Industrial designer Michael Wilds has been named winner of the professional category, receiving a $10,000 cash reward and the opportunity to have his tap design prototyped by Italy’s largest tapware manufacturer, Nobilli. His winning design, Incline, combines sustainable water use features and a refined sculptural form to create a functional tap.

Judges admired the original thinking and space-saving minimalism of the design, which includes a timed tap feature and visual countdown element that allows the user to monitor their water use through time.

“The main idea behind Incline was to design a sculptural yet functional product for the bathroom, a talking piece that aimed to promote sustainable water-use,” said Michael.

University of New South Wales fourth-year industrial design student, Bryce Beard, is winner of the student category. Bryce’s winning tap design, Totus, will see him receive a $5,000 cash prize and a two-week internship with the design team of world-leading bathroom manufacturer, Roca. The internship will take place in Barcelona, Spain, where Roca is headquartered and promises to be a career-defining experience for Bryce.

“Winning this award really acknowledged that I’m doing something right,” said Bryce. “It encourages me to create better products and to continue to innovate.”

His winning design takes inspiration from old thermostats, combining the function of adjusting water temperature and flow in a single conceptual mixer design. A special LED light feature provides a visual gauge for the user, with changing colour intensity representing different temperature levels.

Both professional and student winners were selected by BIA’s panel of nationally and internationally renowned judges including Lorenzo Logi, Amanda Stanaway, James Harper, Justin Wagemakers, Josep Congost, Shaynna Blaze, Roberto Palomba and Daniel Dalla Riva.

Bathroom Innovation Award
bathroominnovation.com.au