Making the Shower Unit a One Piece Installation
In South Africa, a combination of the high and rising cost of mains water, the steep escalation in building costs that has led to correspondingly smaller dwellings together with general convenience have created some preferences with regard to personal hygiene. Today although most bathrooms still have a tub and some may even have a Jacuzzi, the overall preference has shifted sharply in favour of shower units. Recent developments in their design have made possible the manufacture of highly efficient devices as a one piece construction that allows them to be installed quickly and without the need for major building work.
The new approach can be attributed to the local manufacturer whose foresight has been responsible for solving one of the most acutely problematical and annoying features of low cost housing – its bathrooms. Invariably small, they tend to permit only minimal installations consisting of invariably poor yet overpriced units while the plumbing work is usually both of poor quality, intrusive and unsightly. In other situation where and older if somewhat larger bathroom needed to be retro-fitted the building work involved could make this a lengthy and perhaps prohibitively expensive operation.
The company concerned, GEZA developed an innovative modular concept that was designed to overcome all of these problems whilst also reducing both the cost of purchase and fitting and, in early 1999, the concept became reality. A range of modular bathroom furnishings that included baths, hand basins, WCs and shower units assembled and installed as a single one piece module was launched and set to revolutionise bathroom design not just on the local scene but internationally too. Overseas recognition of these innovative products began with nomination as a finalist for the Technology Top 100 Awards of 2000 while, locally, the company achieved wins in the Department of Trade and Industry Innovation Awards for both 2002 and 2003.
What then is it that makes these units so special? Apart from their stunning designs that are guaranteed to enhance the appearance of any bathroom whether brand new or refurbished, their compact construction makes them ideal for use in the more confined spaces that have become typical of today’s apartments and townhouses. Most importantly of all though, is the fact that no wet trades need be involved in the installation of units that are simply riveted directly into position.
Eliminating all need for bricklayers and plasterers means not only lower costs but also mess and a shower unit fully installed and ready for use within the course of a single day. GEZA has also extended this practical and labour-saving concept of one piece, modular structures to the kitchen with its combination sink, fridge and stove module.
