Gone are the days when homes were designed solely for utility. Today, homeowners are making design-conscious choices, thus shifting to smart living where sustainability and functionality go hand in hand. In this edition of Expert Talk with BuildingandInteriors, Abhijeet Sonar, Head of Marketing, Hansgrohe India & Surrounding Countries, shares how the brand is leading this shift through its premium bathroom and kitchen solutions. He further shares how, with a strong emphasis on sustainability and advanced water technology, Hansgrohe is delivering home solutions that align with the evolving expectations of the Indian market.
Abhijeet is a dynamic, result-oriented professional with 15 years of cross-cultural experience in brand management, event management, brand launches, and promotions. He has consistently demonstrated expertise in creative direction, ideation, content marketing, and relationship marketing, successfully managing high-end luxury events. Currently serving as Head of Marketing, India and SAARC Countries at Hansgrohe Group, he leads strategic initiatives and a professional team to maintain the brand’s leadership in the premium bathroom fittings market. His work with top luxury brands and strong command of public relations, media strategy, and marketing campaigns have established him as a thought leader in the industry.
B&I: Sustainability is central to Hansgrohe. How do you see it playing out in the Indian market over the next 1-2 years?
Abhijeet Sonar: Sustainability is no longer a peripheral conversation in India; it’s quickly becoming a core expectation, particularly in the premium segment. With growing awareness around water conservation and energy efficiency, we anticipate greater demand for intelligent products that offer both performance and sustainability. At Hansgrohe, we’re already seeing increased interest in our EcoSmart technology, which reduces water consumption by up to 60%, without compromising the user experience. Over the next 1–2 years, sustainability will evolve from a feature to a prerequisite, especially in urban residential and hospitality projects.
B&I: With connected homes and intelligent building solutions fast becoming a talking point in the Indian home improvement industry, how is Hansgrohe leveraging this scenario to address the needs of the market?
Abhijeet Sonar: The shift toward smart living is accelerating in India, and we’re aligning our innovation roadmap accordingly. Hansgrohe’s focus is on creating water experiences that are intelligent, intuitive, and seamlessly integrated into connected home environments.
Our latest solutions, such as those featuring DuoTurn technology, allow users to control water flow and switch between functions with simple, ergonomic movements, combining ease of use with sleek design. Additionally, individual temperature control ensures that each user can customize their water temperature to suit their personal preferences, enhancing both comfort and safety.
These technologies are designed for seamless compatibility with intelligent building systems, making them ideal for today’s evolving Indian homes. We see this as a key growth area where functionality, design, and digital convenience come together to elevate everyday experiences.
B&I: The premium bathroom solutions market is an active space with good demand. What are some of the challenges you see for the premium bathroom solution players like yourself? What are some of the opportunities?
Abhijeet Sonar: The premium market in India is growing, but it comes with its unique challenges, among them being the disparity in infrastructure across regions and the need for consistent product education. On the flip side, this is also a moment of immense opportunity. Consumers are more design-conscious than ever, and there’s a clear shift from purely functional spaces to curated lifestyle zones. For brands like Hansgrohe, the opportunity lies in enabling this transformation through innovation, craftsmanship, and a strong service network.
B&I: What would Hansgrohe’s message be for architects and designers in India?
Abhijeet Sonar: We see architects and designers not just as stakeholders, but as collaborators in shaping the future of living spaces. Our message to them is simple: think of the bathroom and kitchen as more than just utility zones. Think of them as canvases for storytelling, well-being, and sustainability. With our German engineering, timeless design, and user-centric innovations, we’re here to co-create experiences that are as functional as they are inspiring.
B&I: Not many people talk of the kitchen-centric solutions from Hansgrohe. What kind of portfolio is available with you for kitchen customers in India?
Abhijeet Sonar: The kitchen is an area where functionality, hygiene, and design must come together effortlessly, and our kitchen portfolio is built on that principle. We offer a range of kitchen faucets featuring pull-out sprays, a thermostat, and Select technology that allows intuitive water control at the touch of a button. With water efficiency, durability, and ease of use at the core, our kitchen solutions meet the evolving needs of Indian homes, whether modern apartments or luxury villas.
B&I: Can you share some recent Indian projects where bathrooms or kitchens played a central role in expressing the overall luxury design narrative?
Abhijeet Sonar: We’ve been privileged to be part of several high-end residential and hospitality projects across the globe where bathrooms and kitchens have been treated as design focal points rather than functional afterthoughts. These spaces are being envisioned with spa-like aesthetics, advanced technology, and sustainability in mind, using our AXOR and hansgrohe ranges. While confidentiality agreements prevent us from naming specific projects, the trend is unmistakably leaning toward wellness-driven, experience-led design.
B&I: Where do you see the Indian luxury sanitaryware and fittings market moving over the next 1-2 years?
Abhijeet Sonar: A design and experience renaissance awaits India’s luxury sanitaryware and fittings market. We foresee three clear trends: the integration of digital and water technology, growing demand for bespoke and customizable solutions, and a shift towards sustainability as a default standard. Consumer expectations are rising, and the appetite for products that combine performance, aesthetics, and responsibility is only going to grow stronger.
B&I: At the recently concluded ISH Frankfurt, Hansgrohe showcased some very interesting solutions. Can you shed some light on what the Indian market can expect to see as a follow-up to ISH?
Abhijeet Sonar: ISH Frankfurt served as a fantastic platform for us to unveil next-generation innovations — many headed to India soon. Among the highlights were our advanced shower experiences, new finish options, and integrated smart controls that redefine wellness and water usage. The Indian market can expect a more localized rollout of these home solutions over the next few months, with a strong focus on user personalization, sustainability, and premium aesthetics. We’re excited to bring this global design language to Indian homes and projects.
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