A Journey Through 125 Years of Hansgrohe History

Hansgrohe Group Opens its New Permanent Company History Exhibition at the Schiltach HQ in the Black Forest

Schiltach, August 2026. With the new permanent exhibition “Hansgrohe. Setting the Beat of Water. Since 1901.”, the Hansgrohe Group is opening a new space dedicated to experiencing its corporate history. The modernized historical exhibition in the Aquademie, the company’s visitor, training, and experience center in Schiltach, was officially inaugurated in June as part of the celebrations marking Hansgrohe’s 125th anniversary. Across approximately 400 square meters, visitors can explore the evolution of a Black Forest company that has played a defining role in shaping international bathroom and shower culture for more than a century.

Rather than presenting a traditional historical chronology, the new exhibition focuses on the factors that have driven Hansgrohe’s success since 1901: a spirit of innovation, technical expertise, a commitment to design excellence, a strong corporate culture, and a unique relationship with water.

History as an Immersive Experience

At the heart of the redesigned exhibition is a spatial and thematic experience inspired by the image of a water droplet. A droplet striking the surface of the water and creating concentric ripples serves as the guiding motif for the entire exhibition concept. This idea is reflected both in the architecture of the exhibition space and in its narrative design. From the outset, visitors are welcomed into a forum-like area centered around a custom-made transparent disc. Suspended within a three-meter-diameter metal frame, it appears to float like a water droplet. Upon reaching the center of the hall, guests embark on a journey through 125 years of company history with a film activated via RFID technology. From this central point, the entire exhibition unfolds, featuring themed worlds, original exhibits, multimedia installations, and interactive experiences.

“With ‘Setting the Beat of Water. Since 1901.’ we invite our guests on a journey of discovery: authentic Hansgrohe stories, technical ingenuity, and surprising anecdotes, all topped off with the occasional ‘aha!’ moment,” says Felicitas Linhoff, Head of the Hansgrohe Aquademie. “I am delighted when customers leave feeling inspired and step into the shower with a completely new perspective.”

125 Years of Innovation, Design, and Bathroom Culture

The exhibition tells the story of Hansgrohe through the people, pioneering ideas, and groundbreaking innovations that have shaped the company’s development. Historical documents, iconic products, development models, and exhibits from different eras illustrate how the company evolved from a small Black Forest business into a global leader in premium bathroom and kitchen solutions.

More than 120 original exhibits, over 60 meters of display walls, around 100 texts in German and English, numerous photographs and graphics, as well as audiovisual media provide visitors with a comprehensive insight into the history of the company and its brands. At the same time, the exhibition highlights both technological advancements and cultural and societal changes that have transformed the bathroom and the way people interact with water across generations. Particular emphasis is placed on the interplay between technological innovation, design excellence, and the responsible use of resources. In doing so, the exhibition deliberately builds a bridge between the past, the present, and the future.

Interactive and Multimedia

The new exhibition is designed to offer a contemporary visitor experience. Several interactive stations invite guests to explore content independently and discover connections in an engaging and hands-on way. Digital applications, films, projections, audio elements, and tactile exhibits complement the historical objects, making 125 years of development tangible through a variety of formats.

Overall, the exhibition is organized into five thematic clusters comprising 23 modules, seamlessly combining physical artifacts with modern interpretive approaches. The result is a multifaceted journey through time that appeals both to visitors with an interest in history and to professionals from the sanitary industry, architecture, and design communities.

A Collaborative Project with Strong Regional Roots

Development of the new exhibition concept began in May 2024 and spanned a period of approximately two years. Numerous departments across Hansgrohe contributed to the project’s realization. Together with the history specialists from birke und partner, the company created an exhibition that authentically and contemporarily conveys Hansgrohe’s identity.

“Our two-year journey together to create Hansgrohe’s new heritage exhibition was characterized by a high level of mutual trust,” says Fabian Birke, Managing Director of birke und partner GmbH. “We had the opportunity to get to know a highly innovative company with a unique history and an outstanding corporate culture. From the very beginning, the project teams at Hansgrohe and birke und partner were united by a shared creative vision and a common understanding of the content. A visit to Schiltach is well worth it, and now more than ever thanks to the new presentation of the company’s history.”

A New Highlight at the Aquademie

With “Setting the Beat of Water. Since 1901.”, Hansgrohe adds another attractive destination to the Aquademie. The exhibition brings the company’s origins, values, and innovative spirit to life for visitors from the region as well as for international guests, customers, and professional partners. At the same time, it underscores Hansgrohe’s strong connection to Schiltach, where the company’s story began and continues to be written today.

The Hansgrohe Aquademie is located at Auestrasse 9, 77761 Schiltach, Germany, and is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Following their journey through the company’s history, visitors are invited to relax in the integrated café area. Over a cup of coffee or during a short break, guests can reflect on their impressions in a welcoming atmosphere and bring their Aquademie experience to a pleasant close.

About the Hansgrohe Group – Setting the Beat of Water. Since 1901.

The Hansgrohe Group, with its AXOR and hansgrohe brands, is based in the Black Forest town of Schiltach in Southern Germany and is considered one of the leading companies in the bathroom and kitchen industry. Founded in 1901 and known for its innovative spirit, excellently designed products, and strong quality, the company develops and manufactures faucets, showerheads, and shower systems that give water both form and function. Combined with sanitary ceramics and bathroom furniture, Hansgrohe offers holistic bathroom solutions from a single source. Unique innovations such as the first hand-held shower with multiple spray types, the first pull-out kitchen faucet, and the first shower bar have shaped the company’s 125-year history. More than 15,000 active property rights underscore Hansgrohe’s commitment to innovation. The company stands for long-lasting quality and responsibility toward people and the environment. Sustainability is firmly embedded in its business practices – from resource-efficient manufacturing to technologies that help protect water as a resource and contribute to limiting and adapting to climate change. As part of its “ECO 2030” initiative, the company will equip all water-bearing products exclusively with water-saving technologies by 2030. With 35 subsidiaries, 23 sales offices, and distribution in more than 145 countries, the Hansgrohe Group operates worldwide. Since 1974, its brands and products have received more than 800 design awards. Hansgrohe products can be found in renowned cruise ships, international 5-star and boutique hotels, exclusive spas, luxury private bathrooms, as well as numerous public and private construction projects across the globe. High quality standards are ensured by eight wholly owned production sites – four in Germany and one each in France, Serbia, the United States, and China. In the 2025 fiscal year, the Hansgrohe Group generated revenue of EUR 1.375 billion and employed around 5,600 people worldwide, about 60 percent of them in Germany.