Offering a one-stop solution for sanitaryware and surfaces that turn an average golf club into a luxurious sports and leisure retreat, RAK Ceramics has helped transform the Cambridge Country Club into a health and wellness destination, as part of a multi-million-pound development.
Partnering with interior architect May Fawzy of MF Studio, RAK Ceramics supplied surfaces and sanitaryware for use throughout the newly built Country Club. Making first impressions count, large format Calacatta Gold tiles feature in the venue’s main entrance and reception area.
“The selection of finishes was meticulously aligned with the original brief, emphasizing the creation of a premium space for club users,” explains Fawzy. “We carefully handpicked materials and textures that not only met our aesthetic aspirations but also embodied enduring quality.”
RAK Ceramics surfaces feature throughout the location, from the RAK Revive floor tiles in the lavish spa and shower rooms and nature-inspired flooring in the bar and restaurant to RAK Detroit metallic finish tiles in the pool area and changing rooms and porcelain flooring and countertops in the golf shop.
Sanitaryware from the leading brand also features, with the designer collection RAK-Petit floorstanding washbasins featuring in the WCs and the public bathrooms all finished with RAK-Precious basins teamed with matt black brassware. “Our objective was to source products that seamlessly merged aesthetics with durability,” continues Fawzy. “We pursued a minimalist design infused with a touch of opulence, a quest that led us to the exquisite offerings within the RAK Ceramics collection.”
Commenting on the finished project, the club’s General Manager, Ben Evans, says: “The new club was created for the Cambourne community, which until now has lacked anything like it in terms of leisure facilities. It’s quickly become a go-to lifestyle destination for our members and their families.”
About RAK Ceramics Ltd
RAK Ceramics products feature in some of the most iconic buildings in the world. Known for a wide product range and the ability to produce bespoke solutions for both small and large scale projects, RAK Ceramics enable clients to bring their ideas to life. They respect, inspire, improve and deliver; today, tomorrow, no matter the ambition, no matter the challenge, RAK Ceramics take care of all the details, so you don’t have to. Their passion and expertise combined with a careful attention to detail means they can provide you with a range of integrated ceramics solutions, allowing you freedom to be creative and plenty of room for imagination.
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Are you an up-and-coming designer? A current student or recent graduate in design, architecture or similar? Introducing We Build Marvels: an open design competition by RAK Ceramics.
RAK Ceramics, founded in 1989 and headquartered in the United Arab Emirates, is one of the biggest ceramic brands in the world – selling 118 million square metres of tiles and 5.7 million pieces of sanitaryware per year. RAK Ceramics helps to build marvels, with its products featuring in some of the most iconic buildings in the world, from the Burj Khalifa in Dubai to the 02 Arena in London.
This competition encourages entrants to celebrate that prestige through a creative design proposal.
– Put together a design proposal for a physical piece of art that you will make, using products from the RAK Ceramics Surfaces catalogue and/or Bathroom catalogue. – The artwork size must not exceed 1m wide x 2m tall. – The theme of the artwork must be inspired by ‘We Build Marvels’ and RAK Ceramics would like it to celebrate the origins of the brand. – Make sure the proposal is detailed and demonstrates originality, innovation and creativity. – Submit your design proposal using the online form by 12th April 2024.
RAK Ceramics will announce three finalists on 12th April 2024. If you’re a finalist, you’ll be sent the proposed materials and will have a 4-week window to make your art. You’ll then be invited to bring your art to the RAK Ceramics Design Hub before Clerkenwell Design Week (21st to 23rd May 2024).
The winner will be chosen during the event and the winning piece will be displayed in the window for three months. In addition, the winner will receive £1,000, with 2nd place getting £300 and 3rd place getting £200.
1. All entrants must be aged 18 years or above. 2. All entrants must be UK-based. 3. All entrants must be either a current student in further education or someone who has graduated within the last year. 4. Entrants cannot be associated with RAK Ceramics in any way. 5. All entries to be submitted by 12th April 2024 via the online form. 6. The judges are looking for an original idea in the proposal. Please do not submit a piece of work that is a copy of another artist’s image. 7. You can use other materials for your art, but RAK Ceramics products must be predominantly used and celebrated. 8. By entering this competition and if chosen as a finalist, you must be able to transport your piece of art to the RAK Ceramics Design Hub in London before Clerkenwell Design Week 2024 – and agree to it being on display. It will also be photographed for promotional purposes, such as social media.
Porcelain and ceramics are the go-to surfaces for kitchens and bathrooms and now solutions for all spaces can be found in one dedicated resource, with the launch of the new Surfaces brochure for 2024 from RAK Ceramics.
RAK Ceramics gives porcelain perfection and limitless imagination with unique and inspiring products that realistically resemble natural materials. The new brochure, spanning 132 pages can be browsed in various ways – alphabetically, by look and by size – making it an important reference tool for retailers and designers whether seeking inspiration for their next project or to place an order with full specification details.
Style-wise the brochure features quality, highly durable porcelain surfaces that emulate the key trends in interior design, including marble, metal, concrete, stone and wood. These include Maximus slabs that provide seamless consistency when used over large areas such as feature walls.
