New achievement in water design: Axor, the designer
brand of Hansgrohe SE, is introducing a revolutionary washbasin mixer. Growing
out of Axor’s relentless drive for products that reflect the vitality and
emotionality of water, the brand’s first transparent mixer, Axor Starck V, was
brought to life in collaboration with Philippe Starck. Its official presentation
takes place at the Axor flagship store DURINIQUINDICI in Milan from April 7 –
April 13.
“The vortex phenomenon has
occupied my father Klaus Grohe for several years”, explains Philippe Grohe, Head
of Axor. “His intuition that water could visibly be brought to the foreground
through the vortex, was the starting point in the development of Axor Starck V.
In our long-time friend Philippe Starck, we not only found the perfect design
partner to create a shape around the vortex, but also a valuable sparring
partner in the developmental process. Ultimately, the realisation of the project
was not made possible by creativity and determination alone, but by technical
know-how and over 100 years of experience in handling water.” The result
according to Philippe Starck “is a mixer that represents the absolute minimum:
totally transparent, almost invisible, and enclosing a miracle that is the
vortex.”
Connecting with Water through
the Vortex
For more than 20 years the
human interaction with water and space has been at the core of Axor’s
innovations. Axor Starck V will be one of the most prominent translations of
this idea yet: with the beauty and dynamism of its vortex, the mixer bridges the
gap between the functional and emotional aspects of water at the washbasin,
transforming it from a basic commodity to a valuable resource.
Organic Design and the Aesthetics of
Transparency
The organic, transparent
design of Axor Starck V gives it an exciting, yet subdued presence. Besides
serving the technical function of making water visible, transparency
aesthetically fuses the mixer body with its surroundings, thus, in essence
de-materialising it. The openly designed spout contributes to the natural water
experience: before the eyes of the user, the upward, swirling motion of water
through the mixer’s body and its “free-fall” into the washbasin trigger a
feeling of joy and happiness.
Experiencing Water through Technology and Innovation
True to the Hansgrohe principle of producing highly
aesthetic, functional and sustainable bathroom products, Axor Starck V shines
with a multitude of innovations that together are certain to define a whole new
category of washbasin mixers. For example, the mixer is produced out of the
organic material crystal glass, which is sustainable and durable. With a flow
rate of 4 l/min, Axor Starck saves water without compromising the user
experience. The open, rotatable, and detachable spout offers additional comfort:
flexible installation of the mixer body in combination with the washbasin and
easy cleaning in the dishwasher.
