MARIE

Handmade irregular spheres, pipes and circular discs with either a matt or glossy metallic finish form the basis for the MARIE range of taps. The sculptural-looking collection is the result of a joint project between the Maison Marie Saint Pierre fashion house and the tap manufacturer BARIL to mark the 35th anniversary of both companies. A collaborative, cross-industry design that finds expression in the unusual appearance of the tap range: the round shapes in various combinations of different sizes, colours and surface finishes stimulate the imagination while, at the same time, creating a visually soothing atmosphere in the room. All the components of the tap collection can be positioned in a variety of ways, making installation extremely flexible. That is also true of the levers used to regulate water flow and temperature, which can be placed wherever desired, whether that is for ergonomic or aesthetic reasons. The custom colour palette is equally versatile and can be applied to all the elements of the collection, thus allowing designers and users to personalise the taps and integrate them into any interior design. Thanks to its reduced design vocabulary and use of selected materials such as solid brass and high-quality ceramics, the result is a potentially timeless design that will serve customers for years to come. To minimise the need to produce new parts, the manufacturers have made a concerted effort to reuse and adapt existing proprietary components such as valves during production. In order to lower overall water consumption, the collection offers a choice of three eco-friendly options for the taps, reducing the flow rate to 0.5, 1.0 or 1.2 gallons per minute, as well as a second option for the showerhead with a flow rate of 1.75 gallons per minute. This is a holistic concept that also won over the jury: “The functions and the design of MARIE are extremely precise – yet, at the same time, the tap collection offers unusually playful, sensuous and inspiring products for this sector.”