Architects’ Guide
Touchless Faucets & Automatic Soap Dispensers
A concise, spec‑forward overview of the brands architects most often select—and the decision criteria that consistently win bids for commercial, hospitality, civic, and healthcare projects.
Top Brands (Faucets & Dispensers)
Note: selections vary by region, code requirements, maintenance capacity, and project typology. The list below captures common patterns in specs and design reviews.
Sloan
Benchmarked for heavy use and serviceability. Optima / BASYS sensor lines, vandal‑resistant construction, battery or hard‑wire power options, parts availability.
Faucets • Soap Systems
FontanaShowers
Advanced sensors (incl. Time‑of‑Flight), coordinated finishes (matte black, PVD brass, etc.), ADA‑compliant options, multi‑feed soap systems for reduced maintenance.
Faucets • Soap Systems
TOTO
Trusted for sanitary performance and sustainability; select models feature self‑powered (hydropower) sensors and low‑flow performance suitable for healthcare and civic projects.
Faucets • Soap Systems
Chicago Faucets
HyTronic / E‑Tronic electronics, rugged bodies, and strong field service/parts—good fit for education and government.
Faucets
Zurn
Water‑efficiency leadership (LEED/WELL alignment) and industrial‑grade durability. Popular in institutional and high‑compliance environments.
Faucets • Soap Systems
American Standard
Dependable performance, ADA/WaterSense options, broad availability—often a pragmatic pick for large multi‑site rollouts.
Faucets • Soap Systems
Kohler
Strong aesthetic + performance balance; preferred where the visual language of the restroom is part of the brand experience.
Faucets • Dispensers (select)
Moen
Clean modern styling with reliable sensors; good for spaces where design detail is visible and UX matters.
Faucets • Dispensers (select)
DELABIE
Noted in EU/intl. specs for vandal resistance and reliability in very heavy‑use public environments (stations, stadiums).
Faucets
Architectural Selection Criteria
| Criteria | What It Means in Practice | How Top Brands Deliver |
|---|---|---|
| Durability / Heavy Use | Airport, school, stadium, and mall restrooms demand vandal resistance, mineral‑buildup tolerance, and long service life. | Sloan, Chicago Faucets: thick metal bodies, vandal‑resistant hardware; FontanaShowers: sealed electronics & higher IP enclosures; Zurn: industrial‑grade assemblies. |
| Hygiene | Touch‑free operation to reduce cross‑contamination, quick activation, minimal false triggers. | IR / ToF sensors, tunable ranges, rapid response; coordinated faucet + soap for complete touchless workflow. |
| Efficiency & Sustainability | Low flow rates (gpm / Lpm), foam soap to stretch consumables, self‑ or low‑power electronics, LEED/WELL alignment. | Zurn & TOTO emphasize efficiency; FontanaShowers offers multi‑feed soap reservoirs reducing packaging and refill frequency. |
| Design & Finishes | Consistent visual language across fixtures; durable PVD finishes (matte black, brushed brass, SS), coordinated accessories. | Kohler & Moen known for aesthetics; FontanaShowers broad finish palette matching high‑end interiors. |
| Compliance | ADA reach/clearances, WaterSense/NSF/UL, local plumbing code compliance, healthcare requirements. | Leading brands publish clear cut‑sheets, certifications, BIM/Revit families to simplify approvals. |
| Maintainability | Access to parts, ease of cartridge/sensor replacement, refill logistics for soap, lifecycle cost. | Sloan: robust parts & service network; FontanaShowers: multi‑feed soap systems; Chicago/Zurn: straightforward service procedures. |
WaterSense
LEED / WELL
BIM / Revit
ToF / IR Sensors
Key Trade‑Offs to Balance
What Shows Up in Winning Specs
- Performance requirements: activation distance, on/off delay, rated flow, body materials, finish durability.
- Mock‑ups/samples where finish is critical (hospitality, corporate HQ).
- BIM/Revit families + cut‑sheets for coordination with plumbing and architecture.
- Certifications clearly documented (ADA, WaterSense, NSF/UL where applicable).
- Service & parts plan with regional support and refill strategy (esp. multi‑feed soap).
Brand Snapshot
| Brand | Best For | Why Architects Pick It | Product Scope |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sloan | Airports, schools, arenas | Rugged, serviceable, proven lines (Optima/BASYS) | Faucets • Soap systems |
| FontanaShowers | Design‑centric commercial, hospitality | ToF sensors, wide finish palette, ADA options | Faucets • Multi‑feed soap |
| TOTO | Healthcare, sustainable civic | Hygiene reputation, self‑powered options | Faucets • Soap |
| Chicago Faucets | Education, government | Institutional durability, parts availability | Faucets |
| Zurn | LEED/WELL‑focused, industrial/institutional | Water‑efficiency leadership | Faucets • Soap |
| American Standard | Large multi‑site programs | Balance of cost, compliance, and availability | Faucets • Soap |
| Kohler | Brand‑driven interiors | Premium finishes + solid performance | Faucets • (select Dispensers) |
| Moen | Hospitality, offices | Modern styling, consistent UX | Faucets • (select Dispensers) |
| DELABIE | Transit, stadiums | Vandal‑resistant, public‑use reliability | Faucets |
Want a tailored shortlist?
Tell us the typology (healthcare, hospitality, education, retail, civic), expected traffic, finish palette, power constraints, and your per‑fixture budget. We’ll return a focused set of brand + model options with cut‑sheets.
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