AXOR shapes bathroom collection balancing archival forms and fine materials

Waterway is an architectural sequence created for the immersive debut of the AXOR Archivio collection. The concept “Escape the Ordinary” uses Koshi wood, microcement, and water to turn a functional bathroom space into an evocative experience. The sequence is inspired by Suzhou, China, and its narrow river pathways, with each zone—bath, shower, and basin—running across the full width of the plan. A sunken square bath sits within a fine stone bed and features an AXOR Archivio bath mixer that reinforces architectural clarity. The AXOR Archivio bathroom collection translates historical silhouettes and classical details into contemporary fixtures with brushed brass, soft silhouettes, and flowing contours.

"AXOR presents Waterway, a visionary architectural sequence designed in collaboration with Haihua Zhang to serve as the immersive debut setting for the new AXOR Archivio collection. Rooted in the concept of 'Escape the Ordinary', the project utilizes Koshi wood, microcement, and the rhythmic presence of water to showcase how a coherent design language can transform a functional space into an evocative experience."

"Within this exemplary setting, the AXOR Archivio collection - designed by Barber Osgerby - emerges as a natural extension of the architecture, blending historical silhouettes with modern materiality in a bathroom series. AXOR distills decades of design influence into contemporary yet enduring bathroom fixtures, showcasing elevated materiality and impeccably balanced proportions."

"The collection bridges past and present - from historic typologies and transitional design principles -, translating soft silhouettes and flowing contours into brushed brass fixtures. It has been specifically designed to anchor the quietly expressive bathroom ambiences seen in the Waterway project."

"Serene and immersive, the Waterway is rooted in the vitality of nature and inspired by Zhang's hometown of Suzhou, China. Each zone - bath, shower, basin - spans the full width of the plan, referencing the narrow river pathways characteristic of the city. A fine stone bed approaches a sunken, square bath incorporating AXOR Archivio bath mixer that underscores the room's architectural clarity."

Read at designboom | architecture & design magazine