Luxury new build projects such as Dryden Court, developed by Runnymede Homes, must deliver outstanding bathroom aesthetics and best-in-class components to meet buyer expectations. In collaboration with Hansgrohe, the boutique development has also utilised high-specification furniture and innovating ceramic solutions to create memorable bathroom havens of style and distinction. Read on to find out more…
Runnymede Homes’ Dryden Court development in Guildford, Surrey encompasses four inspiring townhouses, in four- and fivebedroom configurations. The development has been thoughtfully designed with high quality fittings and finishes throughout, ideal for buyers who are looking for homes that are ready for them to move in to – including families, those looking to downsize or move out of London, and professional couples. The townhouse’s have up to 6 bathrooms, comprising 1-2 cloakrooms as well as stylish and bespoke ensuites, large family bathrooms, and guest bathrooms to ensure that showering and bathing experiences underpin a sense of luxury and comfort.
Laurence Manning, Operations Director at Runnymede Homes, says that discerning buyers have high expectations, which must be matched in all aspects of the design and build.
He said: “Our clients are expecting high quality finishes, guaranteed component performance and visual impact that will impress them and their guests. These are the founding design pillars for all the bathroom specification decisions made for this striking residential project.”
These client priorities are also why Runnymede chose to specify a range of Hansgrohe products – from its premium brands hansgrohe and AXOR – for the bathrooms. This includes the high-quality showers and brassware both brands are known for, as well as Hansgrohe’s recently launched bathroom furniture and ceramics offering – incorporating stylish vanity units, basins, and toilets.
Each of the bathrooms within the four properties have distinctive designs, including the concealed shower solutions that underpin Runnymede’s exacting design and finish standards when it comes to looks and performance.
Other specification choices at Dryden Court also support design ambitions to generate a cohesive bathroom space vision. Laurence continues: “We fully appreciate the well-deserved reputation Hansgrohe has for quality and design excellence.
Recognition of the brand is high, and it made sense to extend our specification to include integrated and complementary furniture and ceramics for Dryden Court.”
Single supply for design-led bathroom furniture and ceramics
Making a decision to expand into ceramic and furniture last year, Hansgrohe launched its full suite of solutions at the ISH trade fair in Germany in 2023. Emma Freeman, Brand and Communications Manager for Hansgrohe UK says: “For some developers, specifying relatively new products for a high-end development might be seen as a risk.
However, Runnymede Homes recognised instantly that when we decided to extend our product range to include furniture, ceramics, and mirrors, we took the same rigorous approach to R&D that we apply to our existing offering of basin mixers, shower systems, drains and accessories, to ensure we provided customers with the same robustness and high-quality finishes.”
Laurence adds: “Having chosen showers and taps from both Hansgrohe brands – hansgrohe and AXOR – previously, our specification team had no hesitation in extending the design relationship into other areas such as bathroom furniture and accompanying ceramics.
“I personally visited the Hansgrohe Water Studio in London, to take a close look at their range, and was impressed with vanity units and basins on display in terms of overall finish, as well as the extensive range of sizes and customisation options on offer. “I understand that they are primarily known for their high-end showering and brassware solutions, and we have chosen the AXOR One taps throughout the development, but the hansgrohe furniture and ceramic offering really ticked the boxes for both form and function, perfectly complementing the overall look and feel of Dryden Court that we wanted to achieve.”
Dryden Court’s townhouses have adopted a range of hansgrohe furniture and ceramic solutions across the various bathroom layouts, including specification from the brand’s stunning Xevolos and Xelu ranges.
Emma comments: “A key feature of the Xevolos furniture range is interchangeable inlays on the front-facing panels, where customers can choose from various colour and material options to suit their desired bathroom aesthetic. The Xelu Q Standard Vanity and Console ranges also provide customers with four options for surface finishes.” At Dryden Court, neutral shades dominate the colour way choice throughout the bathrooms with the Xelu Q 580 vanity unit in natural oak with chrome handles and the Xevolos E 580 vanity unit in sand matt beige, creating ample storage, clutter-free and a co-ordinated bathroom ambience demanded by clients.
Laurence continues: “We pay as much attention to furniture and ceramics when creating exceptional bathroom spaces as we do when considering the showering solutions to be included in our developments. Storage solutions ensure that the space is clutter free and this is central to delivering clean visuals and a ‘wow’ factor for our clients.”
Across the development, the furniture solutions have also been complemented by the ceramic choices. Xelu Q, Xevolos E, and Xuniva each offer distinctive ceramic washbasins, delivering a range of shapes and innovative design touches to underscore the individual character of the townhouses. Alongside the considered furniture, the washbasins form a harmonious unit both visually and functionally.
Laurence comments: “We love the way every hansgrohe item matches perfectly. Our colour scheme choices have the buyer in mind, and we feel the neutral shade options made at Dryden Court provides a perfect balance of distinction and excitement.”
In addition to basin ceramics, Runnymede also opted to include hansgrohe’s EluPura original toilets to fit seamlessly into the broad design overview. The wall hung toilet is a sustainable choice as well, using an optimised internal geometry for efficient flushing with only 4.5 litres per flush with a suitable flush tank. This compares to an average toilet flush of six litres. Perfectly suiting the washbasin, furniture and accessory choices, the EluPura follows the hansgrohe design DNA to deliver a complete and holistic bathroom look.
Due to be completed later this year, Dryden Court is the epitome of luxury townhouse living for discerning buyers. A combination of timeless aesthetics, unrivalled component functionality and long-term performance assurance, means all four of the properties deliver a best-inclass bathroom experience.
As Laurence Manning concludes: “Hansgrohe has been the perfect partner for the luxury Dryden Court development. We set standards of excellence for our new builds and every aspect has to be perfect to meet the expectations of our clients. “I am delighted to say that the memorable bathrooms we have created with Hansgrohe’s assistance have exceeded these expectations in an impressive and design-led manner. Every detail, from showers and taps to the furniture and ceramics, blend seamlessly, creating individual, relaxing and high performing bathroom havens for our valued clients.”
