The domestic sink can take on many different forms, from a traditional round bowl basin to a sharp-edged shallow twin user trough. Basins come in all manners of finishes, colors and sizes, but we wanted to delve deeper into the world of super sinks to see if we could uncover something really extraordinary. We found not one, but 30 weird and wonderful solutions, including ecologically friendly ideas, integrated systems and cunningly concealed designs.
Our first interesting find under a faucet is this elegant bathroom sink that has an etched glass base. When raised up on it's waste collar, the base casts a beautiful light pattern over the surface of the vanity unit below.
This organic form is the solid resin 'spoon sink'-the sister product the award winning spoon urinal-which mimics the shape of a single teardrop.
This Philips integrated chopping-board sink makes for a seamless prep area in the kitchen.
Irregularly stacked pebble shapes make up the limited edition 'Water Stone Faucet'. The zen-garden worthy tap is teamed with a gently scooped sink, and comes in a contemporary chrome finish or a delicate china white.
A minimalistic white slab takes on extra character with the incorporation of a blue splash shaped hollow.
Resembling the shape of the Calla lilly, the 'Kalla' sink is a freestanding form made from Cristalplant.
Another sink formed from Cristalplant (which is the first eco-sustainable solid surface made from materials of plant origin combined with natural inert minerals of absolute purity) is this chunky block cut through with a slimline grate drain.
This sharp corned cuboid outline appears to hang precariously in mid-air, with waste water disappearing into the subtle mount.
'Wing' is a wall sink that looks as though a solid basin has taken on fluidity and been stretched out in either direction, with the horizontal plane forming a vanity shelf, and the vertical reach offering a decorative light.
The 'Eaux Eaux', or 'Water Water' basins become crashing waves as the water from the fully integrated faucet touches down into the bowl.
A disappearing sanitary ware design has been made possible by topping the washbasin, toilet bowl and shower tray with solid larch wood covers. The WC volume also incorporates a small storage drawer to the side.
Continuous lines create these unique bathroom wonders, where a glass sided basin and bath are directly connected, or an over-bath shower is flipped to become an outer bath shower from the side of a freestanding tub.
This one is excellent for showmanship but we're not really convinced about the function; you certainly couldn't brush your teeth at the sink whilst the tub was filling!
This design is a little more practical, though if your partner likes to wash at the sink whilst you bath then you might find yourself getting splashed by cold water.
Here is a concept that combines the sink with the toilet. but rather than for the sake of aesthetics it does this for the very important purpose of conserving water. Here is how it works: After using the WC, the hand basin can be used to cleanse your hands with fresh water. The water used will then be stored in the tank as gray water for when next you flush.
Basically the same concept of using the water drained from the sink for the flush, but realized in a more elegant form.
A low level sink.
Simply beautiful.
Transparent sink.
Water Jewels Collection from VitrA
A water map.
LED drama.
Another curvaceous creation.
Glass trough.
Glassworks.
Again, this looks great but we're not sold on the water conservation aspect.
A concept which goes to the other extreme: conserve or else!
A futuristic concept where you draw surfaces on walls and give them functions. We wouldn't hold our breath for this one!
