Design and Architecture
Battle for the Bottom: TOTO, Kohler and the Luxury Toilet
"Is the world ready for a toilet with its own foot warmer, heated seat, bidet washlet and built-in music system, all controlled by a touch-screen remote?"
By Frances Anderton • • 28m Listen"Is the world ready for a toilet with its own foot warmer, heated seat, bidet washlet and built-in music system, all controlled by a touch-screen remote?" That's the question being asked by American company Kohler as it launches its Numi luxury toilet on a market dominated by Japan's TOTO. We talk about the PR blitz to woo affluent customers away from the analog loo, and hear how this fits into visions of the Future City at Little Tokyo Design Week.
In this episode
3 storiesThe Future City
The first-ever Little Tokyo Design Week , held last week, featured a "Pecha Kucha", or fast-paced presentation of ideas, for the "Future City." Greg Lynn, Bill Kleiman, Dana Cuff, Todd Gannon, Aaron Paley, and Rebecca Lowry were among the participants who presented their ideas for the future. Films screen on Noguchi Plaza…
Read the story5 minThe Battle for the Affluent Bottom
The sponsor for the "Future City" Pecha Kucha was the Japanese bath manufacturer TOTO, who displayed its new Neorest 550 , a high-tech luxury toilet which includes features like an automatic lid, remote control, duel flush, and bidet. Frances hears from TOTO's Allan Dallatore on the company's strategy, then visits with Little Tokyo Design Week…
Read the story20 minA Few Summer Design Events
With Carmageddon behind us, and many people now on vacation, it's a great time to get out and explore the many design events happening across Los Angeles.
Read the story5 min