Nautica
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
Nautica, a dynamic convergence of nautical inspiration, and minimal design. The primary form of this tap was inspired by the shape of a ships anchor. When closed, the tap handle and spout merge to form one seamless arch. To open the tap the user breaks that surface by pushing back on the handle, only then do the hot/cold indicators become visible. When closed they are hidden away not to detract from the seamless, minimal form. The tap stands 185mm tall with the spout protruding 80mm 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 a custom aerator will drop the flow-rate substantially, saving water.
Nautica is 1 of 2 concepts I designed for the competition, this design made the top 5 entries in the professional category.
