Beyond Form
For those drawn to Italian design, Carlo Frattini brings together distinctive forms, thoughtful engineering and a fresh approach to everyday use. Its designers and engineers share a willingness to question familiar solutions, exploring new possibilities in both the appearance of bathroom fittings and the way they work.
Slide shows how far this thinking can go. The collection reconsiders the mechanism of a tap, introducing a sliding movement that changes the way we turn on and control water.
A new gesture in water control
In place of a conventional lever, Slide uses two cylindrical components that glide along an inclined plane. This movement allows the user to adjust the water flow through a simple, intuitive gesture.
The mechanism gives the collection its distinctive character. Its clean geometry makes the movement easy to understand, while stainless steel brings durability and a precise finish to the design. The appeal lies as much in using the tap as in looking at it.
Slide received the iF Design Award Gold, recognising an approach in which the mechanism itself becomes an essential part of the design.
More freedom in the shower
The same willingness to question established solutions takes a different direction with WaterDot. Here, the focus is on reducing the space occupied by visible shower fittings and giving designers greater freedom to arrange them.
Compact controls and discreet components leave more room for the surrounding materials and surfaces. The shower system becomes part of the overall composition, with each element positioned to suit the space and the needs of the user.
Achieving this simplicity requires careful engineering. The controls must remain accessible and straightforward to use, while the visible components are kept to a minimum. WaterDot brings these requirements together in a system that opens up new possibilities for the design of the shower area.
A closer look at detail
Park Lane brings a more decorative expression to the range. Rings and cylinders form the basis of the collection, joined by chamfered edges and inclined surfaces that give each fitting a layered profile.
Its character comes from the way these elements are shaped and finished. A defining feature is the millerighe texture: a series of finely machined lines that catch the light and accentuate the handle’s contours. The detail adds both visual depth and a tactile quality to the surface.
Park Lane draws on the richness of classical fittings, with precise machining giving the ornament a crisp, contemporary finish. The proportions keep the composition balanced, allowing the decorative elements to stand out without overwhelming the form.
A new language for contemporary water design
Taken together, Park Lane, WaterDot and Slide suggest a direction for contemporary bathroom design, where technology, ergonomics and architecture are developed together. The movement of a control, the proportions of a fitting and the finish of a surface all contribute to how a product feels and works within a space.
The strength of Carlo Frattini lies in its ability to keep exploring these possibilities, bringing fresh ideas to a familiar part of everyday life. It is this continuous exchange between design and engineering that gives the brand its distinctive character—and turns technical innovation into an experience people can see and feel.
Photo credit: Carlo Frattini
