This year’s award is encouraging designers to explore the future of tapware in the bathroom. Design an innovative tapware concept for the contemporary bathroom environment and have your entry judged by a panel of local and international design industry leaders.

2014 professional winner Queena Le receives her prize

The evolution of tapware was centre stage as the global leaders of bathroom design recently descended on Frankfurt for the world’s largest international bathroom fair, ISH. This long-running fair showcases the latest trends and newest thinking in the bathroom space.

Muted colours were plentiful across all bathroom products.

This year there was an evident shift towards considering the bathroom as a whole and how the products within that space interact and integrate. Traditional materials of satin, glazed and matte surfaces were challenged by more natural materials such as stone, marble, glass and timber. There was also a greater focus on how we experience the bathroom on a sensory level with an increasing number of products integrating audio, colourful LED lights and tech-savvy features.

Customisable tapware was a stand-out at this year’s ISH

Fine lines dominated, with delicate tapware making a striking impression. Colours are becoming subtler and moodier, with muted tones and natural hues flourishing. Designers are also responding to a growing desire for individuality as consumers look for products that suit their unique needs, with tapware being adapted and matched to homes down to a precise millimetre measurement.

Fine lines were seen in everything from basins to tapware at ISH.

While the innovative products and clever thinking at this year’s ISH were impressive, it’s seeing the ground-breaking ideas that emerge from the BIA that is truly inspiring. The BIA continues to direct the evolution of bathroom design and the careers of those who partake in it by giving design professionals and students the chance to share in a $15,000 prize pool and showcase their work to the world.

Professional Michael Hoppe’s 2014 winning design, Cylinder

If you haven’t yet begun your design, you still have one month to enter as the competition closes on Monday 1 June. Visit bathroominnovation.com.au to make your mark on the design industry, and for more competition information and inspiration.

Prizes this year for the professional winner includes $10,000 cash and their design prototyped by Italy’s largest tapware manufacturer, Nobili. The student winner will receive $5000 and a two week internship at Roca in Spain. Entries are now open and competition closes on 1 June. Register now and keep an eye on this year’s judges and the BIA competition by following @Reece_BIA on social media and visiting the website bathroominnovation.com.au