee. McGee & Co is a New York Times bestseller and known for the Netflix’s Dream Home Makeover series.”