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https://www.archdaily.com/1034358/precision-purity-and-the-poetics-of-stainless-steel-for-contemporary-bathrooms
Communicating an idea using only the essentials is a far greater challenge than it often appears. From Japanese haikus to the refined sculptures of Constantin Brâncuși, many artistic expressions have sought to condense the maximum meaning with the minimum of elements. This economy of form is not a sign of scarcity, but of intensity: every stroke, every word, every silence gains weight. There is something intrinsically appealing in what presents itself as simple and well-resolved, whether it is a text that wastes no words, a tennis player who moves with purposeful gestures, or a melody that is both direct yet unexpectedly profound.
That same principle, which transcends various artistic languages, resonates deeply in contemporary design. When reduced to the essential, furniture or everyday objects reveal a form of beauty that arises from precision and transcends their function. This is exemplified by HUM, the new collection of taps developed by designer Philippe Malouin for QuadroDesign, in which a simple gesture is transformed into a complete language.
© Omar SartorMalouin has built a design career defined by clarity, developing objects in their essential form, creating radical and timeless pieces. His work spans furniture, lighting, and everyday objects, and is often described as a process of editing, removing the unnecessary until only the essential remains. “Holding a cylinder of stainless steel in my hand, I was drawn to its clarity and the sense of permanence it held,” he recalls. From this minimal form, he introduced a contrasting curve, the opposite of the rigid cylinder, which became the spout and defined the entire project. “The word HUM is inspired by hummingbird, its beak resembles the curve I drew for the spout,” he adds.
Stainless steel often evokes associations with coldness and industrial functionality. To counter this perception, Philippe Malouin turned to proportion, gesture, and touch. “Stainless steel can be clinical if it feels over-engineered, but when you introduce subtle curves, fine tolerances, and a graceful silhouette, it becomes tactile and inviting,” he explains. “The sensuality emerged not in decoration, but in the quality of touch and presence.”
© Omar SartorFor the Italian company QuadroDesign, stainless steel is also part of its legacy, forming the foundation of a culture of precision, sustainability, and respect for materials. “QuadroDesign’s ethos aligned perfectly with my own interest in honest, materially driven design,” says Malouin. Conversations with Enrico Magistro, whose family runs the company, brought both technical and cultural depth: “He explained the material’s qualities, why it was chosen, and its significance to their legacy — a practical insight that influenced my design decisions.”
The collaboration also led Malouin into unfamiliar territory. “Water mechanics was a realm entirely new to me. Collaborating with QuadroDesign instilled a rigorous discipline that compelled me to refine my design language further,” Malouin notes. The company’s meticulous process, he adds, made the project “a truly collaborative effort.”
Between Utility and Sculpture
As with much of Malouin’s work, the HUM collection moves effortlessly between utility and sculpture. “I’ve always been interested in the tension between utility and sculpture — finding beauty in objects that serve a clear purpose,” he reflects. “The hand shower, for example, is an incredible feat of both manufacturing and simplicity,” he says, highlighting how Enrico’s contributions elevated each iteration of the design.
© Omar SartorFor Malouin, the essence of good design lies in restraint. “Good design is, at its essence, about crafting objects that seem inevitable — quiet presences that, without demanding attention, subtly enhance our interaction with the space around us. With this work, it was crucial for me to create something timeless and intriguing, a design that gently resonates rather than shouts its existence.”
© Omar SartorBut knowing when to stop is often the greatest challenge. “It came when we stripped everything down to just the slender curve of the spout and the sharp precision of the controls. I remember looking at the prototype and realizing that any further refinement would be indulgent. The balance was already there,” he recalls. With HUM, Philippe Malouin refines his own design language while expanding QuadroDesign’s ethos of timeless precision. Whether cutting any extra words, strokes, or gestures, this collection demonstrates how restraint can result in objects that, even when utilitarian, achieve poetic resonance.