Exciting Baths – The STEIN in April 2025

Building design
The clients of this bathroom in an attic apartment in Munich had a clear idea: they wanted a stylish, purist bathroom that would fit seamlessly into the overall concept of their Munich attic apartment. The choice of material fell on the Brazilian "Quarzit Meteor" for some of the walls as well as the washbasin and countertops. The concept is complemented by basalt, also from Brazil, which Huber Naturstein sells under the name "Infinity Black". It is a dark natural stone for floors and walls. Cover photo: Andreas Acktun

In STEIN 4/25, we showcase bathrooms in a class of their own. We begin with a particularly elegant example from downtown Munich. There, the clients wanted a minimalist design combined with high-quality materials. In an interview with STEIN, experienced interior designer and trend scout Torsten Müller discusses the appeal of natural stone in the bathroom and showcases some of his outstanding creations. You’ll also learn how business owners can address high rates of sick leave and best prevent it.

Ahead of the 2025 federal election, the German skilled trades sector had formulated 25 points calling for decisive political action and a shift toward a sustainable economic policy. Now, ZDH President Jörg Dittrich is doubling down: “The crisis of change in Germany must come to an end. The skilled trades sector is calling for a new course to be set for a sustainable economic policy and for the country’s position as a business location to be strengthened. Growth, prosperity, and competitiveness cannot be taken for granted. Skilled trades businesses and their employees need clear signals of relief, a fresh start, and stability.” With these words, the president of the German Confederation of Skilled Crafts strikes a chord with an industry filled with concern. The future demands strategies and decisive action.

Between Relief and Stability

Politics is one thing; enabling craftsmanship is another. A beautiful example of this is a bathroom we discovered. It not only appeals to the senses but also demonstrates particularly impressively the special appeal of artisanal skills in working with STEIN. Learn more about it starting on page 6.

Sensual Stein

Our author, Dr. Alexandra Nyseth, spoke with bathroom designer Torsten Müller about just how much architecture and interior design rely on creative craftsmanship. Read the full interview, featuring surprising insights into natural stone in the bathroom and new trends, starting on page 14. Our expert Michael Spohr explains on page 32 which machinery is needed to compete in high-end bathroom construction. To do so, he traveled throughout Germany and Austria on your behalf, visiting various stonemasonry businesses and observing their work up close in their workshops and production facilities.

Trendy Bathrooms

Starting on page 42, we look at sick leave in companies. In 2023, employers in Germany spent 76.7 billion euros on continued pay for sick employees. These costs have doubled over the past 14 years. Continued pay is an enormous burden, especially for small and medium-sized businesses. We’ve researched what you, as a manager, can do to promote the health of your company’s employees.

Your STEIN Editorial Team Redaktion@stein-magazin.de

The magazine is available here!

In our latest issue, 03/25, we explore successful public spaces . Read more about it here.

Healthy Companies

In STEIN 4/25, we showcase bathrooms in a class of their own. We start with a particularly elegant example from downtown Munich. There, the clients wanted a minimalist design combined with high-quality materials. In an interview with STEIN, experienced interior designer and trend scout Torsten Müller discusses the appeal of natural stone in the bathroom and showcases some of his outstanding creations. You’ll also learn how, as a business owner, you can address high rates of sick leave and best prevent them. […]

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Make it better

Building design

Willy Hafner’s last attempt: do it better! The craftsman has a chance if he masters his craft; with his hands, mind and passion.

What can I write after 30 years? Good form as decency, as former German President Theodor Heuss put it back in 1956, still hasn’t won us over; neither in the stonemasonry trade nor in furniture stores. Quite the opposite! The shapes follow what is fun, the slabs are polished smooth on the surface and many new houses just pretend to be old castles; in Berlin and elsewhere.

Natural stone has become a trend product. Niche, that was once. The “everyday world of stone” is full of opportunities. Many want to profit from the boom in natural STEIN. Craftsmen beware that others will not be back in the business of beautiful STEIN tomorrow. It’s not what you do with it that counts. It depends on who makes something out of it.

Until a few years ago, craftsmanship was considered dusty and backward-looking. Today, craftsmanship always has a chance if it remains craftsmanship and the craftsman reflects the world in which his customers live. Customers today are looking for an application concept for their chosen material. The craftsman has a chance if he masters his craft; with his hand, with his mind and with passion. Master craftsman, that was once upon a time. The old master stands for reproducible, i.e. learnable knowledge. That is no longer enough! The master must become an expert. The expert sees the difference, the possible variations. Today, craftsmanship offers more opportunities than many people thought 30 years ago. Today, real craftsmanship often begins at the computer screen and ends in machine production. Technology makes the master. However, the demands on the products have remained the same. They have to convince your customers; in their form, in their function and in their price. Just as the Swabian Heuss once said. Communication and marketing are one thing, skills and their mastery are another.

By the way: This was a last attempt. Just do it better!

Willy Hafner on the craft and its potential in STEIN in January 2014.

Picture: Richard Watzke

Automatic sliding doors as an escape route

Building design

Passages that meet the requirements for accessibility, escape routes and fire protection are a challenge for planners. The manufacturer Hörmann offers the “AS30-X/FR” for this purpose.

A particular challenge for architects and planners are passageways that meet the requirements for accessibility, escape routes and fire protection and must also support a bright and glazed design. The manufacturer Hörmann offers the “AS30-X/FR”, a combination of the “AD 100-X” automatic sliding door and the “HE 321” fire door with T30 aluminum tubular frame elements.

In normal or daytime operation, the tubular frame elements are open and the automatic sliding door acts as an escape route. In emergency and night mode, the sliding door opens automatically and remains open. The tubular frame elements close automatically and prevent the spread of fire, but can be opened using the lever handle so that the passage can be used as an escape route in an emergency. The system also has burglar-resistant RC 2 equipment and insulates sound in the building.