i+D - November/December 2018 - 60

Living by
Design
Bathrooms

Artistic faucets from
Gi-Design/Menea
Group are titanium
and stainless Water
Sculptures inspired
by the forms of
nature, in this case
of a boa.
(Image: Menea Group)

Looks Count
"Faucet designs that were ADA-compliant used to be plain and, frankly,
dull," says John Weinstein, director, North America of Franz Viegener. Not
anymore, he assures. "Beginning with the basics for a coordinated look,
each collection consists of matching faucets, shower systems, deck and
wall-mounted fixtures, floor-mounted tub fillers, and accessories."
As to the process, he states, "Our design team considers bringing a beautiful
design element into a useful product, addressing both the needs of the
disabled and elderly, while maintaining the aesthetics desired. If we can
meet both challenges, then it's a win-win."
Launched this year, the company's Lollipop single-hole faucet uses the latest
technology in its tilting control lever that requires only the softest touch to
turn it on, giving it ADA approval, while its unobtrusive design complements
the faucet's aesthetic, and the knurled texture provides visual balance. "We
aim to find new ways to visualize a faucet...proving that ADA compliancy
doesn't mean 'ordinary,'" Weinstein explains. Pointing out that Lollipop and
the equally universally designed Nerea faucets are available in many finishes,
including polished and rose gold, he adds, "They not only function well, but
are pieces of art, perfect for any high-end, contemporary bath."

Art or...
Among the most imaginative faucets-they were
exhibited at Milan's Triennale Design Museum in
2016-are those from Gi-Design in Italy's Piedmont
region. The current models of the Water Sculptures,
as they're called, bring to mind loose drawings
of a horse, snake, boa, and eagle.
Made of titanium-steel also is offered-"the
Sculptures are fully customizable," says Matteo Enea,
chief executive, Menea Group, the company's U.S.
representative. "From the materials to the various
kinds of knobs to the shape, our team has experience
in several architecture and design fields, so they're
able to create objects that interpret innovative visions
with practicality and comfort."
Activated by an innovative technological system,
the Sculptures can be remotely controlled via touch,
Wi-Fi, and voice. A disc or wireless steel cylinder
activates the water. A beam of multicolored LED
lights appears as the water flows. A client's preferred
temperature and water level is regulated by the
simple pressing of a button. It's easy to operate for all
kinds of clients, and just one more way a beautifully
designed bath can be truly accessible to all.

Franz Viegener's new
Lollipop faucet combines
a soft-touch, tilting
control lever with
a knurled texture for
visual balance.
(Image: Franz Viegener)

Hansgrohe's AXOR
Montreux collection
of faucets, showers, and
accessories is modeled
after the design of
the first industrially
manufactured faucets.
(Image: Hansgrohe)

60

i+D - November/December 2018

MICHELE KEITH
is a New York-based writer whose work has
appeared in The New York Times, ASPIRE
Design and Home, Luxury Listings NYC, and
DESIGN, among other magazines. She also
has written two coffee table books for The
Monacelli Press: Designers Here and There and
Designers Abroad.
i+D - November/December 2018

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