Press Information
More Freedom in Industrial Design:
Axor Introduces New Axor WaterDream with
ECAL/University of Art and Design Lausanne
Esher, May 2015. Axor, the design brand from Hansgrohe, has unveiled a
new vision of freedom in industrial design - a universal fixture base that
allows bespoke spout designs to be attached using an easy click-in
system. This charming combination of high-quality fixture components and
unique spouts was displayed from 13-17th April, at the Axor showroom
DURINIQUINDICI in Milan’s Via Durini 15 during Fuorisalone 2015.
For several years, Axor has been dealing with the question of how best to
achieve the greatest freedom in industrial design. Together with ECAL,
the renowned University of Art and Design in Lausanne, Switzerland, the
design brand has developed conceptual answers to this question, and
moreover, produced crafted and hand-blown glass spouts – the Axor
WaterDream 2015.
“With ECAL we found a creative partner who approached our Axor
WaterDream project with great passion and an artistic spirit”, Philippe
Grohe, Head of Axor, explains. “Our technical innovation, a new fixture
base, served as the starting point for the design students in creating their
own, personal spouts”. And Alexis Georgacopoulos, Director of ECAL
adds: “We regularly receive the opportunity to work with world-famous
brands – especially in the field of industrial design. The Axor WaterDream
project is a perfect example because it has allowed our students to
conceptually experiment with what they have learned, without losing sight
of the innovation”.
Hansgrohe SE · Public Relations · Auestrasse 5-9 · 77761 Schiltach · Germany · Phone +49 7836 51 0 · Fax +49 7836 51 1170 · [email protected]
www.hansgrohe.com · Reproduction free of charge · Proof and voucher copy please · Commercial Registry: District Court Stuttgart, Registration No: HRB 740779
Sales Tax ID No: DE 812782725 · Executive Board: Thorsten Klapproth (Chairman), Richard Grohe (Deputy Chairman), Frank Schnatz, Frank Semling
Chairman of the Supervisory Board: Klaus F. Jaenecke
Complete Freedom in Design with the Axor U-Base
The key to this new freedom in industrial design is the Axor U-Base – an
innovative fixture base that provides the quality of an industrially produced
product. From standardized spouts to bespoke original pieces – the latter
of which are supported by the Axor Manufaktur, an exclusive service area
within the Hansgrohe production facilities – the Axor U-Base allows
countless combination possibilities.
The Axor WaterDream
For more than 20 years now Axor has been developing alternative visions
for the bathroom as a living space. In this regard, the focus is also on
providing additional scope for creative development, for breaking down
established
behaviour
patterns,
and
for
conducting
an
open,
interdisciplinary dialogue – with internationally renowned design partners
such as Jean-Marie Massaud, Patricia Urquiola, the Bouroullec brothers,
Front or Nendo. Bachelor and Master Students of ECAL now join these
ranks with their own personal Axor WaterDream.
Hansgrohe SE · Public Relations · Auestrasse 5-9 · 77761 Schiltach · Germany · Phone +49 7836 51 0 · Fax +49 7836 51 1170 · [email protected]
www.hansgrohe.com · Reproduction free of charge · Proof and voucher copy please · Commercial Registry: District Court Stuttgart, Registration No: HRB 740779
Sales Tax ID No: DE 812782725 · Executive Board: Thorsten Klapproth (Chairman), Richard Grohe (Deputy Chairman), Frank Schnatz, Frank Semling
Chairman of the Supervisory Board: Klaus F. Jaenecke
About ECAL/University of Art and Design Lausanne
Enjoying international renown and featured regularly among the world’s
top ten universities of art and design, ECAL is directed by Alexis
Georgacopoulos. The school currently offers six Bachelor programs (Fine
Arts, Cinema, Graphic Design, Industrial Design, Media & Interaction
Design, Photography), five Master programs (Art Direction, Fine Arts,
Film, Integrated Innovation for Product & Business Development, Product
Design) and two Master of Advanced Studies (MAS) in Design for Luxury
& Craftsmanship and in Design Research for Digital Innovation (with
EPFL+ECAL Lab). ECAL also offers a one-year Foundation Course to
prepare students for entrance to the different Bachelor’s programs.
Axor, the designer brand of Hansgrohe SE, successfully realises
“Designer Visions for Your Bathroom". In cooperation with Axor, leading
architects, interior and product designers develop their vision for the
bathroom as a living space. The Axor Collections offer a great number of
unique and sustainable solutions to create personalised bathrooms of the
highest aesthetic and technological levels. To date, Axor design partners
include Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec, Antonio Citterio, Front, Jean-Marie
Massaud, Nendo, Phoenix Design, Philippe Starck, and Patricia Urquiola.
They all contribute towards making life in and around the bathroom a little
more meaningful and beautiful. The Axor brand is headed by Philippe
Grohe, grandson of the company’s founder Hans Grohe.
