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While sinks can be mundane, they don’t have to be. Today, many top architects and manufacturers treat the sink as an altar, which can make the simple yet ritual process of washing your hands completely unforgettable. If you are hoping to specify an incomparable sink for your next project, this is the guide for you.
Primers
Luna Counter-Sink 2 by MTI Baths
“Sinks themselves are just the bowl that collects the water that comes out of the faucet. They are separate from the faucet and its accompanying hardware, and they usually are detached from the surface in which they sit, although some solid-surface products seamlessly connect counter to bowl. Sinks consist of a basin, rim, faucet, drain and trap, which connects the drain to the building’s plumbing.” Check out the full story here.
Snaidero creates ergonomic kitchen furniture to supplement highly efficient sink activity; image via Snaidero.
How to Select an Ergonomic Sink for Your Individual Needs
“Close your eyes and think about how much time you spend in the kitchen. Now, keep them closed and imagine how much of that time is spent hovering, bending and torquing over the sink. Despite being accustomed to discomfort in the kitchen, it is important (and sometimes unfathomable) to remember that working over a sink should be physically painless and efficient. Rather than straining your back and arms to contort into creative shapes, a sink should meet your body where it naturally rests, so, when specifying sinks, always match the tool to the user.” Check out the full story here.
Inspiration
6 Minimalist Residences Featuring “Barely There” Undermount Sinks
“Specified to rest under the countertop, they are clamped to the bottom of the material from below. This can be done with silicone-based sealants for a waterproof joint or with glued solid-surface plastic for both the sink and the counter. Depending on the sink’s material, they can also be welded to the countertop and ground to a finish. Illustrating this idea, the diagram below shows a standard way of raising an undermount sink with silicone sealant to the correct counter height.” Check out the full story here.
Case Studies
“NativeStone” concrete sinks by Native Trails
Behind the Design: The Concrete Sinks Bringing Brutalism to the Bathroom
“Creating cement-based building-products is incredibly challenging. Manufacturing that product with enough style and finesse to make it a central design object should be considered an art. That’s why architects looking for an industrial interior aesthetic often turn to high-quality concrete products that are durable and have a certain edginess to them — products that look purposeful and strong and contain an element of rarity.” Check out the full story here.
How Snøhetta Forged Stunning Sculptural Sinks for Aesop’s Oslo Store
“Snøhetta began by designing the store’s ceiling and then transitioned down to the sinks, which take on the inverse shape of the cloud-like vaults above. Because both the vaulted ceilings and walls were built with plaster in a whitewashed tone, Snøhetta sought to create sinks that had a similarly smooth and natural-stone feel.” Check out the full story here.
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