david adjaye + jean marie-massaud among creatives who re-imagine faucet for AXOR waterdream

david adjaye + jean marie-massaud among creatives who re-imagine faucet for AXOR waterdream

each year, as part of their waterdream project, AXOR invites a select group of international designers and architects to think about the meaning of water within the living space, and envision new solutions for the bathroom of the future. previously, the designer brand of hansgrohe SE asked nendo and front to re-think the shower. the japanese creative re-imagined the shower as a lamp, physically taking on the archetypal form of one, as well as functioning as a hanging light; while the swedish studio took a more technical approach, conceiving it as a water installation in which the network of pipes and hardware components typically hidden behind a wall, were exposed and visible to the eye. during milan design week 2016, AXOR presents five unique spouts that through their materiality, form and function, bringing a new emotional value to the faucet, and the water that passes through it.

david adjaye, werner aisslinger, FRONT, gamfratesi and jean-marie massaud were given creative liberty to develop their own faucet. using the AXOR U-base fixture as its foundation, the only mandate was that the designs needed to be conceived using alternative materials and non-traditional forms. despite the diversity of each of their practices, and their very different views on the meaning of water within the interior space, each architect and designer has imagined a spout that while being quite sculptural in form, is fully functional and offers new perceptions of the faucet and what it can do.

‘mimicry’ by jean-marie massaud

image © designboom

jean-marie massaud‘s ‘mimcry’ suggests a water-releasing object that is in complete harmony with the architectural landscape. utilizing simple, geometric shapes, rendered in marble, the design suggests an inherent connection to water, achieving an emotional enhancement of both object and resource.

‘the sea and the shore’ by werner aisslingerthe sea and the shore’ by werner aisslinger is a hybrid between a fountain and a shelf. crafted from an ancient material, clay, the spout emphasizes the longevity and value of water in our society.

image © designboom

‘zen’ by gamfratesi

image © designboom

gamfratesi re-interprets the classic japanese wood fountain with ‘zen’. minimalistic in form, together with the flow of water, it exudes a tranquil and meditative spirit that depicts an honest connection between nature and water.

‘water steps’ by FRONT

‘water steps’ by FRONT is a sculptural metal spout that sees water flowing from one platform to another. focusing on the playful exchange between form and water, the design aesthetically and acoustically underlines the emotional potential of the natural resource as it flows over the reflective surfaces.

image © designboom

‘ritual’ by david adjaye

david adjaye’s ‘ritual’ sees water emerging from under a granite inlay that is cradled by a wedge-shaped bronze spout. the water is constantly in view — from source to flow to descent.
image © designboom

‘with the AXOR waterdream project 2016, we discussed the meaning and value of water in our living space with some of the world’s best architects and designers, while testing the limits of individualization,’ says philippe grohe, vice president of design management of hansgrohe SE.

collectively, whether by integration or making an obvious statement, the five spouts address the evolving desire for individuality, emotional and sensory experiences within our living spaces.