What Axor Massaud
Who A collaboration between Axor and Jean-Marie Massaud
For A new and innovative line of bathroom fittings
Why A winning German-French partnership resulting in truly stunning bathroom design.
www.axor-design.com
Trying to redefine the philosophy of the bathroom must be no easy feat but acclaimed French designer Jean-Marie Massaud, known for his unconventional approach to design, has achieved just that through his work with Axor, the luxury brand of the Hansgrohe Group. Massaud may have wanted to be an inventor as a child but these days his aim is to construct a human vision of sustainable development in the service of life itself. Invention in order to bring form to thought. Constructing to give life substance.
Of course Axor, being an industry leader in the field of bathroom design, has a history of collaboration with leading designers and architects from across the globe. Massaud was a natural choice thanks to his exciting and varied portfolio ranging from football stadiums to wacky but funky ideas such as flying hotels. The core idea behind their collaboration was a symbiosis between man, nature and space. By taking its inspiration from nature, Axor Massaud harmoniously links organic and geometrical shapes, natural aesthetics and modern design. The neutral palette, sweeping lines and the lack of an industrial feel leave you with a sense of calm that imbues the same emotions as nature. There’s less emphasis placed on obvious fittings, the collection features disguised taps, innovative mixers and baths and showers that are a step away from the traditional.
“Like a lot of other designers I met he [Massaud] said ‘we don’t need products, we need service, we need the emotion we don’t need lamps, we need light, we don’t need radiators, we need warmth. We don’t need a cup we need the water,’” says Philippe Grohe, Axor’s global brand manager. This approach is clear to see, the tap isn’t a traditional tap, it’s a shelf that water pours from and the baths are oval-shaped with high sides. Yet this is no wasteful spring, for water conservation is very much at the forefront of Axor’s designs. “I was talking to a very gifted Italian interior designer about how we spend a lot of money on conversation of water,” says Grohe. “He told me that you can only impress rich people with beauty. I had a lot of time to think about this. In the end, when we went forward, we had to give people more, but make them use less. With Axor Massaud, the products use less water. It’s like a caress; we worked for two years just on this aspect.”
The undeniably modern feel allied with such natural, soft styling makes Axor Massaud a fine addition to the realm of luxury bathrooms. Axor stresses the individuality of our personal spaces and nothing is more personal than the bathroom. The collection creates a sense of calm, a relaxing environment in which to begin and end your day.
