philippe grohe introduces antonio citterio's third collection for AXOR

philippe grohe introduces antonio citterio’s third collection for AXOR

in his third collection for AXOR — the designer brand of hansgrohe — antonio citterio wanted to develop products that indicated a cohesiveness and fluidity across the family of 37 pieces, and exuded a timelessness. the result is ‘AXOR citterio E’, defined by smooth forms and clean lines, which are elegant in appearance. at its base, the series of sanitary ware is characterized by soft and slender mixer designs, as featured with the single lever faucet with an upright joystick handle; or 3-hole mixers with classic cross-handles, with the designs envisioned to seamlessly integrate with a range of washbasins already on the market.

if users are taking a bath, they can easily switch into shower mode

intuitiveness, eliminating any confusion as to how each fixture functions, was a primary consideration for the italian architect and designer. working on luxury accommodations for brands such as bulgari and the mandarin, he took into mind the initial awkward moments in a hotel bath when one tries to understand how to turn on the water. with this in mind, citterio has indicated volume and temperature controls across the entirety of ‘AXOR citterio E’ — from the washbasins to the bathtubs and shower mixers — in an easy way. he has used classic shapes throughout the designs that instinctively express what each is used for, with cross-handles controlling the water volume, and cylindrical thermostat hands for temperature adjustment.

‘AXOR citterio E’ features slender mixer designs, some of which are single lever faucets with upright joystick handles

further addressing application in modern hotel bathrooms, where having two shower heads has become a standard (with the installation of both overhead and hand-held versions), citterio has conceived a two-way diverter that indicates which one is in use; and has envisioned hansgrohe’s select thermostat technology through a set of buttons with easy-to-understand icons that allow separate control of hand, side and overhead showers. additionally, if users are taking a bath, they can effortlessly switch the flow of water from the bath spout to the hand shower by pulling on a labeled lever – even with soapy hands.

‘the result of this most recent collaboration is the ‘essence of luxury’. the products are not only characterized by flexible implementation, but also by exceptional ease of use and a pleasant touch and feel‘, explains antonio citterio.

classic shapes such as cross-handles and cylindrical knobs characterize ‘AXOR citterio E’

‘our successful design partnership with antonio citterio began 14 years ago‘, says philippe grohe, head of AXOR. ‘the success story that began with the AXOR citterio collection is continually evolving. AXOR citterio E is a charming combination of modern and classical features – elegant and timeless products of the highest quality that not only enhance the bathroom as a whole, but also our experience with the element of water.’

possible arrangement of ‘AXOR citterio E’ and ‘AXOR universal accessories’

to accompany his collaboration on the ‘AXOR citterio E’ line, citterio also designed AXOR’s first comprehensive system of accessories. consisting of bars, handles and shelf elements, ‘AXOR universal accessories’ is a network of 12 modules that bring simple order and convenience to the bathroom (as well as kitchens). continuing his desire to create pieces that defy trends, citterio renders the products with a timeless and elegant aesthetic while showcasing the workmanship that goes into the AXOR’s production, harmonizing the collection with several of AXOR’s existing fixture series and bathroom décors.

the ‘AXOR universal accessories’ line is a network of 12 modules

a combination of high-quality materials such as chrome-plated metal, mirrored and white glass express a feeling of luxury, simultaneously contributing to the durability and hygiene of the designs as they are easy to clean. one of the particular standout features is the wall-mounted bar in which a soap dispenser, small shelf, cup and toothbrush holder can be installed, granted the freedom to move freely along the horizontal axis of the rail. though the attachments each serve different functions, they are visually unified by the same support once again bringing a cohesiveness to the series.

a horizontal bar is at the base of the accessories line, in which different attachment modules can be placed

‘accessories have a significant effect on the overall appearance of a room; they are an essential part of its décor. when i design something, I strive to create products that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing. for instance, bars inside the shower function as a support for other accessories and serve as towel bars outside the shower‘, explains antonio citterio.

‘out of individual, high-quality components visually appealing and harmonious accessory solutions are born. these can be re-arranged or complemented by adding more components if the need arises. this means, customizing room designs becomes much simpler‘, says philippe grohe, head of AXOR.

both ‘AXOR citterio E’ and the ‘AXOR universal accessories’ are available in six scratch- and cleanser-resistant PVD-treated surfaces; black chrome, chrome, bronze, gold optic, red gold or nickel; in polished or brushed finishes, and are on market of november 2014.