Walk into freedom: Bekon-Koralle X88 Free shower panel

A walk-in shower is essential to any minimalist bathroom design, stripping back and purifying the shower experience, whilst maintaining practicality and functionality for modern life. With its open entrance and access flush to the floor, the simplicity of the walk-in shower makes bathrooms feel much more spacious and luxurious – not to mention easier to clean.

Though as most of you probably know, the road to minimalism is often not as simple as it seems. Fortunately, Swiss shower system specialist Bekon-Koralle AG, has been refining its walk-in systems for over 40 years to create streamlined solutions for minimalist bathrooms. For example, the recently launched X88 Free is a free-standing, 90-degree fixed side panel for a walk-in shower, which, due to its careful engineering, requires no visible attachments to disrupt the flow of space. In fact, the X88 Free prides itself on being invisible – free of mechanical attachments such as hinges, profiles or the unsightly stabilisation bar.

'Architects prefer maximum transparency in shower design, without unnecessary hinges or profiles. It’s mostly for design reasons, for example, in architecture, minimalist window construction helps connect the indoors and outdoors. It’s the same with interior space; when the shower pane disappears, a bathroom feels more fluid and spacious,' says Roger Kurt, Sales and Marketing Director at Bekon-Koralle.

The simplicity of the free-standing design of the X88 Free panel derives from Bekon-Koralle’s high-performance adhesive innovation, Gluetech, used in combination with a slightly thicker than usual pane depth of 10mm. This powerful design means that the mechanical attachments seen in many other shower systems simply aren’t needed. 'Most walk-in solutions require a stabilisation bar, the biggest enemy of a bathroom designer. It sounds like a small detail, but in the mind of a designer it can really disrupt the flow of space,' says Kurt.

As well as offering total transparency, the simplicity of the product makes it easy to clean and maintain, particularly useful for hotels. The toughened safety glass is efficient for wiping down with ease, and it is available in Bekon-Koralle’s high-tech shower glass Duschguard, sealed with a beading that is corrosion resistant and permanently transparent, with a 10-year guarantee. The X88’s minimalism does not compromise functionality in any way; the system has been stringently tested and the Swiss Plate Association (SPV) gives it top marks for suitability for installation, tightness and safety.

The minimalist approach seen in the appearance and day-to-day function of the X88 Free can also be found in how Bekon-Koralle has designed the specification, customisation and construction of the product. The values of transparency, simplicity and efficiency have been instilled at every step of the design process, creating a fluid flow for everyone involved, whether you are an architect, designer, builder, specialist retailer, installer, planner or general contractor.

For example, the X88’s Swiss-produced, high-quality fixings are uncomplicated. The product is efficient to specify with four intelligent systems (UP2, UP1, AP1, GT) that allow for a variation of walk-in shower situations and slope and drainage solutions. When it comes to installation, the design means walls do not need to be treated and no screws are required.

For Bekon-Koralle, good minimalist product design is about crafting seamless interior space, yet also about a seamless process of collaboration and construction. Their USP is their hands-on team who offer personal advice, assembly assistance and a repair service. 'Architects always have strong ideas of what they want to realise, and as a manufacturer you have to meet their needs – especially in Switzerland, where architects are often designers of holistic building and interior concepts. Architects look for the manufacturers that can realise their vision. Our products and services are designed to match their needs,' says Kurt.

© Architonic