Designer bathroom-ware manufacturer Studio Bagno continues its support of Australian design – acknowledging the high calibre of our country’s design professionals with their latest product range anchored by the ‘Q’ suite.

The collection is based around the ‘Q’ Suite WC – in collaboration with Blue Sky Design Group’s Mark Armstrong. Blue Sky Design are industrial designers for many leading consumer brands including Victa, Phillips and Electrolux, as well as designing the 2000 Olympic Torch and countless other professional and industry products.

The Q WC cements Studio Bagno’s commitment to bringing the market Australian-designed products. “When we decided to develop this product, we looked around for a cutting edge industrial design company to work with,” says Lee Melrose – Managing Director of Studio Bagno. “When we found Mark Armstrong and looked at his portfolio we went, ‘look at this stuff’.”

“We looked at his portfolio and the design process he went through, then worked with him on a brief telling him what we were looking for, but left him totally free to come up with a design.”

Despite Q’s striking aesthetics, it was the internal hydraulics, which formed the foundation for the design. “There is no point designing a W.C. that looks fantastic if it doesn’t flush properly,” Melrose says.’¨’¨“We spent a great deal of money and time with the manufacturers on the latest hydraulic modelling to make sure the toilet could be as efficient as possible, before dressing it to become the beautiful design it is.”’¨

Unique features of the Q WC include an increased height, catering for a population that is ageing – and also for a younger population that is getting taller – as well as the most advanced valve system delivered by world-leader Geberit.

“When we began Studio Bagno, we allocated a disproportionate amount of the capital we had to invest in design,” Melrose says. “While we go to Italy several times a year to source great products we felt that in certain product areas we must give Australian designers an opportunity to show what they are capable of – the Q suite is the most noteworthy example of this to date.”

 “Our company works principally with Architects and Interior Designers, so when we do something that carries the Studio Bagno name, it has to be a fabulous product. The Q is also the synthesis of the very generous advice given to us by our many friends in the design community – they were thrilled to have input into a product.

“Retail bathroom-ware businesses such as Candana – Just Bathroomware, Mary Noall and Christiaans as well as project giants Harvey Norman and the Crane Group’s Mico gave us valuable feedback and ideas in how to improve the product.”

The result is an Australian Designed classic in the making – the Q is already being sold under licence in several European countries.

The ‘Q’ semi-recessed basins join the Q WC to offer a fully coordinated suite of bathroom-ware. The ‘Q’ WC will be available in Australia from September 2009, with further additions planned for the range in the near future. ’¨

studiobagno.com.au