LIXIL unveils future of home living at Singapore Experience Center
The focus on health and well-being is spurring a clamour for personalised bathroom spaces.
A global sustainability push and coronavirus pandemic that put sanitation and hygiene issues in focus are driving the demand for home fittings and fixtures that are both eco-friendly and smart.
The exodus of people into cities is also increasing the need for innovative home hygiene solutions that complement and ease their busy lifestyles.
“We see three macro trends that will impact the industry — health and well-being, sustainability, and urbanisation,” Koh Fu Sheng, country leader for Singapore at LIXIL Water Technology, told Singapore Business Review..
The global smart bathroom market size was valued at $7.77b (US$5.96b) in 2023. It is projected to grow from $8.73b (US$6.7b) this year to $20b (US$15.37b) by 2032, or a compound annual growth rate of 10.92%, according to Market Research Future.
Koh said homeowners are increasingly expecting well-designed, highly hygienic solutions, and this trend has led to a growing demand for personalised bathroom spaces.
“As a result, we're seeing increased demand for shower toilets that are equipped with advanced hygiene features,” he pointed out. “Customers are also interested in customising their bathroom design aesthetic or colours to suit their preferences.”
These trends are driving consumers to seek home fittings and fixtures that act as smart, intuitive helpers, simplifying daily routines as the boundaries between bathrooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and living rooms dissolve.
Bathrooms, for example, are evolving into spaces for rejuvenation and relaxation, offering an escape from daily stresses and incorporating spa-like features that enhance both physical and mental well-being.
Tokyo-based LIXIL Group welcomed guests to its Japanese-inspired LIXIL Experience Center (LEC) in the vibrant Joo Chiat neighbourhood in Singapore in August, showcasing cutting-edge water and housing solutions from three of its premier brands — American Standard, GROHE, and INAX — and offering a glimpse into the future of home living.
The 11,000 sq ft building is a curated space that features high-end kitchen and bathroom setups that blend comfort, convenience, and sustainability.
“Each of our power brands’ distinct design language, brand values, and lifestyle appeal are expressed in specially curated spaces and live water experience zones,” Koh said.
Visitors can immerse themselves in a multisensory experience, with dynamic shifts in sounds and scents enhancing the centre’s sophisticated design. Guests can explore luxurious personal spa setups, including the GROHE SPA collections, renowned for their craftsmanship and attention to materials and finishes.
“We curated the LEC in Singapore to inspire, showing water in its many forms and illustrating how our three power brands offer unique solutions across multiple categories to meet the needs and aspirations of diverse lifestyles,” Koh said.
Singapore’s vibrant architecture and design community inspired LIXIL to open the LEC and deepen its ties with industry professionals so it can translate their insights into culturally relevant experiences.
Koh said this helps them create products and solutions that improve quality of life, solve real-world challenges, and increase the value of homes and properties.
“In the near future, guests can look forward to new digital experiences at the LEC, including the LIXIL CustoMy Space tool, which allows users to virtually create and visualise their designs, including viewing them in virtual reality,” he added.