AUGUST 2019 ELLEDECORATION.CO.UK 57TRENDSWORDS: AMY MOOREA WONG
As technological advances continue to drive designers to push the
boundaries of creation, the bathroom is the latest space to be
revolutionised by 3D printing. Grohe’s ‘Allure Brilliant Icon 3D’
tap – the first of its kind in Europe – is composed of a staggering
4,700 printed layers of 0.06-millimetre-thick raw steel. Its design
echoes the look of the brand’s ‘Allure Brilliant’ tap, but with
a sharper profile that could not be forged by human hands.
‘We strive to create products that at first appear impossible,’ says
Michael Seum, vice-president of design at Grohe. And, with its
unique hollow form and razor-thin architectural lines, it does atfirst seem hard to believe that water can flow through this tap. When
it’s turned on, a stream appears as if from nowhere – an optical
illusion made functional. ‘What is possible or not possible has
become a question of perspective,’ continues Seum.
As well as this design, Grohe has also reimagined the clean-lined
‘Atrio’ tap, with both pieces printed and then milled by machines,
before being honed and finished by skilled craftspeople. Made to
order, both taps can be personalised for any space, making each
one completely unique. With production limited to just a few
a year, they’re a real luxury. From £12,000 (grohe.co.uk).THE BATHROOM UPDATE‘ALLURE BRILLIANT ICON 3D’ TAP BY GROHE
This futuristic piece of hardware shows the possibilities offered by cutting-edge design methods