WEDNESDAY 12 MARCH 2014 • [email protected] • www.thepeninsulaqatar.com • 4455 7741 inside Researchers tackle mystery CAMPUS • QU Cultural Village 2014 of how some features 33 booths representing 21 countries snakes can fly P | 4 P | 7 BOOKS • Yoko Ono book offers advice in Japanese-language Set the water temperature of the shower P | 6 from the living room, programme a shower playlist while having dinner FILM and lift the toilet lid while lying in bed. • Amid economic crisis, a silver lining for Technology is taking over our bathrooms. Greek filmmakers P | 8-9 HEALTH • Bullying among kids tied to suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts P | 11 TECHNOLOGY • Korea’s quirky messaging apps go on offensive in Indonesia P | 12 BATHROOMS Learn Arabic • Learn commonly used Arabic words and their meanings GET FACELIFT | P 13 2 PLUS | WEDNESDAY 12 MARCH 2014 COVER STORY More homeowners giving bathrooms a 21st-century update By Audrey Hoffer by Houzz — an online community focused on remodeling and design — found that lava Lazebnikov can set the 60 percent of people are renovating bath- water temperature of the shower rooms and many are upgrading to include from the living room, pro- the latest technology. Houzz said multiple Sgramme a shower playlist while shower heads, including those that simu- having dinner and lift the toilet lid while late rain, are particularly popular. lying in bed. The sophisticated bathroom technol- After 15 years in his Rockville, ogy is not just for the rich or frivolously Maryland, home, Lazebnikov said the eccentric. Lazebnikov and his wife, bathrooms were outdated and needed Margarita, live in a modest townhouse, something, well, a little splashy. and he says he “likes all sorts of gadgets Now showering in the upstairs bath- that can be adjusted for the heck of it.” room is a digital spa experience. “It’s Lazebnikov, a software systems man- really like in a car wash,” he said. ager, purchased and installed the lat- Technology has become commonplace est high-tech products himself. “It’s my in many American homes — particularly hobby. I do it over the weekends,” he said. in the rooms where families consume A digital valve with five control panels their media, with devices that allow them is connected to both their smartphones to programme their music and TV from and enables them to personalise every their smartphones, and in the kitchen, aspect of the shower. The devices can with refrigerators that tell them when be pricey: The Kohler DTV system with they’re low on milk. rainhead, four body sprays, fixed head But now it’s starting to catch on in and hand shower typically retails for the bathroom. $4,500; add another $12,000 for the media A fall 2013 survey of 7,600 homeowners package. PLUS | WEDNESDAY 12 MARCH 2014 3 The Japanese-manufactured Numi toilet, which retails for about $6,600, is digitally controlled by a hand-held panel the size and shape of a BlackBerry and attaches magnetically to the wall. “Water comes at you from all fits into the shower head. Kohler — A heated seat. while laying in the tub.” TVs are sides and above,” said Lazebnikov, sells Moxie, a $199 system with a — A built-in deodorizing system. common additions inside showers pointing to various ceiling and wall shower head and wireless speaker “Before I bought this, I wondered along with a defogger. water tiles from which the water that snaps in to play and pops out how I’d use it, but now I find it’s “We can put in any size TV and flow and pressure can be regulated. for recharging. It is wirelessly really convenient,” Lazebnikov said. can place it anywhere on the mirror You can create a drizzle, thunder- connected to Bluetooth-enabled “Especially at night when you’re as long as it’s three to four inches storm, waterfall, fountain or body devices. half asleep, you don’t have to switch off the edge,” he said. spray. “Today, showers are so advanced on the light.” Bathtubs are no longer standard. Lazebnikov can set a rhythmic they become the price of an expen- In the first-floor powder room, Houzz says nearly half the people pattern of alternating water tem- sive German car,” said David he installed a toilet bowl onto an remodelling bathrooms are leaving perature. “Think of it as tempera- Goldberg, owner of Union Hardware orange, rust and gold wall of stone tubs out, and those who include ture therapy,” he said. And he said in Bethesda, Maryland. and onyx. “It’s a very small space, them often add spa-like features he can add steam “to surround me Lazebnikov could have added a and every inch counts,” he said. that can be digitally regulated and in warmth.” dryer but “thought it’s really too Wall-mounted toilets with dual programmed. The steam function can be