Sloan has donated water- and energy-efficient plumbing products for the restrooms at Benjamin Franklin High School in New Orleans, the Green Schools Showcase during the Greenbuild® 2014 conference. Like many of the schools in New Orleans after sustaining damage during Hurricane Katrina, Benjamin Franklin High School is still trying to rectify certain aspects of the Read more
Kitchen & Bath
Sloan has donated water- and energy-efficient plumbing products for the restrooms at Benjamin Franklin High School in New Orleans, the Green Schools Showcase during the Greenbuild® 2014 conference.
Like many of the schools in New Orleans after sustaining damage during Hurricane Katrina, Benjamin Franklin High School is still trying to rectify certain aspects of the building that were not repaired. Originally built in the 1980s, roughly 50% of the school was damaged by water, which stood for 30 days after the storm. One such project was the impetus to achieve one of the school’s long standing renovation goals: renovating the restrooms adjacent to the auditorium.
“How the renovations to the restrooms adjacent to the auditorium came about was kismet,” says Dr. Timothy Rusnak, CEO/Principal. It goes back to last year when the students, led by Dr. Mary Gubala, biology teacher, and Mr. John Parauka, social studies teacher and activities coordinator and other teachers, participated in the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) Louisiana Chapter’s Louisiana Green School Challenge – a program that aims to educate the public about the benefits of green building and environmental stewardship by participating in hands-on, experiential projects. Franklin was one of nine winning schools out of 40 who competed in the challenge.
In conjunction, Benjamin Franklin High School was chosen as the chapter’s first Green School Showcase where mentors working with schools began soliciting and managing donations. The mentor, Erin Ryerson, an associate at VergesRome Architects and the chairwoman of the Greenbuild Host Committee, was instrumental in directing the renovation – coordinating donations from more than a dozen manufacturers of green building products to Benjamin Franklin High School.
“We benefitted from these chains of events,” says Dr. Rusnak. “Things just came to a sort of confluence. So we were very fortunate.”
Renovating the restrooms consisted of structural changes as well as cosmetic improvements. Because the building is a completely cement structure, it didn’t easily lend itself to construction changes. As such, there were challenges involved including reworking dropping electric lines and reorganizing some of the plumbing.
Sloan SOLIS flushometers were among the products donated that were used to make improvements to two bathrooms – making them water-conserving and energy-efficient. SOLIS flushometers not only reduced water consumption, but also minimized energy use. By switching from 3.5 gpf to a 1.6 gpf toilet flushometers, 54% water reduction is realized; and 83% reduction from 1.5 gpf to 0.25 gpf urinal flushometers. Thus, helping a high-achieving school in one of the city’s more under-resourced school districts become a working model of green building efficiency. “Getting schools and students involved in environmentally-responsible practices brings plumbing innovation into common practice while reducing water consumption as well as lower operating costs and improve indoor learning spaces,” says Parthiv Amin, VP Marketing at Sloan.
“We are extremely grateful to Sloan for lending their expertise and providing superb quality,” says Dr. Rusnak. “It really has opened the building to not only ourselves, but also become more comfortable and inviting for people in the community – sparking a re-interest, oddly enough, in our theatre program.”
May 22, 2015 Effective immediately, Mr. Lloyd Leblanc takes the reins at the Phoenix office of Aquabrass International. The new Sales and Marketing Director brings with him two decades of management and business development experience, including many years in the plumbing industry. Through most of his career, Leblanc has worked with specialized retailers in Read more
May 22, 2015
Effective immediately, Mr. Lloyd Leblanc takes the reins at the Phoenix office of Aquabrass International. The new Sales and Marketing Director brings with him two decades of management and business development experience, including many years in the plumbing industry.
Through most of his career, Leblanc has worked with specialized retailers in the U.S. In 2000, he joined Julien Inc., a leader in commercial kitchen equipment, where he headed the residential division for 10 of his 12-year tenure. Since 2012, Leblanc has worked with clients as a consultant, developing sales strategies for American and European markets.
“Lloyd is an ideal fit with Aquabrass,” said Tony Massechia, Aquabrass CEO. “With his knowledge of the American market and his success in developing new product lines, we look forward to the continuing growth of the Aquabrass and Alt lines in the U.S. under his leadership.”
