Kohler x SR_A artistically redefine faucet design with 'Formation 01' at Design Miami

Kohler x SR_A push the boundaries of material, form and colour to challenge how we engage with the functionality of an everyday object with Formation 01 faucet at Design Miami 2023. The British designer and artist Samuel Ross along with his industrial design studio SR_A has partnered with Wisconsin-based brand Kohler Co. to create the limited-edition faucet. Elaborating on the collaboration Ross relays, “Developing a new language for water solutions is the centre point of our concept and joint design studio with Kohler, it's rooted in a love of craft, material exploration and design thinking building upon the 150 years Kohler has continued to introduce innovation within the engineering sector. We believe expression, and optimism can be communicated through radical engineering, and rechallenging expectations society may have towards familiarised objects. Our intention is to democratise access to design in its purest format, using water as a vessel to transport this idea, whilst openly exploring and questioning, in a search for what’s next. Engineering, Motion & optimism.”

The product design adorns striking angles and a bold ‘Haptic orange’ colour that defies the traditional design and performance of a bathroom faucet. In creating a new design language for water solutions, Kohler and SR_A celebrate Kohler's 150-year tradition of innovation and craftsmanship while embracing Ross's avant-garde design approach. “Everyday objects can be works of art and provide delightful interactions. This concept has always been essential in the way we innovate and design products and experiences, and it will be further elevated in our creative partnership with SR_A. We will embrace the hallmarks of Samuel Ross’ artistic approach, often avant-garde and thought-provoking. At the same time, our collaboration celebrates Kohler’s 150-year legacy of bold moments, expert craftsmanship and pioneering innovation. What lies ahead is an elevated form of self-expression for the home,” shares David Kohler, Chair and CEO of Kohler Co.

Raising the bar for water faucets, Formation 01 is cast as a single sculptural piece, straying away from the conventional finish plating method. Neolast, a brand-new material exclusive to Kohler, is used to create the faucet's dramatic form, innovative shape language, and vibrant colour saturation. Positioned atop an escutcheon plate made from Kohler's distinctive cast iron, Formation 01 strikes the ideal mix between a futuristic aesthetic and the classic industrialism of molten iron. Commenting on how the faucet aligns with the studio’s principles, the product designer shares, “The faucet created in collaboration with Kohler brings together the signatures of our industrial design studio SR_A: an intentionally abstract, reductive use of form and colour, at times minimal and arresting in the application. The object’s high visibility links back to the collective view we have within the design studio’s philosophy, and experimentation, tied to hyper-visual communication – we focus on future design perspectives and solutions that invite questioning and critique. This often involves deconstructing familiar objects and forms.”

Precise pressure management is necessary for the fluid dynamics demanded by the expressive angles and shape of the tap to allow for the reinterpretation and design of the intended experience of the water flow. Kohler’s advanced engineering of a custom water channel allows for water delivery through the faucet’s sharp angles. Expertise within the remit of engineering flourished within Kohler’s on-site eco-system, and the opportunity to work with specialist artisans and engineers was essential in taking a raw concept and transforming it into a scalable remit,” shares Ross. The faucet, which was made following SR_A's progressive study of design and real-world experience, stands out when installed in any area owing to its striking form and great visibility. Formation 01 is abstract by nature, leaving room for the user to partially interpret it.

The Formation 01 embodies a story of modern design, pushing boundaries, and democratising access to pure design, going beyond mere utility. With the help of this faucet, water becomes the medium that conveys optimism as well as fluidity, challenging traditional faucet designs and allowing users to engage in a new language of water solutions. It's evidence of the effectiveness of teamwork, creativity, and repurposing commonplace items into platforms for art and personal expression inside the house. “While we watch the water flow through the installation, we are called to reflect on our relationship with the element, the forms that transport it and the expectation we have of this experience,” shares Gary Clarke, Kohler's Lead industrial designer.