AXOR My Edition
Prize(s):
WINNER 2026 PRODUCT DESIGN / Industrial Product
Company Name:Ryan Olivier + AXOR
Lead Designer(s) Name(s):Ryan Olivier
Design Team / Other designer(s):Ryan Olivier
Manufacturer Name:AXOR
Distributors Name:AXOR
Photo Credit:AXOR + Ryan Olivier + Creative Clan Global + Jimmy Nelson + A. Petrov + Pulse Planet
Project Location:South Africa
Design Status:Commercialized
Website: View
Product Description:
The project marks a milestone for the South African design industry, representing the first collaboration between a South African designer and a globally recognised luxury bathroom manufacturer within an international platform. The collection celebrates storytelling, craft and artistry, drawing on traditions of surface expression and artisanal practice found across Africa. These narratives are translated into four interchangeable cover plate designs named NURU, KARA, TAGUNA and EREMBE, each exploring a distinct material language and sculptural interpretation of surface. Developed within the MyEdition mixer system, the designs transform the interchangeable cover plate into a sculptural surface. The platform separates the functional body of the mixer from the decorative plate, allowing surfaces to be exchanged and customised while maintaining technical performance. NURU integrates faceted composite surfaces with LED illumination that responds to water temperature. KARA features precision routed timber with rhythmic carved patterning. TAGUNA explores sculpted brass relief and geometric articulation. EREMBE presents faceted brass geometries that interact dynamically with light.
The project marks a milestone for the South African design industry, representing the first collaboration between a South African designer and a globally recognised luxury bathroom manufacturer within an international platform. The collection celebrates storytelling, craft and artistry, drawing on traditions of surface expression and artisanal practice found across Africa. These narratives are translated into four interchangeable cover plate designs named NURU, KARA, TAGUNA and EREMBE, each exploring a distinct material language and sculptural interpretation of surface. Developed within the MyEdition mixer system, the designs transform the interchangeable cover plate into a sculptural surface. The platform separates the functional body of the mixer from the decorative plate, allowing surfaces to be exchanged and customised while maintaining technical performance. NURU integrates faceted composite surfaces with LED illumination that responds to water temperature. KARA features precision routed timber with rhythmic carved patterning. TAGUNA explores sculpted brass relief and geometric articulation. EREMBE presents faceted brass geometries that interact dynamically with light.
Product Innovation / Specification:
The designs operate within the MyEdition mixer system where the decorative cover plate is separated from the functional body of the faucet. This modular architecture allows the surface element to be removed and replaced while maintaining the technical performance of the mixer, turning the plate into a platform for material exploration and design expression. Four interchangeable plates explore distinct interpretations of storytelling, craft and artistry through material and surface articulation. NURU introduces a faceted composite surface with LED illumination responding to water temperature, glowing blue for cold and red for hot. KARA features precision routed ash timber where carved grooves emphasise grain, depth and shadow. TAGUNA explores sculpted brass relief and patterned articulation that plays with light. EREMBE presents faceted brass geometry whose angular planes create shifting reflections and sculptural presence. Together the designs demonstrate how a modular product platform can accommodate diverse material expressions while maintaining the precision and engineering of an industrial product.
The designs operate within the MyEdition mixer system where the decorative cover plate is separated from the functional body of the faucet. This modular architecture allows the surface element to be removed and replaced while maintaining the technical performance of the mixer, turning the plate into a platform for material exploration and design expression. Four interchangeable plates explore distinct interpretations of storytelling, craft and artistry through material and surface articulation. NURU introduces a faceted composite surface with LED illumination responding to water temperature, glowing blue for cold and red for hot. KARA features precision routed ash timber where carved grooves emphasise grain, depth and shadow. TAGUNA explores sculpted brass relief and patterned articulation that plays with light. EREMBE presents faceted brass geometry whose angular planes create shifting reflections and sculptural presence. Together the designs demonstrate how a modular product platform can accommodate diverse material expressions while maintaining the precision and engineering of an industrial product.
Product Sustainability Approach:
The design aligns with the sustainability principles of the mixer platform on which it is developed, a system internationally recognised for responsible product development and environmental performance. The platform has received global sustainability awards reflecting its commitment to environmentally responsible manufacturing, water efficiency and durable product design. Longevity is supported through modular architecture. By separating the functional mixer body from the interchangeable cover plate, aesthetic components can be updated or replaced without discarding the entire fixture. This approach extends the life cycle of the product while reducing unnecessary material consumption. The designs work within this framework through interchangeable plates that allow the visual character of the mixer to evolve while preserving the technical core of the product. Durable materials including brass, engineered composite and responsibly sourced timber are used across the collection. Selected for their durability and long service life, they maintain performance within demanding bathroom environments.
The design aligns with the sustainability principles of the mixer platform on which it is developed, a system internationally recognised for responsible product development and environmental performance. The platform has received global sustainability awards reflecting its commitment to environmentally responsible manufacturing, water efficiency and durable product design. Longevity is supported through modular architecture. By separating the functional mixer body from the interchangeable cover plate, aesthetic components can be updated or replaced without discarding the entire fixture. This approach extends the life cycle of the product while reducing unnecessary material consumption. The designs work within this framework through interchangeable plates that allow the visual character of the mixer to evolve while preserving the technical core of the product. Durable materials including brass, engineered composite and responsibly sourced timber are used across the collection. Selected for their durability and long service life, they maintain performance within demanding bathroom environments.
Local and Regional Impacts of the Product:
The project introduces a South African design voice into a globally distributed product platform, demonstrating how regional perspectives on storytelling, craft and artistry can inform contemporary industrial design. By translating narratives and surface expressions inspired by African craft traditions into an internationally manufactured product, the work contributes to the growing visibility of South African talent and depth within the global design landscape. For South Africa, it signifies something deeper. A seat at the table. A voice that speaks with clarity, creativity and conviction, one that cannot be ignored.
The project introduces a South African design voice into a globally distributed product platform, demonstrating how regional perspectives on storytelling, craft and artistry can inform contemporary industrial design. By translating narratives and surface expressions inspired by African craft traditions into an internationally manufactured product, the work contributes to the growing visibility of South African talent and depth within the global design landscape. For South Africa, it signifies something deeper. A seat at the table. A voice that speaks with clarity, creativity and conviction, one that cannot be ignored.
Company Name:Ryan Olivier + AXOR
Lead Designer(s) Name(s):Ryan Olivier
Profile Description:
Vitalli. is a collectible design brand which speaks to the raw, unfiltered beauty in imperfection - where precision meets intuition, and form follows feeling. Vitalli. fosters a dialogue between presence, absence, permanence and change - designed to be lived with & evolve over time. Each moment is meticulously crafted, with passion, precision and an uncompromising attention to detail – for those with an eye for the exceptional.
Vitalli. is a collectible design brand which speaks to the raw, unfiltered beauty in imperfection - where precision meets intuition, and form follows feeling. Vitalli. fosters a dialogue between presence, absence, permanence and change - designed to be lived with & evolve over time. Each moment is meticulously crafted, with passion, precision and an uncompromising attention to detail – for those with an eye for the exceptional.
Previous Awards Won:
Member of Scape 100 2026 Winner of Scape Masterpiece of the Year Shortlisted for Scape Maker of the Year Winner of Cape Town Furniture Week Best in Show
Member of Scape 100 2026 Winner of Scape Masterpiece of the Year Shortlisted for Scape Maker of the Year Winner of Cape Town Furniture Week Best in Show
