Design Trending: An Interview with Gray Uhl Director of Design, Americas Bath & Kitchen American Standard
Gray Uhl is Director of Design for American Standard, Porcher and JADO brands, overseeing development of new products for the North American market. With a B.S. in industrial design, Gray has spent the last 19 years at American Standard creating innovative, and award winning, fixtures and faucets that have been recognized both nationally and worldwide. Gray is a frequent guest speaker on design issues for the interior design and kitchen/bath industries and is an active member in leading design trade groups.
Q: Any particular American lifestyle trends that prompted the new design styles introduced by the American Standard Brand companies?
A: The current state of the American economy has certainly affected how we look at design and what the consumer is interested in. In times of economic downturn there tends to be a move towards more contemporary design. If consumers are feeling wary, they surround themselves with styles that are more updated and give them a more optimistic, positive view. Consumers select products that give them a hopeful attitude for the future.
Q: The Asian influence is reflected across your company's brands with the Green Tea (American Standard) and Equility (Porcher) collections. Why this particular style?
A: With the growing concern about climate change and the increase in the environmental movement, there is a psychological belief that Asian design is more conservation oriented. Asian design just has a greener feel to it, with bamboo and the other natural materials that arise from this Oriental influence.
Q: "Minimalism" is a design theme prevalent in the new Porcher Epic line. What inspired this design direction?
A: Minimalism has grown out of European design style. It started out as very simple, with basic geometric form. It is evolving now into a more complex, more sculptural form - it's an ongoing trend.
Q: Wenge is an African hardwood known for its distinctive grain. Why this choice for Porcher bath furnishings?
A: The Wenge (pronounced Ven-ge) wood works well in combination with the European minimalist style. It is a very sophisticated look that complements these simple shapes.
Q: The home bath as a spa experience continues to be in demand. Why do you think consumers are willing to indulge in these luxury whirlpools and air baths?
A: The home spa is very important, with the busy lifestyles we have today. We would love to go to a spa for a weekend escape, but don't have the time for it. So the hour or two to escape in our home spa is extremely valuable. It's not about the money to buy the home spa fixtures. It's all about buying time, for ourselves.
Q: What are some distinctive features that American Standard offers with its in-home spa line?
A: One obvious advantage is our exclusive EverCleanŽ inside all the circulating piping of our air baths and whirlpools. EverClean incorporates a patented silver-ion additive right into the circulation piping to inhibit growth of unsightly mold, mildew, algae and fungus on the pipes. Another feature is the deep soak tub aspect with its uniquely engineered overflow design that provides the ultimate luxury in bathing. With our showers, consumers can receive a very satisfying bathing experience while using less water. And of course, the Porcher line uses natural materials like bamboo and granite, which make them distinctive and very desirable.
Q: How was Porcher able to turn volcanic Italian slate into finely crafted bath furnishings? It seems so incredibly creative.
A: We were able to use this remarkable material and apply the latest CNC technology (computer numeric control) to cut sophisticated shapes so precisely out of the stone. Slate is such a luxurious material, but yet a bit unusual, too. It's so smooth, like leather. It has an amazing tactile finish. It's incredible to have found this volcanic slate and to have created these unique bath furnishings from it.
Q: Porcher's Epoque Nouveau clawfoot bathtub generated a lot of attention at the 2008 KBIS show. What makes this tub so special?
A: The Epoque Nouveau is a classic cast-iron claw-foot tub. Older style designs like this are still in high demand, and fewer companies are making them today.
Q: The Savina collection offers traditional styling, but with a difference. Can you explain that?
A: This ties into the contemporary styling that give consumers a more optimistic look toward the future. Savina has a more tailored look and is less ornate, reflecting that more simplistic style.
Q: How would you compare the newly launched products from Porcher and JADO to the classic American Standard lines?
A: The Porcher and JADO styles are more intense, strong designs, with a distinctive character. They have a niche audience, more exclusive, with less general mass appeal. The American Standard products satisfy the widest possible audience with their classic design appeal.
Q: As Director of Design for American Standard, how do you get inspired for design styles for new collections? How do you keep from having collections look too much the same?
A: The Color Marketing Group is an extremely valuable resource for me because designers come together from all different industries to discuss future trends. Industries like automotive provide ideas since people interact physically with their cars as much as their bathrooms. We, of course, do all types of formalized consumer research to gain insight. We also follow social trends, ask people how they feel about products in their lives, how they use them, what their needs are. From there we figure out what products will fulfill those needs.
Q: The American Standard brand is called "Style That Works Better." What does this adage mean to you?
A: The critical thing to me is performance, then style. If our products work well (always flush, not leak, etc.) the customer will come to know that they can always count on us to perform - they won't worry about our products. Our products should outperform all others and provide style at the same time. They should delight our customers every single day.
Q: The green movement and consumer concern about the environment have been front and center. How does American Standard accommodate this societal demand for water efficiency - but still create aesthetically attractive products?
A: Our engineering staff does constant research and uses sophisticated engineering equipment to achieve and improve product performance while continuing to conserve water. The end result is that consumers can choose products that benefit the environment with no compromise to themselves in regards to performance.
Q: What's the latest trend with finishes in upscale bath furnishings?
A: With our JADO brand, the trend is towards warmer metal finishes. More variations of nickel, with bronzed, antique and polished versions. Also bronze is a warm metal and can be blackened, polished, antiqued as well.
Q: How does color play into this?
A: With fixtures (i.e., toilets, tubs, showers) there is a very, very strong movement towards neutrals. That is, white, off-white and black. The reason is that the fixtures don't need to provide the color in the bathroom because all the other components in the room do. There is so much available with bath furnishings, in things like wood, metal, glass, tile, fabric, paint and such that can give color to the room setting.
Q: So, what's your favorite among the new styles and options from Porcher and JADO?
A: I really like the Porcher Equility line - it's so sophisticated and positive at the same time.
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