SaphirKeramik washbasins by Konstantin Grcic and Toan Nguyen for Laufen

At this year’s Salone del Mobile, Laufen presented new SaphirKeramik washbasin prototypes by Konstantin Grcic and Toan Nguyen.

Following years of research and development, Laufen’s revolutionary SaphirKeramik material, that combines resistance, lightness and slimness, was first introduced last year as part of Laufen’s collaboration with Kartell.

SaphirKeramik’s chemical structure combines sapphire crystals with ceramic, which provides ten times the hardness and bending strength than that of traditional ceramic and a weight and material reduction of up to 40%.

In addition, the finish is whiter, less glaze is needed in the final kiln firing process and corner fillets and chamfers can be produced in blade-like thicknesses  of just 1-2 millimeters.

This year, designers Konstantin Grcic and Toan Nguyen worked with the material to produce a series of prototype washbasins for Laufen. Konstantin Grcic’s designs are composed of geometric shapes, patterns and textures of varying sizes. 

The rectangular and circular designs feature decorative but functional details – such as textured drainage surfaces for placing soap and bathroom products. Grcic explains that the designs “must have a meaning but also and above all be pleasing, enter into a relationship with the user, make them feel at home.”

Meanwhile, inspired by the work of Achille Castiglioni, French designer Toan Nguyen’s design reimagines the archetypal washbasin design with the introduction of new, impossibly slim, liquid-like elements that exploit the unique properties and capabilities of SaphirKeramik.

 

Posted May 30th, 2014 by Ali Morris