Lloyd Leblanc can be reached at lleblanc@aquabrass.com.
ABOUT AQUABRASS
Founded in 1986, Aquabrass is a North American manufacturer of bathroom fixtures. Headquartered in Montreal, the company also has offices in Toronto, Vancouver and Phoenix, as well as a new specification office located in the heart of Soho, New York City. Beyond North American markets, Aquabrass products are sold internationally.
Aquabrass manufactures quality bathroom and kitchen solutions, including a wide range of bathroom and kitchen faucet collections, full-body shower systems with steam, chromatherapy and aromatherapy, freestanding bathtubs, sinks, vanities, washbasins and accessories. It is an amazing source of inspirational and made-to- measure products, all of which feature high- performance materials, superb functionality and sleek styling that pleases the senses. Most Aquabrass products are designed for quick and easy installation in new or existing bathrooms of vir- tually any size or style. The company’s plating facility offers 22 special finishes.
Contact – Gaelle Marrasse
T 800-867-8484 ext 454
At the Kitchen and Bath International Show (KBIS), North American bathroom fixture manufacturer Aquabrass premiered AquazoneTM, a revolutionary shower and bath concept, molded into a single, space-saving wet zone unit. With AquazoneTM, Aquabrass delivers the best of both worlds in a new multifunctional and spa-like experience. In addition to optimizing space and enhancing functionality, AquazoneTM Read more
At the Kitchen and Bath International Show (KBIS), North American bathroom fixture manufacturer Aquabrass premiered AquazoneTM, a revolutionary shower and bath concept, molded into a single, space-saving wet zone unit. With AquazoneTM, Aquabrass delivers the best of both worlds in a new multifunctional and spa-like experience.
In addition to optimizing space and enhancing functionality, AquazoneTM is exceptionally cost-efficient.
“It’s a creative solution, and a very logical one,” says Aquabrass CEO Tony Masecchia – the designer of AquazoneTM and an industry specialist with 30 years of new construction experience. “Architects and designers are challenged with designing small dwellings. AquazoneTM lets them make the most of every square inch and every dollar – and still offer their clients a luxury bathroom.”
Reducing time and labor costs while optimizing space and enhancing both customer appeal and resale value makes AquazoneTM truly revolutionary. An AquazoneTM installation can save up to 30 square feet in a typical apartment – a significant advantage, given the high cost of square footage.
THE WET ZONE CONCEPT
An example of synergetic design, this patent- pending wet zone concept offers a sum of experience greater than its parts. A single, molded unit, it needs no bathtub overflow. With all spills captured by the shower’s center-located drain, bathers can enjoy total immersion in the ergonomically sculpted tub. Children are welcome to splash and play – and the family dog to shake. Even seniors will enjoy the easy entry and broad tub ledge, which doubles as a safety-smart shower bench, making AquazoneTM a multi- generational solution that’s sure to enhance resale value. In addition to containing water, the AquazoneTM unit retains warmth, with the shower base providing a post-bath drying zone. Extra width afforded by the bathtub expands shower space. Optional ipe wood panels transform the tub into seating or even a chaise longue for still greater shower luxury, and the AquazoneTM can be fitted with AIRELAXTM spa system, further expanding its hydrotherapy possibilities.
SAVES SPACE, TIME AND MONEY
While expansive in feel due to the shared open area, the AquazoneTM unit requires only 60 by 60 inches of space. North American- built, its strong, one-piece construction is solid Lucite acrylic with a reinforced base. With two integrated wheels and six adjustable levelers, it rolls into place easily, saving time, materials and labor costs.