Find out more about Axor on:
www.facebook.com/axor.design
www.twitter.com/hansgrohe_pr
Design leader in the sanitation industry
In the current ranking of the International
Forum Design (iF) of the world's best
enterprises in the field of design, Hansgrohe
SE is in 11th position among 2,000
companies. With a score of 740 points, the
Schiltach-based bathroom mixers and
shower specialist even outperforms such
enterprises as Daimler, Volkswagen, and
Hansgrohe SE · Public Relations · Auestrasse 5-9 · 77761 Schiltach · Germany · Phone +49 7836 51 0 · Fax +49 7836 51 1170 · [email protected]
www.hansgrohe.com · Reproduction free of charge · Proof and voucher copy please · Commercial Registry: District Court Stuttgart, Registration No: HRB 740779
Sales Tax ID No: DE 812782725 · Executive Board: Thorsten Klapproth (Chairman), Richard Grohe (Deputy Chairman), Frank Schnatz, Frank Semling
Chairman of the Supervisory Board: Klaus F. Jaenecke
adidas and leads the design hit list in the
sanitation industry.
www.hansgrohe.com/design
Further information:
Esprit PR Ltd.
Tracy Ann Bates
Nicky Corrigan
Phone: +44 1428 714546
E-Mail: [email protected] or [email protected]
Hansgrohe SE · Public Relations · Auestrasse 5-9 · 77761 Schiltach · Germany · Phone +49 7836 51 0 · Fax +49 7836 51 1170 · [email protected]
www.hansgrohe.com · Reproduction free of charge · Proof and voucher copy please · Commercial Registry: District Court Stuttgart, Registration No: HRB 740779
Sales Tax ID No: DE 812782725 · Executive Board: Thorsten Klapproth (Chairman), Richard Grohe (Deputy Chairman), Frank Schnatz, Frank Semling
Chairman of the Supervisory Board: Klaus F. Jaenecke
Picture Overview
Axor WaterDream with ECAL
Carafe by ECAL / Léa Pereyre & Claire Pondard
Copyright: ECAL / Axel Crettenand
Lotus by ECAL / Iris Andreadis
Copyright: ECAL / Axel Crettenand
Carafe utilises Axor’s U-Base system and its ability to plug
and unplug. A clever spout hidden in the handle makes
the carafe as functional as it is beautiful.
Inspired by the leaf of the sacred lotus, this faucet brings
nature into the bathroom and conveys a sense of calm
and serenity.
Vanity Mirror by ECAL / Thomas Elliott Burns
Copyright: ECAL / Axel Crettenand
Glass by ECAL / Jordane Vernet
Copyright: ECAL / Axel Crettenand
The connection between water and our reflection has
existed long before the invention of the faucet or the
mirror. This piece combines the faucet with a mirror and a
small shelf space, changing our expected landscape of
the bathroom.
The conical shape above the spout creates a space to
stack glasses in a smart way, conveniently providing
drinking glasses and keeping the sink space tidy.
Hansgrohe SE · Public Relations · Auestrasse 5-9 · 77761 Schiltach · Germany · Phone +49 7836 51 0 · Fax +49 7836 51 1170 · [email protected]
www.hansgrohe.com · Reproduction free of charge · Proof and voucher copy please · Commercial Registry: District Court Stuttgart, Registration No: HRB 740779
Sales Tax ID No: DE 812782725 · Executive Board: Thorsten Klapproth (Chairman), Richard Grohe (Deputy Chairman), Frank Schnatz, Frank Semling
Chairman of the Supervisory Board: Klaus F. Jaenecke
Bend by ECAL / Stanislaw Czarnocki & Katarzyna Kempa Alexis Georgacopoulos
Copyright: ECAL / Axel Crettenand
Copyright: ECAL / Axel Crettenand
Starting with a standard tube shape and adding a single
cut, the spout portion of the faucet is bent away from the
main body of the faucet. This elegant solution speaks
towards simplicity in production methods.
Since 2011 Alexis Georgacopoulos has been at the helm
of ECAL – the renowned University of Art and Design in
Lausanne, Switzerland.
Philippe Grohe_Portrait_BW
Copyright: Alexander Schneider für Axor / Hansgrohe SE
Philippe Grohe_Portrait_Color
Copyright: Alexander Schneider für Axor / Hansgrohe
SE
The grandson of the company's founder Hans Grohe was born in 1967 in Switzerland. After studying photography and
international marketing, he completed several special projects in the US before taking over as director of the French
distribution subsidiary Hansgrohe S.à.r.l. in 1997. Since 2001 he has been the head of Hansgrohe's designer brand Axor
at the company's headquarters in Schiltach in the Black Forest. In his free time the passionate photographer enjoys
playing squash, diving and surfing.
Copyright: We must draw your attention to the fact that we have only limited usage rights for the images provided, all
further rights however belong to the respective photographers. These images may therefore only be published free of
charge if they clearly and expressly serve to portray or advertise the performances, products or projects of Hansgrohe SE
and/or its brands (Axor, Hansgrohe, Pharo and Pontos). Any other form of publication requires the approval of the
respective copyright owner and remuneration must be made in agreement with said copyright owner.
Hansgrohe SE · Public Relations · Auestrasse 5-9 · 77761 Schiltach · Germany · Phone +49 7836 51 0 · Fax +49 7836 51 1170 · [email protected]
www.hansgrohe.com · Reproduction free of charge · Proof and voucher copy please · Commercial Registry: District Court Stuttgart, Registration No: HRB 740779
Sales Tax ID No: DE 812782725 · Executive Board: Thorsten Klapproth (Chairman), Richard Grohe (Deputy Chairman), Frank Schnatz, Frank Semling
Chairman of the Supervisory Board: Klaus F. Jaenecke