With Antao Earth, Villeroy & Boch introduces a new dimension to its Antao collection, combining form and feel to develop striking new effects.
Designed by Cologne-based studio KASCHKASCH, the surface-mounted washbasins are finished with a hand-applied Artisan Glaze that creates subtle variations in colour and texture, making each piece truly unique.
The organic feel of the collection has been based on the existing Antao range and was inspired by the shape of a dewdrop.
The silhouette was developed by KASCHKASCH founders Florian Kallus and Sebastian Schneider in an iterative process: Forms were photographed, simplified, transferred to the third dimension and repeatedly reduced.
“It’s not a question of minimalism in its proper sense”, says Schneider. “It was more condensing design into its very essence” – the end result is a timeless form that makes an impact but isn’t overpowering.
Artisan Glaze: Every washbasin a unique piece
The key feature of Antao Earth is the new Artisan Glaze. It is applied by hand and when fired, develops a fascinating chemical dynamic: The result is a surface with remarkable visual depth that changes subtly with light and water, these are not flaws but an authentic feature of true craftsmanship.
The new technique was developed with Villeroy & Boch’s glazing lab in Mettlach.
The development process placed significant demands on the material and the glaze needed to deliver a handcrafted, sculptural appearance while meeting the exacting standards required for large-scale production.
“The challenge here lay in combining an emotionally appealing, highly tactile experience with full everyday functionality”, comments Florian Kallus. Sebastian Schneider goes on to explain, “The physical complexity in the kiln is enormous.
To extend such a structure to an entire basin in a controlled and reproducible manner calls for maximum precision at the interface between design and high-end ceramics technology.”
A Homage to Nature
The Antao Earth colour palette is based on natural landscapes and features three carefully designed hues of Sand, Terra and Smoke which are designed to reflect the variety and depth found in nature.
The special Artisan Glaze results in individual textures that interact with these hues to give surfaces a vital, authentic radiance. Inspired by natural landscapes, the shade Sand creates a light welcoming look that evokes a feeling of calm.
A stronger, earthy accent is set by Terra, which was directly inspired by the elemental structured surface of the Earth and reflects a deep, unmistakable bond with nature in the bathroom.
Completing the palette is Smoke, a contemporary shade that reveals layers of depth as light moves across its surface.
Designed to complement the existing Antao collection, Antao Earth offers designers and homeowners greater flexibility when creating cohesive bathroom schemes.
Photography courtesy of Villeroy & Boch.
Find out more about Antao by Villeroy & Boch here.
About the Villeroy & Boch group
In the Bathroom & Wellness Division of the Villeroy & Boch group, the Villeroy & Boch brand stands for stylish living and high design standards underpinned by over 275 years of ceramic competence and uncompromising quality. The brand creates a feeling of home in bathrooms with high-quality design, durable products and sophisticated innovations.
