The First Generation of Suspended WCs and the “Side Bolts”
In the post, “Wall-hung sanitary ware and their covers (part 1)” we began discussing wall-hung toilets and bidets. These fixtures started gaining popularity in bathrooms from the ’80s and especially the ’90s. Earlier attempts had been made by the same companies (like the SOVAS series by Ideal Standard), but technical prerequisites, such as the dedicated installation frames—the “combifix” structures—from companies like Geberit, Valsir, and Kariba, were missing. Installation was cumbersome, difficult, and prohibitively expensive. It took the convergence of these factors for suspended sanitaryware to become the standard fixture we know today.
We previously highlighted the ceramic series that popularized this type of fixture: ALA by Ideal Standard. Beyond impressive sales figures, it was the first ceramic series presented only in the wall-hung version by a ceramic company. Today, it’s normal to see new collections offering both floor-standing and wall-hung options for WCs and bidets, but forty years ago, presenting only the suspended version was a small revolution, spearheaded by Ideal Standard, which dominated the market in both turnover and style at the time.
From that era, we must also recall bestsellers like: GARDA by Dolomite, GEMMA by Scala, IDEA by Pozzi Ginori and SINTESI Wall-hung by Cesame.
What All These Suspended WCs Had in Common
What was the common thread among these early suspended fixtures, and how do they differ from what we call “modern” series?
Look at the image (or the one in the previous paragraph): the fixture is suspended (at that time, the distinction between “modern” and “traditional” was simply wall-hung vs. floor-standing). However, you’ll notice the wall-anchoring bolts visible on the sides (hidden only by two plastic caps, either white or chrome). Used to modern ceramic series, this detail is quite striking today.
Until about fifteen years ago, all suspended sanitaryware was anchored this way. Even the most formally refined series had openings on the sides to tighten these nuts (later covered by caps). Besides being unsightly, these openings were also unhygienic and difficult to clean.
The Advent of Modern Suspended Sanitaryware: Hidden Fixings
How could the tightening problem be solved if the nut wasn’t accessible with a wrench? Fortunately, the new under-mounting fixing kit came to the rescue of ceramic companies. (Initially, it annoyed many plumbers who preferred the old accessible side-nut system, but they now realize the new method is faster and even safer).
This invention paved the way for the new ceramic series we’ll now examine. Sanitaryware aesthetics evolved thanks to an engineer whose focus was on practicality rather than form. This transition to fully closed-sided sanitaryware also meant that toilet seats had to be mounted from above, just like with back-to-wall fixtures. We have seen in the post: ”Toilet seat covers with expansion fixing from above. Dowel or anchor (lozenge)?” the two toilet seat fixing systems: 1-Fixing toilet seat cover with expansion system (dowel) and 2-Fixing toilet seat cover with anchor system (lozenge).
Modern Suspended Sanitaryware Series
LINK by Flaminia:
The symbolic series of modern suspended fixtures. Like Ala, it was initially presented only in the suspended version. Its incredibly reduced body height (only 20 cm) gives a true sense of a body suspended in a void. Minimal, chic, and still ultra-modern. The toilet seats for Link are available in the Sintesibagno store at the following link [ clik HERE ]
EASY.02 Suspended by Pozzi Ginori:
Part of Pozzi Ginori’s revival. It was the “Year Zero” for soft, oval-shaped back-to-wall/suspended sanitaryware, inspiring competitors for years to come. All toilet seat covers for Easy.02 are available in the Sintesibagno store at the following link [ clik HERE ]
MUSE Suspended by Catalano:
Designed by Matteo Thun. These fixtures evoke a sense of softness, like a sheet animated by a sea breeze. Catalano combined history and production technology to achieve this form. The original Muse toilet seat covers for this series are available in the Sintesibagno store at the following link [ clik HERE ] as well as the new Plus Extra Slim version with slow-motion hinges [ clik HERE ]”
YA Eos by Eos Ceramica:
One of the company’s latest series Eos Ceramica, essential, pure geometric shapes is YA. Similar to Flaminia Link but with slightly different dimensions. Its thermoset WC cover with wrap-around lid and expansion fixing from above can be found in the Sintesibagno store at the following link [ clik HERE ]
STARCK 2 by Duravit:
Designed by Philippe Starck, this series moved from the round Starck 1 to the D-shape of Starck 2. The sides are completely closed with hidden fixings, ensuring unaltered perfection, easy cleaning, and a joy for design lovers. The WC covers Starck 2 series are available in the Sintesibagno store at the following link [ clik HERE ]”
ALIA New by Ceramica Globo:
The latest version of a historic series, successfully redesigned with a modern yet retro feel. Rigorous hidden fixings leave the ceramic body completely free of crevices. The original thermoset toilet seat cover Alia is available in the Sintesibagno store at the following link [ clik HERE ]
FROZEN by Simas:
Described as achieving the perfect form in ceramic (Rectangular/square sanitary ware and replacement toilet seat covers) . In the suspended version, these fixtures—two rectangular parallelepipeds hung on the wall—reach incredible stylistic purity. Imagine the aesthetic difference if they still had the old side-fixing slots! The original toilet seat Frozen, both the first version in white coated wood and the version in wraparound thermoset (also available with slow motion hinges) can be found in the Sintesibagno store at the following link [ clik HERE ]
We have begun to look at modern suspended sanitaryware series and their toilet seats. We will continue this exploration in future posts. If you recognize your WC among these and are ready to buy the right seat, or if you are still unsure, we suggest sending us an email to info@sintesibagno.it or a WhatsApp message at +39 3341288978 with two pictures and a few measurements of your fixture, and we will be able to help you choose.
