Venice, early 20th century. In his studio at Palazzo Pesaro degli Orfei, Mariano Fortuny worked the silk until it settled into the finest of pleats: thus was born the Delphos, the dress that drapes over the body like an Ionic column and shifts in tone with every step. More than merely a decorative feature, the pleat is an optical device. It fragments reflections, captures shadows and transforms a solid colour into a range of shades.
The interplay between folds, light and material finds another expression in Artis Sense, the countertop washbasin designed by Christian Haas for Villeroy & Boch, whose embossed surface is inspired by pleated fabrics. Accompanying it is Artis Frame, an open metal structure that replaces the traditional vanity unit. Whether used individually or together, these two designs expand the Artis collection.
Ceramics in motion
The relief of Artis Sense draws inspiration from the softness of pleated fabrics. Haas translates this fluid movement into a precise surface texture, which guides the light across the ceramic and creates a depth that is perceptible both to the eye and to the touch. "Form remains important. But it is increasingly the surface that determines how we perceive an object," the designer explained. "The subtle relief texture of Artis Sense creates interplays of light and shadow on the washbasin, giving it a sensory quality that can be both seen and felt."
Sculptural design and formal balance coexist in a project conceived to blend seamlessly into a variety of architectural styles. A bathroom accompanies its occupants for many years. It represents a long-term vision, leaving seasonal trends to the catwalks and calling for balanced proportions, precise lines and a distinct identity capable of blending discreetly into a variety of architectural styles.
The refined texture is matched by durability for everyday use: the material meets high standards of longevity and practicality. Crafted from Premium Ceramic, the washbasin has a light and delicate appearance and is available in round and oval versions.
Colour meets texture
The colour palette draws on the concept developed for Artis by designer Gesa Hansen, applied here for the first time to a textured surface. It is precisely on this textured surface that the colour reveals its true nature. Nightfall, a deep midnight blue, and Pure Black, a rich black reminiscent of ebony, accentuate the interplay of light and shadow and envelop the bathroom in an intimate atmosphere. Almond, a warm beige with a subtle sheen, and Teal, a vibrant aqua-green, bring brighter accents.
With Artis Frame, the enclosed space beneath the washbasin gives way to a metal frame with slender sections, complemented by an optional countertop. The washbasin area feels lighter, and materials and proportions interact more freely, whether in spacious bathrooms or compact spaces. Metallic finishes, wood finishes and the colours of the furnishings allow Frame to adapt to a variety of design requirements. The frame’s finish can match that of the taps, creating a cohesive whole down to the last detail.
A matter of combinations
Whether minimalist or Art Deco, contemporary or rustic: Artis cuts across styles like a universal key, changing its character depending on what it is paired with. This dialogue extends to the brand’s other collections, each embodying its own vision of the bathroom. For Artis washbasins, the Finion range of furniture provides a clean-lined backdrop, characterised by simple forms, innovative materials and warm lighting, which lends a sense of proportion to daily rituals. Collaro, on the other hand, envisions the bathroom as a living space – warm and elegant – defined by its distinctive profile with a recessed edge. With Antao, inspiration comes from nature: organic lines that evoke the atmosphere of a mountain lake, the sun on the skin, and the sound of summer rain.
Frame broadens its scope even further. In addition to Artis Sense and Artis, the frame accommodates the countertop washbasins from Antao, Collaro, Finion and Loop & Friends – the collection that embraces the spirit of travel: from Hawaii to Havana, from the tranquillity of Kyoto to the energy of Marrakech, right through to the natural beauty of Tanzania. Just like a wardrobe built to last, the centrepiece remains whilst the whole is renewed, from minimalist elegance to homely warmth, from nature to faraway places.
The Delphos was stored coiled up on itself, like a ball of string, and regained its shape as soon as it was worn. Even in the bathroom, the fold awaits a gesture to reveal itself: a ray of oblique light, a hand brushing the edge of the washbasin. Villeroy & Boch has been building its history on this attention to materials since 1748.