New Soaking Tubs Offer Elegant, Sculptural Styling and True Design Flexibility; High-Gloss Cast Acrylic Construction Provides Durability; Sized to Fit Comfortably in Most Bathrooms Revel in the simple pleasure and soul-satisfying luxury of a deep soak in the three new freestanding tubs from American Standard. Designed with roomy comfort, yet compact enough to fit in Read more
New Soaking Tubs Offer Elegant, Sculptural Styling and True Design Flexibility; High-Gloss Cast Acrylic Construction Provides Durability; Sized to Fit Comfortably in Most Bathrooms
Revel in the simple pleasure and soul-satisfying luxury of a deep soak in the three new freestanding tubs from American Standard. Designed with roomy comfort, yet compact enough to fit in an average-sized bathroom, these soaking tubs are pleasing to the eye and surprisingly gentle to the bottom line.
The three new stand-alone tub models include:
• Kipling, an oval tub characterized by elegant, traditional styling;
• Sedona, a rectangular tub featuring a clean, transitional form; and
• Coastal, an oval shape offering a fresh look with contemporary design lines.
Featuring sleek lines that will gracefully complement a variety of stylish bath decors, each of these soaking tubs stands out like a striking sculpture, bringing elegance and beauty to the bathroom.
Featuring soaking depths ranging from 16 1/8-inches to 17 3/8-inches, these freestanding tubs deliver a truly luxurious, spa-like experience while taking up less room than a deck tub. These three soaking tubs are designed to function as the focal point of the room, can fit in most standard sized bathrooms, and provide superior value at affordable pricing.
To allow for a supremely satisfying deep soak, these new tubs feature large, slotted overflows integrated directly into the tub wall. All three tubs feature a convenient, center toe-tap drain that is simple to activate. Hidden leveling feet allow for convenient adjustment for the perfect floor fit.
For complete control of heating and hot water, the Bosch RRC Smart Thermostat combines a room thermostat and programmable control App allows remote adjustments and fuel consumption information Weather compensation feature further boosts efficiency Occupancy detection feature detects when residents are at home The new Bosch Remote Room Controller (RRC) Smart Thermostat from Bosch Thermotechnology uses a Read more
For complete control of heating and hot water, the Bosch RRC Smart Thermostat combines a room thermostat and programmable control
- App allows remote adjustments and fuel consumption information
- Weather compensation feature further boosts efficiency
- Occupancy detection feature detects when residents are at home
The new Bosch Remote Room Controller (RRC) Smart Thermostat from Bosch Thermotechnology uses a home wifi connection to allow heating and domestic hot water to be monitored and adjusted from any compatible smartphone or tablet.
The Bosch RRC Smart Thermostat device is a programmable room thermostat with integrated temperature sensor and remote boiler controller in one simple to use device. Intuitive and easy to use, the RRC Smart Thermostat can show the homeowner their desired scheduled settings as well as outdoor temperature, current space heating or domestic hot water production status and overall energy consumption, all at-a-glance. Up to four mobile devices can be connected to the RRC Smart Thermostat to detect when occupants are at home.
The sleek black glass wall-mounted rectangular panel is simple to install and connects to any Bosch or Buderus wall mounted condensing boiler using standard two-wired connections.
Unlike other smart room temperature controllers on the market, the RRC Smart Thermostat is the only thermostat of its type that can adjust the flow temperature of the boiler to the minimum level required to enhance condensing operation, yet still maintain the required room comfort level. It can do this in two ways – utilizing room feedback or outdoor reset (weather compensation).
The weather compensation feature boosts efficiency even further by using local online weather data or an outdoor sensor connected to the heat source to automatically adjust the home’s heating to the most economical level, increasing the temperature of the boiler output when the weather gets cold, and decreasing it when it warms up again. All this is accomplished with or without a hard-wired sensor on the outside wall of the home.
Through an easy-to-use free App, homeowners can take complete control of their heating and hot water, whether at home, at work or away. The App not only allows remote adjustment of heating and hot water settings, but also provides valuable information on gas consumption for both heating and hot water, helping homeowners to manage utility bills and reduce energy usage.
“Web enabled smart controllers are a crucial part of today’s advanced heating systems,” commented Richard A. Soper, President of Bosch Thermotechnology North America. “We responded to the need to have such a controller to interact with our boilers with this innovative solution, utilizing our extensive experience in the heating and hot water business. As building regulations are tightening, stipulating the need for more accurate time and temperature control, an interface product like the Bosch RCC Smart Thermostat is an exciting addition to our product portfolio.”
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