Not infrequently, more or less famous designers have tried their hand at designing sanitary ware series for the most varied (more or less famous!) ceramic manufacturers.
The first that comes to mind – as someone who has been elevated to the rank of ‘archistar’ – is surely Philippe Starck!
Philippe Starck
“The Starck 1 series by Duravit is now a modern classic. Minimalist design and timeless elegance – designed by Philippe Starck.”
Philippe Starck began his collaboration with Duravit by designing the Starck 1 series [ The dedicated HERE ] This is 1994.
Bucket, tub and basin, the inspirational archetypes of the series. “With Starck 1, Philippe Starck and Duravit have returned to the origins of hygiene, body care and wellness. The series therefore also describes the evolution of the bathroom. Vase, tub and washbasin are a clear reference to their historical ancestors: bucket, tub and basin, albeit completely reinterpreted.”
To talk about Starck we have to know Duravit well. The German company, which recently celebrated its 200th birthday, has come a long way globally, achieving impressive sales figures. HERE ihe link with its history and the Duravit Group’s business values. Much of the credit for this resounding international success is due to its designers, whom Duravit was the first to ask for shapes with a high content of style and novelty. First and foremost, Philippe Starck himself. On the company’s website you will find the entire history of the products and also an amazing interview with this brilliant designer. HERE the link and a short passage: ”The enfant terrible of design. When Philippe Starck and Duravit carried out their first joint project in 1994, it was love at first sight. However, no one could have imagined how many results this relationship would bring. Success came with the famous ‘Starck cone’, which is still a classic in the Duravit range today. ‘I always said that the bathroom should become a wet living room. But nobody understood me. Until Duravit. This is why I love Duravit!“
Starck 2. With Strack 2 [ HERE the range of replacement toilet seat proposals ] continues the collaboration between Philippe Starck and Duravit.
Small shapes, attractive price. “A true Starck but with less pretension: Starck 2, a ceramic series that represents the evolution and completion of its famous predecessor, the Starck 1 series. Starck 2 is also based on the origins of bathroom design: the shapes of the ceramics echo the movement with which water makes its path and allow us to see and experience the bathroom in a new way. The bathroom as source.“
Finally, almost a trivial no 2 without 3, here is the Starck 3 series by Philippe Starck for Duravit. With this series, Duravit brings Philippe Starck’s design elements within (economic) reach of an even larger audience.
Often imitated but never equalled. Starck again, at an even more affordable price. No doubt about it, with the ceramic series Starck 3, Duravit revolutionised the world of sanitary ware. Starck 3 introduced design in a segment where until then design was almost unthinkable, with enough variety to satisfy all tastes and needs. And at a very attractive price for a true Philippe Starck. [ HERE the range of proposals for replacement toilet seats ]
ME by STARCK
Iconic: floor-standing WC and bidet. “WC and bidet ME by Starck floor-standing or comfort version: toilet with SensoWash® Slim electronic seat, with remote control to operate all basic functions. Alternatively, a wall-hung version with Durafix concealed fixings is also available. For all WCs: optimal, water-saving flushing and lightweight construction. The new seats, which perfectly match the design of the sanitary ware, are available with a slow-closing mechanism and can be easily removed at the push of a button.” [ HERE the link to the original spare part for the ME by Starck toilet seat cover ]
Cecilie Manz
Only recently, in 2017, Duravit embarked on a collaboration with another world-class designer, Cecilie Manz, considered among the most influential designers of her generation. The collaboration resulted in the Duravit Luv series.
Nordic by nature. “The extraordinary design of the Luv series, designed by Cecilie Manz, combines Nordic purism and timeless elegance. Soft forms follow a strict geometry. Precise, clear and subtle edges and shapes are characteristic of Luv. Designer Cecilie Manz’s original vision for this series was a bowl full of water on a table. The result is a new design that can be interpreted in a very individual, minimalist or elegant way.“
“With Luv, Duravit has brought Nordic style into the bathroom. Through a purist design language, Danish designer Cecilie Manz creates a Scandinavian taste for life, which brings with it a new atmosphere of well-being. Now the successful series is being expanded with beautiful details, such as a new finish and more sizes and variants of basins, furniture and mirrors. In future Luv will offer even more options for individual bathroom design.“
For this series, however, Manz did not design the sanitary ware, which is not included in the collection that includes furniture, washbasins and mirrors. Duravit recommends matching the elements of the Luv collection with the WC and bidet from the collection ME by Starck we have seen above.
Matching: WC and bidet from the ME by Starck series
The WC and bidet from the ME by Starck series, with their minimalist design, are the ideal match and thus complete the bathroom. The iconic appearance is not dominant and thus fits in with the style of the room, allowing individual solutions to be easily realised. The WCs and bidets are available in a floor-standing or wall-hung version, the latter also Rimless® and for added comfort, the SensoWash® Slim model is also available.
