Five highly unique spouts designed by David Adjaye, Werner Aisslinger, FRONT, GamFratesi and Jean-Marie Massaud in collaboration with Axor are currently on display at the Axor showroom in Milan as part of FuoriSalone (11 – 17 April).
Building on the technological capabilities of the Axor U-Base – an innovative fixture base that allows spouts to easily be attached and detached – the architects and designers present their vision for the meaning of water within the living spaces of tomorrow, using alternative materials and forms.
In Ritual by British architect David Adjaye, water appears from under the granite inlay that is cradled by a wedge-shaped, precious metal (bronze) spout. The water, always in view, is ritualised: from source, to flow, and finally, to descent.
The Sea and the Shore by Werner Aisslinger
German designer Werner Aisslinger’s conceptual spout, The Sea and the Shore, is a hybrid consisting of a fountain and a shelf – a space for rituality and functionality. Crafted from clay, an ancient and historical material, it emphasises the longevity and the value of water and water-releasing objects in our societies.
Water flows from platform to platform in Water Steps, a sculptural metal spout by the Swedish duo, FRONT. Focusing on the playful exchange between form and water, it aesthetically and acoustically underscores the emotional potential of the natural element as it flows over PVD-finished metallic surfaces.
Zen, designed by the Danish-Italian duo GamFratesi, reinterprets the classic Japanese wood fountain. With its minimalistic form and water flow, it achieves a tranquil and meditative spirit, which depicts the honest connection between nature and water.
Lastly, Jean-Marie Massaud’s Mimicry suggests a water-releasing object in complete harmony with the architectural landscape. Material (marble) and form (simple, geometric shapes) suggest an inherent connection to water and achieves an emotional enhancement of both object and resource.
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