Aloe
Bathroom mixer concept
The Task
Cobra, an Iconic South African brand that manufacturers taps, mixers and other sanitaryware, hosted a national competition to design a bathroom tap or mixer in 2013. The designs should be sustainable, pay attention to clever use of materials, and be manufacturable.
The Outcome
Aloe, a fluid, dynamic mixer tap inspired by the natural forms of flowing water and leaves. The name Aloe stems from the aloe plant which was the initial inspiration behind the form of this tap. A dynamic balance of flowing surfaces and crisp edges creates a tap of natural beauty. This organic exterior was carefully sculpted around the inner components to create something that not only looks beautiful, but functions just as well. The tap stands 140mm tall with the spout protruding 140mm over the basin for easy and comfortable hand washing. The tap body houses a 25mm ceramic mixer cartridge that would flow less than 6L/m this coupled with an aerator will drop the flow-rate substantially, saving water.
Aloe placed 2nd in the competition and has since recieved much publicity making its way into several magazines. A prototype of Aloe was also made by the Cobra team and unveiled the following year. This should be followed by manufacture in the near future.