con- much,” he said. flush buttons in the wall, which Kohler Vibracoustic tubs offer trolled with user settings for dif- He installed six copper pipes in cost $700 to $1,200, are increas- a completely different spa experi- ferent family members — a gadget the attic above the bathroom to ingly popular, said Ernesto Santalla, ence with music from hidden speak- that costs $2,500 to $5,000 and an support all the technology. “There architect and designer with Studio ers, vibrations and chromotherapy extra $1,000 to $3,000 with the are no mechanical knobs; it’s all Santalla in Washington. “They lights from coloured LED bulbs speakers, lights and aromatherapy. digital.” don’t take up much space, they inserted in the tub wall. The units It can be as basic or intense, hot or The Japanese-manufactured operate well and all of a sudden cost $3,500 to $5,000. warm, short or long, as each person Numi toilet, which retails for about the toilet becomes an attractive “For some people, that’s fabulous. desires. $6,600, is digitally controlled by a fixture,” he said. “We’re starting to You choose the colour in which you “If you’re in the kitchen cooking, hand-held panel the size and shape see more of them, but they haven’t want to bathe and use the music you can hit your iPad app to turn on of a BlackBerry and attaches mag- hit a strong trend yet,” Goldberg to pump you up for a night on the the steam so that it starts generat- netically to the wall. It offers mul- said. “Technology in wall mounts town or quiet you down for sleep,” ing, which takes about five minutes,” tiple options: hasn’t reached the maximum per- Pomeroy said. said Brittany Pomeroy, of Ferguson — A blue floor light “man sensor” formance that other toilets have, so Touchless faucets, which cost Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery to raise and lower the seat by foot. that’s held back the trend.” $300 to $700, are moving from in Rockville, Maryland. “Then you — Varying water flush strength TVs are also being added to bath- commercial outlets and highway can walk straight into the shower. and patterns. rooms. Robern makes medicine rest stops to home bathrooms. If you’re on a run and have five min- — Lighted bowl that acts as a cabinets with television screens “Embedded with sensor technology, utes left, you can do the same thing. night light. embedded flush in the mirror. The they use less energy and conserve It’s instant gratification.” — Automatic flush and lid rise. devices cost $3,900, plus $260 for water, which is important because Ceiling lights can be programmed — A bidet with multiple controls speakers. it’s one of the resources we’re to alter mood. Blue and violet are for water temperature, direction “They’re great for getting ready depleting,” Santalla said. considered calming, yellow and red and pressure. in the morning,” Pomeroy said. “You As the capabilities of sensors energizing. — Music: “It comes prepro- can watch the traffic while shav- become more adaptable, smart “A lot of people really enjoy tak- grammed with ‘Danny Boy’ and ing or putting on makeup, and your devices are moving throughout the ing advantage of chromotherapy,” ‘Yankee Doodle’ because that’s what kids can watch cartoons.” home — and people are grabbing said Michael Weaver, co-owner with the Japanese think Americans want “We sell them frequently,” them. “In the bathroom, high-tech his brother Bryce of W.T. Weaver & to listen to,” said Goldberg, laugh- Weaver said. “They make great products make you feel better, Sons in Washington. ing, “and of course, it can be repro- company. We even did a project for and who wouldn’t want that?” Music pours from a speaker that grammed with Bach or Jay Z.” a gentleman who wanted to watch Lazebnikov said. WP-Bloomberg 4 PLUS | WEDNESDAY 12 MARCH 2014 CAMPUS QU Cultural Village 2014 features 33 booths representing 21 countries atar University’s Cultural creativity on display in this event! The Village 2014 showcased the var- students never fail to impress us all Qious nationalities represented with their proud rendering of the cul- at the institution and highlighted the ture and heritage of their countries. spirit of mutual respect and goodwill The Village is a fitting showcase of the among them, organisers said. cultural diversity at QU and enhances In its eighth instalment, the event the spirit of connectedness among us organised by the institution’s Student all. It is also an invaluable opportunity Activities Department brought stu- for the students to demonstrate their dents together to present the culture skills in organisation, teamwork, and and heritage of their countries and communication.” become acquainted with those of their The final day of the four-day event colleagues.