Patricia Urquiola and the metaphor of water

With the Sonar collection, Patricia Urquiola explores the expressive possibilities of Laufen's innovative ceramic material SaphirKeramik. The Swiss company presents a series of washbasins, countertop washbasins and bathtubs which, thanks to the combination of aesthetics and functionality, received the iF Design Award 2018 in the "Product" category.

The internationally renowned designer plays with the round shapes and reduced thickness of ceramics, emphasizing lightness and strength. On the outer surface of the basins Urquiola designs an elegant decoration, with a very fine texture that recalls the geometries of sound waves when they propagate on water. This version can be chosen as an alternative to the classic smooth surface. "As a metaphor, the name Sonar is related to water: in this form of echolocation, acoustic impulses are emitted to detect the presence of objects underwater," says Patricia Urquiola. "I liked the idea of using small waves generated by sound. The texture on the outside of the basins was shaped on the basis of these waves. I didn't want to limit myself to working with the lightness of ceramics: I also wanted to find a way to draw a pattern on the surface".

The simple and clean shapes of the collection are designed to optimise the flow of water, which is conveyed to a transverse ravine to go down the drain hidden by a ceramic cover. This element not only gives the washbasins formal coherence, but also makes cleaning much easier. Free standing and wall-mounted washbasins, two single basins and a double basin, also available in a matt white finish, are combined with a new collection of storage units. The collection is completed by a bathtub made of Laufen's high-tech material Sentec, whose roundwhose round lines dialogue with the elegant lines of washbasins and basins.