Axor Starck V: Experiencing the Vitality of Water

I was invited to the Exclusive World Premier in Milan last week of Axor's new edition to the family Starck V.  I Believe this is the tap of the future, with its pure organic design and mesmerizing vortex, It encompasses functionality with beauty. 

Axor and Philippe Starck Introduce the Vortex Phenomenon to the Washbasin Mixer

New achievement in water design: Axor, the designer

brand of Hansgrohe SE, has introduced a revolutionary washbasin mixer. Growing out of

Axor’s relentless drive for products that reflect the vitality and emotionality of water, the

brand’s first transparent mixer, Axor Starck V, was brought to life in collaboration with

Philippe Starck. The official presentation took place at the Axor flagship store

DURINIQUINDICI in Milan on 8th April.

“The vortex phenomenon has occupied my father Klaus Grohe for several years”,

explains Philippe Grohe, Head of Axor. “His intuition that water could visibly be brought

to the foreground through the vortex, was the starting point in the development of Axor

Starck V. In our long-time friend Philippe Starck, we not only found the perfect design

partner to create a shape around the vortex, but also a valuable sparring partner in the

developmental process. Ultimately, the realization of the project was not made possible

by creativity and determination alone, but by technical know-how and over 100 years of

experience in handling water.” The result according to Philippe Starck “is a mixer that

represents the absolute minimum: totally transparent, almost invisible, and enclosing a

miracle that is the vortex.”

Connecting with Water through the Vortex

For more than 20 years the human interaction with water and space has been at the

core of Axor’s innovations. Axor Starck V will be one of the most prominent translations

of this idea yet: with the beauty and dynamism of its vortex, the mixer bridges the gap

between the functional and emotional aspects of water at the washbasin, transforming it

from a basic commodity to a valuable resource.

Organic Design and the Aesthetics of Transparency

The organic, transparent design of Axor Starck V gives it an exciting, yet subdued

presence. Besides serving the technical function of making water visible, transparency

aesthetically fuses the mixer body with its surroundings, thus, in essence dematerializing

it. The openly designed spout contributes to the natural water experience:

before the eyes of the user, the upward, swirling motion of water through the mixer’s

body and its “free-fall” into the washbasin trigger a feeling of joy and happiness.

Experiencing Water through Technology and Innovation

True to the Hansgrohe principle of producing highly aesthetic, functional and

sustainable bathroom products, Axor Starck V shines with a multitude of innovations

that together are certain to define a whole new category of washbasin mixers.

The mixer is produced out of the organic material crystal glass, which is

sustainable and durable. With a flow rate of 4 l/min, Axor Starck saves water without

compromising the user experience. The open, rotatable, and detachable spout offers

additional comfort: flexible installation of the mixer body in combination with the

washbasin and easy cleaning in the dishwasher.

Axor Starck V

• Axor Starck V is available as a Single Lever Basin Mixer (9/2014), a Two-HoleBasin Mixer (3/2015) and Single Lever Basin Mixer for Washbowls (3/2015)
• Chrome and white (powder coating) finishes; twelve standardized special PVDfinishes; further finishes are available upon request through the Axor Manufaktur
• Flow Rate of 4l/minute
• Minimum water pressure of 1.5 Bar needed to activate the vortex
• Crystal Glass: scratch- and detergent-resistant; dishwasher-proof
• Removal of glass spout: EasyClick-In connection between body and spout for easy cleaning and spare part handling
• SafetyStop: allows removal of spout without turning off the cartridge
• Swiveable spout: allows for a better view of the vortex; adjustment of the water spray to minimize splashes, flexible installation of the mixer body in combinationwith the basin
• Variable positioning of the mixer body to allow the joystick cartridge on the left or right