A Selborne-based inventor is in the running for a top industry award for his unique creation – the world’s first foldaway toilet frame.
Architectural engineer Monty Ravenscroft, from Selborne, first came up with the idea for Hidealoo while working on a tiny property in southeast London. With very little space to play with, Monty needed to get creative with a range of space-saving inventions. His project being featured on Channel 4’s Grand Designs programme.
He also wanted to find a solution for his invalid father who needed the convenience of bathroom facilities in his bedroom, yet in a discreet way that preserved his dignity.
Inspired by these experiences, and after years spent honing its design, Monty created Hidealoo – a frame which allows a toilet to be rotated through 90 degrees meaning it can be hidden within a cupboard or wall recess. As well as creating valuable counter space and freeing up floor space when a toilet isn’t in use, the frame can help homeowners add extra ‘lootilties’ where installing a bathroom may otherwise not be possible.
Since Hidealoo was officially launched last year, orders have been flooding in from homeowners and property developers across the world – even including one Hollywood producer.
The unique frame has now been named one of ten finalists in the prestigious kbb Innovation Awards, which recognise those who are pushing the boundaries of excellence and design across the kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom sectors.
Monty explains: “I’ve always been passionate about solving problems and engineering solutions for the home. While the idea for Hidealoo was driven by my father’s ill health and the need to get clever with small living spaces, it has many other potential applications.
“The frame itself has been engineered to be incredibly robust and is capable of taking well over three times normal human weight. It’s also made to last more than a lifetime having been tested more than 250,000 times.”
He added: “With mortgage rates high, making moving home more difficult, and the cost of living also leading people to need to rent out rooms for some extra cash, the ability to fit an extra loo in all manner of places has really hit a nerve.
“Every customer we hear from has a unique idea for how they would like to use Hidealoo and it’s fantastic to be able to help them make the most of the space they have available.”
Popular uses for Hidealoo include fitting a toilet within a utility room cupboard, within a cabinet underneath loft eaves, in a home office area and within compact ensuites and shower rooms.
Hidealoo is manufactured in Britain and works with any standard wall hung ceramic pan and cistern. For more information visit www.hidealoo.com
The winner of the kbb Innovation Award will be announced in March.