Lucio Traficante’s approach to Bathco
Lucio Traficante, an industrial designer for Bathco, has created three unique washbasins for the latest general catalog of the brand. These washbasins, known as Circus, Etna, and Kilimanjaro, stand out for their inspiration from nature and their focus on simplicity and durability. In this article, we will explore Traficante’s approach and discover how his design reflects the beauty and functionality of nature.
Inspiration from nature
During the design process, Traficante found his main source of inspiration in nature. He recognized that after millions of years of evolution, nature has discovered what works and endures over time. Taking the saying “simple things never go out of style” as a guiding principle, he aimed to design washbasins that remained true to the basic principles of nature.
Polyhedral forms of the Circus series
The Circus series is characterized by its polyhedral volumes, inspired by the geometric and natural resource called tessellation. This technique involves intersecting volumes and can be found in natural elements such as stones, rocks, and minerals. By using this technique, Traficante manages to recreate the structures and construction systems found in nature without simply imitating their finished forms.
Kilimanjaro washbasin’s profile based on the parabola
The Kilimanjaro washbasin features a profile based on the parabola, another natural resource found in various elements of nature such as pinecones, flowers, and the movements of dolphins. By incorporating the parabola into the design of the washbasin, Traficante aims to capture the essence of nature and express it in a unique form.
The conical shape of the Etna washbasin
The Etna washbasin stands out with its conical shape, reflecting the purity, elegance, and simplicity of basic geometric forms. Traficante believes that these forms are universal and capable of adapting to any context and space. When designing the Etna washbasin, the idea is to convey that products that adapt well are the ones that endure, following one of nature’s fundamental laws.
Maintaining essence and adapting to the times
At Bathco, the concept of adaptation has been embraced by selecting iconic and classic products for each annual catalog and giving them a restyling. In doing so, they remain faithful to the original design while visually and materially lightening the structure. The aim is to achieve lighter washbasins that are adapted to the present time, while still preserving their uniqueness and harmony with the original design.
Lucio Traficante’s approach to designing washbasins for Bathco has successfully captured the essence of nature and expressed it in elegant and durable forms. His designs draw inspiration from the geometric and natural resources found in the natural world, and his goal is to adapt to different times and contexts. With these washbasins, Bathco presents products that are both aesthetically appealing and functional, designed to endure beyond fleeting trends.
