In collaboration with Kohler, a global leader in premium kitchen and bath solutions, we conducted a design project to redefine the public hand dryer. The focus was on a high-velocity, cost-effective restyling of an existing product rather than a complete overhaul. By harmonizing refined aesthetics with functional ergonomics, we successfully injected fresh brand value into the category, ensuring the new design seamlessly integrates into Kohler’s prestigious product lineup.

The design direction was deeply rooted in Kohler’s signature identity—defined by bold, geometric, and iconic forms. Moving away from the cluttered complexity often found in public sanitation hardware, we embraced an alphabetical "U" shape as our core concept. This open-architectural form is not only visually minimalist and intuitive but also highly practical. By eliminating difficult-to-reach crevices, the open design makes maintenance and cleaning significantly easier, which is a vital advantage for high-traffic public environments.

To ensure efficient decision-making, our studio employed a rapid design process centered on manual sketches and physical foam-board modeling. This flexible approach allowed us to visualize and evaluate ideas instantly, maintaining project momentum while enabling a deep exploration of various stylistic directions.

The "U-shaped" design received a very positive reception from the client in the initial phase. Following this, we collaborated closely with Kohler’s Marketing and Engineering teams to further refine the concept. During this stage, we meticulously adjusted the dimensions and angles to enhance basic usability, ensuring that the hand-insertion gesture feels natural and comfortable for the user. Ultimately, this project stands as a successful balance between Kohler’s heritage of elegance and the pragmatic demands of public infrastructure.

Loop

Category

Year

Commercial Hand Dryer

2023

Client

Public Devices

Kohler