philippe starck: AXOR starck organic - water saving faucet

philippe starck: AXOR starck organic – water saving faucet
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designboom was in berlin for the debut of ‘AXOR starck organic’, a bathroom collection which is the result of a collaborative venture between luxury bathroom line AXOR of the german compnay hansgrohe and philippe starck. taking its formal cues from nature, the minimalist device prioritizes sustainable water practices with low flow rates of 3.5 liters per minute (on a booster setting one is able to receive a maximum flow rate of 5 liters per minute). what is unique about starck’s mixer is that it steers away from the classic single lever options on the market. instead, the ‘AXOR starck organic’ presents a design which features two ergonomic and intuitive handles, separating the temperature control, located at the top of the mixer, from the water volume control, positioned at the lower end of the spout. these elements are harmoniously integrated into the body, and by having them function as self-contained parts, allows for economic water consumption. for example, having your personal temperature setting pre-adjusted, means less water is used to reach your desired heat or cold intensity.

the overall body of the tap uses 1/2 less brass than conventional products with a hollow body, and decoupled flow prevents water from coming into direct contact with the mixer, keeping drinking water free from lead and nickel interferences at all times. the resulting spray introduces a new sensation within conventional water basins. gentle drops of water are released from 90 individual outlets creating an efficient spread. merging comfort with responsible water use encourages a new and positive norm in how we look at our consumption of the natural resource.

or its north american debut, the mixers are now available in gold, as an expression of the line’s exclusivity and luxuriousness
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comprised of more than 40 products for all aspects of the bathroom: including four faucet heights and wall mounted solutions, as well as exposed or concealed-mounted shower and bathtub fixtures using thermostatic energy, the formal elements of ‘AXOR starck organic’ allow it to be combined harmoniously with other collections of the range, its shape based off starck’s original design for AXOR 20 years ago, which was influenced by a simple outdoor farm tap.

the mixer features two ergonomic handles which separate the water flow intensity and temperature controls from each other
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‘in our very first discussions about this new project, it was already clear to us, that we were aiming for a new way to use water in a responsible way’, recalls philippe grohe. starck adds: ‘this collection is yet another revolution, a new cocktail of highest technology and good philosophy.

installation view of ‘AXOR starck organic’ during new york design week 2013
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wall mounted 2-handle basin mixer
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mixer for the bathtub
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the ‘AXOR starck organic’ at its debut in berlin, september 2012:

‘AXOR starck organic’ by philippe starck for AXOR hansgrohe
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philippe starck
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two of the collection’s faucet typologies
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detail of the water outlets
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90 individual countless produce countless drops of water
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‘AXOR starck organic’ in context
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e-werk in berlin, germany where ‘AXOR starck organic’ debuted
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‘AXOR starck organic’ collection is comprised of 40 pieces

form-finding sketches of AXOR starck collection by philippe starck 20 years ago

update:
we have updated the original article from september 19th, 2012–below see images of the new finishes available for the ‘AXOR starck organic’ bathroom collection, along with a new video of philippe starck talking about his design at the north american premier of the collection during new york design week 2013. for its debut, AXOR has showcased the bathroom fixtures in a lustrous gold custom finish, which illustrates the exclusivity of the line.