U-Turn: GROHE Atrio

Ever since the establishment of the idea of wellness within one's own four walls, the present-day bathroom has represented much more than simply a useful functional room for personal hygiene. It has become an individual retreat and oasis of calm, and accordingly the market now offers a versatile assortment of products for its design. However, the bathroom is also a place that we don’t furnish anew every year. The design of the products which are selected should not therefore follow short-lived fashion trends, but should have a certain timelessness - an approach that GROHE has also adopted for the redesign of its Atrio series. The new edition of the series will be presented at Fuorisalone during the Milan Furniture Fair in April.

How to show respect for its predecessor line while at the same time creating something unique and developing an iconic, timeless design - the new Atrio collection presented the GROHE design team around Michael Seum, Vice President Design, with a massive challenge. With a focus on elegance and precision as the two defining attributes of Atrio, they have succeeded in emphasising the two basic forms of the tap unit, the arc and the cylinder, even more strikingly: "Atrio is not about risk-taking design, but more about really paying attention to details and being obsessive about proportions", explains Michael Seum.

The coordinated design impresses with its minimalist look, balanced proportions and pure cylindrical shapes. The design has been simplified and pared down, making the form more elegant and refined. The construction of the tap unit is strictly geometric and centred. Its outlet describes a perfect curve and is formed by a slim cylinder with a reduced, consistently constant diameter. This posed a particular technical challenge for the engineers during implementation.

The cross handles for regulating the water flow and temperature are reminiscent of classic 19th century bathroom design. However, they have been given a modern interpretion, and can also be replaced by elegant lever handles. In addition, a selection of different sizes and three possible colours offers a range of variations. With their stylish, simple design the tap units fit into a wide variety of settings.

The new Atrio series will be presented as part of the Fuorisalone design fair, which takes place parallel to the Milan Furniture Fair and will feature pop-up exhibitions and events in the city centre during this time. GROHE is organising a multimedia presentation in its recently renovated Milan showroom from 17 to 22 April, offering visitors an immersive experience featuring film, music and a water installation. In addition to the new Atrio series, the Essence, Linear and Aquasymphony series of bathroom products and the GROHE Red and Blue Home water systems for the kitchen will also be on display.

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