Kaldewei’ has received two “Best of Best” accolades at the ICONIC AWARDS 2026 for its refurbishment project at the 25hours Hotel Bikini Berlin. Presented by the German Design Council, the awards recognised the project in the Product – Special and Product – Circular Design categories.
Second Life as a Design Concept
The pilot project demonstrates how circular economy principles can be applied to refurbishment projects. Rather than replacing existing bathroom products, Kaldewei dismantled them and returned them to its facilities for refurbishment using a specially developed upcycling process. Sandblasting and re-enamelling restored the products, while shower surfaces were upgraded with Kaldewei’s Secure Plus slip-resistant finish. The refurbished products were then returned to 25hours Hotel Bikini for reinstallation in the guest bathrooms.
The circular economy conserves resources
Refurbishing the shower surfaces and bathtubs extended their life and reduced the need for new raw materials. According to Kadewei, the process generated 65 per cent less CO₂ compared with the manufacture of new products. The project highlights the benefits of durable design and upcycling to support the circular economy.
“The project at the 25hours Hotel was a milestone for us,” said Christian Büttner, head of innovation and portfolio at Kaldewei. “By refurbishing and reusing existing products, we create lasting value and take responsibility for future generations.”
The two ‘Best of Best’ accolades recognise this approach, with the awards ceremony held at BMW Welt in Munich.