For the kitchen, retailers can browse the RAK Ceramics countertop collection – the next generation of large format tiles that are versatile and highly technical, featuring through-body veining – while the range of ceramic wall tiles is just as innovative, meeting the latest trends and achieving original and eye-catching aesthetic results, with a wide range of structures and colours: from the latest pastel tones to the most intense material effects.
Surfaces for outdoor spaces also feature in the new brochure, with a range of sustainable and adaptable porcelain tiles suitable for redesigning and revamping gardens, patios, terraces or driveways.
The product guide includes technical features of each range, maintenance details and tile-laying recommendations. Download a copy of the RAK Ceramics Surfaces Brochure 2024 here or call 01730 237850 to request a printed copy.
About RAK Ceramics
RAK Ceramics products feature in some of the most iconic buildings in the world. Known for a wide product range and the ability to produce bespoke solutions for both small and large scale projects, RAK Ceramics enable clients to bring their ideas to life. They respect, inspire, improve and deliver; today, tomorrow, no matter the ambition, no matter the challenge, RAK Ceramics take care of all the details, so you don’t have to.
Level up bathroom design with RAK-Ischia from RAK Ceramics, a brassware collection that is understatedly elegant. Available in four on-trend finishes, RAK-Ischia can be chosen to create a cohesive look throughout the bathroom, from the basin to the bath, with a comprehensive collection where function meets style.
The basin mixer can be chosen in tall, medium and standard sizes, making it simple to combine it with any style of washbasin, while a wall-mounted version is also available. Complete the look with bath shower mixer and thermostatic concealed and exposed shower valves.
The simplistic styling of RAK-Ischia is ideal for minimal bathroom designs where less is more, with a straightforward single lever to make operation simple and cleaning a breeze. Aptly designed for a high standard of functionality and longevity, the brassware is made from top quality materials and graced with a luxurious finish.
The single lever, deck mounted installation needs at least 0.5 Bar water pressure for flawless flow. The RAK-Ischia brassware can be chosen in Chrome, Nickel, Black or Gold.
Ensure the mirror is a good reflection of the overall style and décor of the bathroom with RAK-Picture from RAK Ceramics, a versatile option available in a choice of shapes and frame finishes.
An all-important part of any design, RAK-Picture takes this must-have bathroom accessory to a new level, combining style with technology to turn the mirror into a focal point of the space. In Round, Oval, Soft and Square versions, the mirror can also be chosen in a variety of frame finishes, Black, Brushed Nickel, Brushed Gold and Chrome. This makes it ideal for matching with brassware and shower hardware, for a cohesive look that maximises on the sale.
Technology comes in the form of LED lighting, a demister pad and touch-sensor activation, all discreetly built-in to the mirror to take care of the practicalities of using the bathroom.
Located visibly on the mirror, the touch-sensor strip is operational with wet and dry touch, while the low energy consumption LED lighting provides more consistent light when it’s needed, while reducing the household’s carbon footprint.
Those taking part in the Clerkenwell Design Trail from 4th to 5th October can see the one-of-a-kind hidden induction cooking system, CookingRAK, in action at the RAK Ceramics Design Hub at 100 St John Street.
A kitchen worksurface that doubles as a cooking area, seamlessly, CookingRAK features an induction hob is concealed in an ultra-durable porcelain surface, taking the kitchen from meal preparation to social space effortlessly. Also on display at the Design Hub for the duration of the Clerkenwell Design Trail are the latest RAK Ceramics surfaces, brassware and sanitaryware.
Drop in for inspiration and refreshments at 100 St John Street, EC1M 4EH.
SBID Members receive 2 x CPD points for attending!
A kitchen worksurface that doubles as a cooking area, seamlessly, CookingRAK features an induction hob is concealed in an ultra-durable porcelain surface, taking the kitchen from meal preparation to social space effortlessly.
This hidden induction cooking system creates a stylish impression in the modern kitchen, combining the high-performance of RAK Ceramics porcelain slabs, with the latest in induction cooking for professional results. The surface itself – available in six styles and a range of colour schemes to suit any décor, is perfect for the busy kitchen environment – resistant to heat, stains and scratches.
Also on display at the Design Hub for the duration of the Clerkenwell Design Trail are the latest RAK Ceramics surfaces, brassware and sanitaryware. Drop in for inspiration and refreshments at 100 St John Street, EC1M 4EH.
Straight-line geometry is having a moment in bathroom design, a trend embodied by the latest additions to the designer RAK-Petit collection of washbasins from RAK Ceramics, now available in square.
Creating a sense of orderliness and simplicity, the straight lines and square profile of the new washbasins in this stylish shape are available in a floorstanding or countertop version in striking Alpine White ceramic. Standing at a tall 900mm high, the floorstanding RAK-Petit Square washbasin is an excellent space-saver in en-suites and cloakrooms where floor space is at a premium, while the countertop version is half as tall yet equally as arresting in appearance.
