Iron Bathroom Furniture and Sanitary Ware Design · 2014
Versus Close-coupled WC
- A' Design Award 2014 Iron Winner in Bathroom Furniture and Sanitary Ware Design
- Awarded April 15, 2014
- CLIENT: MAGMA graphics
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 25,024
- Verification code 302184C30F · Verify this award
About Versus Close-coupled WC
Our life is a never ending searching of pleasure and comfort. Everyone of us is trying to find the best balance between functionality and design and if we want the product to be economical that makes it even more difficult. With my close-coupled wc i was trying to find exactly this balance. It combines new approaches and technologies of increasing efficiency, saving water and materials and at the same time all this good stuff are hidden below a bold, monolith and extravagant design.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- Extravagant design combined with higher efficiency and economy
- Dimensions & Packaging
- Length - 400mm, Projection - 775mm, Height - 790mm
- Tags
- Versus, V-shape, Close-Coupled, WC, Toilet, Black, Red, Extravagant, Bathroom
- Production Technology
- Live tests will allow us to understand which material will be better - Ceramic or Acrylic. Maybe other materials will be tested too.
- Design Challenge
- Maintain the original V-shape during technical and ergonomic transformations.
- Project Duration
- Almost one year, location - Bulgaria, Europe
- Operation Flow
- This close-coupled WC have tilted tank which allows the water to flush out easily than traditional 90 deg tanks. This modification increases the velocity, presure and force of the water. The WC also have 3 flush volumes which allow to use water more efficient.
The puzzle type seat and cover allow to reduce unnecessary overlaping which saves material. - Research
- During the CAD build a lot of fluid analysis were studied, a specialist was asked for consultancy.
- Inspiration
- The very first idea was to create something that has shape of the first letter of my name - V (the profile of the wc and the shape of internal tank). It was eventually changed because of functional reasons.
- Image Credits
- Image #1: Author Vasil Velchev, Project Versus, 2014.
Image #2: Author Vasil Velchev, Project Versus, 2014.
Image #3: Author Vasil Velchev, Project Versus, 2014.
Image #4: Author Vasil Velchev, Project Versus, 2014.
Image #5: Author Vasil Velchev, Project Versus, 2014.
Colors of Versus Close-coupled WC
Design Interview about Versus Close-coupled WC
All started with the shape. I wanted to create something that have my first name letter V in its features. So i started with the side view .... and then the idea was developed to its current view.
Besides the new design i also wanted to have something new in the functionality as well so i used the tilted tank to achieve more water efficiency.
To receive an offer to make it real.
Almost an year.
I followed the inspiration.
I would rather leave the manufacturing to the professionals.
I have some experience and observations in this matter.
No, i worked on this project without any other designers influences
Sanitary ware companies.
Different shape in general, different functionality.
Versus is in latin and means 'against'. So it is my product with its design and functionality against the traditional.
I used 3D modeling and rendering software.
Different design, new water flow path, new type of seat and cover.
I used some help from a person who is a specialist in fluid mechanics.
Technology has very important role as for every product design project.
I made some research about the water flow and its characteristics.
Follow the design without lose the functionality
I wanted to see where is my design compared to the others. I also wanted to have more publicity if it is a winner.
Life is a constant improvement so in our case every new project is a step ahead.
No, thanks for the interview.
Grand Interview about Versus Close-coupled WC
Fluid analysis is what this project was based on. It was a while and i am not what the name of the software was, but there were lots of simulations to ensure the final results.
I can say that i am in this business for more than 20 years and when you talk about innovations in functionality, people expect also to have a modern look. These 2 components should go hand in hand.
Yes, that is correct. I wanted to create a product, which shape to be the first letter of my names. Looking at the side view and also top of the seat, front of the tank - you can recognize the letter.
Taking care of environment is an important part of our live now, so using materials in a wiser way can save us energy and resources.
Normally we have 2 flush volumes but observations in this matter shows that a third, smaller water volume could also be useful. It is for small sanitary needs and the tank mechanism will not be so complex by adding this function.
My master degree of electrical engineering was helpful indeed. Despite we don't have any electrical parts here, engineering thinking is very useful.
Despite the differences in design, every product should follow the standards, set up by the related industry. That is why we need to fit in certain dimensions.
For now, i think that ceramics is still the best option. Acrylic materials can be uses for the seat, the internal tank and its components.
Industrial design is not a straight line going back and forth only. It's more like a tree with branches in different directions. My design was deviation from the conventionality and a different approach for improvement.
Challenges were everywhere, during this developing process. I can say that most challenging was the fluid simulations and observations.