Doing a lot with a little: Nendo’s Toru, an electric kettle for Alessi, perfectly reconciles gesture with form.
Taking advantage of Alessi’s distinguishing metalworking techniques, which is the origin of the company, the stainless-steel body is shaped simply like a pitcher. The handle coming out from the top seems to go through the side of the body, forming a continuous line to the spout.A handle of a kettle is usually gripped from the side, but thanks to the top-suspended shape, the kettle can be easily lifted from the power base, and hot water can be poured smoothly by holding the upper part of the handle as a fulcrum and lightly tilting the kettle.
With its soft form, the base has an integrated appearance with the kettle when power is being supplied, while it takes on a straight and simple silhouette when the kettle is detached, designed to blend in well with its surroundings in either case.
From the distinctive handle and spout that seem to pierce through the body, the collection is named “toru” (meaning “through” in Japanese).
Alas, Alessi’s only selling a version with a European plug or a British plug. (Thanks, tariffs.)
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