Created for RAK Ceramics by renowned Italian designer Giuseppe Maurizio Scutellà, RAK-Petit is a collection of small washbasins designed with small spaces in mind. With minimal shapes and small dimensions, the collection includes deep-based washbasins that can be installed alone or combined with RAK-Joy vanity units.
The striking translucent porcelain surface Luce by RAK Ceramics has been named Best Kitchen Surface at the prestigious Livingetc Style Awards 2023. Standing out to the judges among the numerous outstanding entries received, just as it does when chosen for the kitchen, Luce emerged as the deserving recipient.
A stunning centrepiece for any interior design project, Luce by RAK Ceramics is a porcelain surface that simply amazes, and even more so when enhanced with backlighting technology. The extra-large format ‘mega slab’ makes installation straightforward over larger areas, such as open-plan kitchen/living spaces. This is a material that is also highly practical, easy to care for and scratch and stain resistant, making it suitable for use on kitchen island units, for example.
The translucent body of Luce is made with a very high purity of raw materials containing special and high-quality clays and minerals. When illuminated, a soft glow is created, transforming the design from a plain tile to a soft natural marble, perfect for carrying the room through from the practicalities of daytime family life to a more sociable ambience after dark. The range includes seven different graphics and colours in marble and onyx effect, that replicate the natural ability of the stones to filter the light.
The Livingetc Style Awards hold great significance as they celebrate brands that resonate with the publication’s design-conscious audience who turn to the title for inspiration and to make well-informed, stylish choices.
Visit 100 St John Street, London, during Clerkenwell Design Week from May 23 to 25 to see the latest bathroom and kitchen launches from RAK Ceramics.
On display at the Design Hub are new ranges of surfaces, brassware and sanitaryware, all designed to create luxurious yet highly practical modern living spaces.
One of the striking bathroom displays at the Hub showcases the RAK Ceramics Designer Collection by Patrick Norguet, RAK-Valet. This is a range composed of functional elements – available in matt and glossy finishes – that serve as veritable valets and hand us the objects of our daily wellbeing via functional surfaces and stylistic solutions of great visual impact: decorative forms with slender profiles for the washbasins, top-notch stylistic research for the bathtubs, elongated lines for the toilet bowls.
For the kitchen there is CookingRAK – a one-of-a-kind hidden induction cooking system, creating a stylish impression and professional results.
Designed to create a multi-functional kitchen space ideal for daily use, the system is integrated into the countertop, opening possibilities for users to prepare, cook and dine in the same space; a seamlessly designed kitchen top made for dining and entertaining. The technology combines the high-performance of RAK Ceramics porcelain slabs, with an innovative induction system that operates through a magnetic field. Porcelain has always been the ideal choice for kitchen countertops as they are made of a durable material resistant to heat, stain, and scratch. They are also resistant to moisture and do not easily stain, making them easier to clean.
CookingRAK is exclusively produced with RAK Ceramics porcelain slabs in 14.5mm thickness and 135.5×305 cm size. The slabs can withstand high temperatures and with a surface hardness that resists scratching and staining. They are also an ideal material for kitchen countertops as they are very hygienic, food-safe, and less likely to harbour moulds and bacteria. To conveniently locate the cooking zones on the countertop, the RAK Ceramics slabs can be customised to add special markings in six modifications that will suit any kitchen style.
Staying with surfaces, visitors to the Design Hub can also view the stunning Metamorfosi collection, a decorative porcelain surface that will make an eye-catching impression for any interior. Metamorfosi is a large-format surface, available in two sizes – 120x260cm and 120x120cm. Inspired by the colours and shapes found in nature and responding to this important interior design trend, Metamorfosi is highly durable and splash resistant, just as porcelain should be, yet visually striking in its appeal, with several design options to choose from
An important destination on the Clerkenwell Design Week tour, the RAK Ceramics Design Hub at 100 St John Street, Clerkenwell is one of the largest in the area, with 7,276 square feet over two floors. The space gives visitors to the area the opportunity to explore the possibilities of choosing RAK Ceramics for their projects.
Designed to be an interactive and immersive environment to inspire creativity, the Design Hub includes a working kitchen display, working tap display, Virtual Worlds 4D Theatre and a Grab and Go sample area. New product launches are given their debut at the Design Hub, the company’s Mega Slab Maximus surfaces are highlighted, along with inspiring bathroom displays. The Design Hub also hosts seminars and events throughout the year and offers meeting spaces for designers and architects.
RAK Ceramics is one of the largest ceramics’ brands in the world. Specialising in ceramic and grès porcelain wall and floor tiles, tableware, sanitaryware and faucets, the company has the capacity to produce 123 million square metres of tiles, 5 million pieces of sanitaryware, 24 million pieces of porcelain tableware and 1 million pieces of faucets per year at its 22 state-of-the-art plants across the United Arab Emirates, India and Bangladesh.
Patrick Norguet is an essential figure on the international design scene. Drawing inspiration from everything that surrounds him, Norguet does not follow trends but seeks to give shape to products whose relevance and modernity would withstand the test of time.
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