The new Ino bathroom collection, designed for Laufen by French designer Toan Nguyen, is a reinterpretation of the classic washbasin shape.

Offering multiple innovative design possibilities, Laufen’s SaphirKeramik was used to recreate this timeless piece. The objects, with their simple lines and delicate yet extremely stable walls appear elegant, inviting and weightless. The collection uses wall-mounted washbasin, washbasin bowls, as well as semi-recessed basins, high-quality bathroom furniture and a bathtub available in two versions.

The starting point for the design of Ino was archetypical washbasin forms, which designer Nguyen reinterpreted with the help of the characteristic properties of SaphirKeramik. The objective was to create an attractively-formed, practical product that is suitable for everyday use. The design is aimed at end-user habits, whilst simultaneously appealing to the sense of aesthetic. The idea and first studies were developed during Laufen’s SaphirKeramik project, as presented at Salone de Mobile 2014 in Milan. Here, the designer was invited to explore the design potential of the new ceramic material, which has all the hygienic advantages of conventional bathroom ceramics, but is thinner, more defined and extremely durable.

One of the highlights of Ino is an exciting washbasin with a recessed, but integrated self. The easy-to-clean shelf with its upward sweeping back wall defines the space next to the generous washbasin. “By not having a wide rim, as we know from conventional washbasins, we were able to create a more generous basin,” explained Nguyen. “However, for the design I did not only concentrate on the volume, but rather on the lines and the surfaces of the washbasin.”

Ino also includes wall-mounted washbasins, with gentle curves creating an intriguing contrast to the angular body. Elegant bathroom layouts are made possible by both the washbasin bowls and the semi-recessed basins. Thanks the extremely thin walls, the bowls appear extremely generous and ensure suitability for everyday use. ““In the washbasins and bowls it is not only a question of surfaces, because the washbasins are made of ceramic material and have all the advantages of this material, it is a matter of materiality in the sense of a physical quality which you can touch and feel,” commented Nguyen.

The peaceful centre of the Ino bathroom is a freestanding bathtub, with slim rim and oval shape, the bathtub appears both as filigree as the washbasin, and adopts similar sweeping lines. The tub also features an integrated headrest for absolute relaxation. Alternatively, a smaller model can be selected. The product is made of solid surface Sentec material, and can be made with a single wall in one casting, with a lower weight.

Toan Nguyen has also designed a bathroom furniture set for Ino, which harmonises both optically and functionally with the collection.

www.laufen.com