Samuel Ross and Kohler Launch the Formation 01 Faucet

British artist and designer Dr Samuel Ross’s studio SR_A and Kohler have developed a sculptural new faucet that was unveiled at Design Miami/ 2023

A collaboration between global bathroom and tapware brand Kohler and British artist and designer Dr Samuel Ross’s studio SR_A, the Formation 01 faucet debuted in the Terminal 01 architecture installation at Design Miami/ 2023 in early December. The inaugural collaboration between Kohler, creative visionary Dr Ross and his industrial design studio was produced in a limited quantity of just 299 faucets, which were made available to purchase from December 13 2023.

‘The bold, dramatic design of Terminal 01, like the faucet itself, aimed to reinvent the daily engagements with water and invited visitors to control and affect the flow and intensity of water travelling towards the centre of the space,’ says Gary Clarke, Kohler’s Lead Industrial Designer. ‘While we watched water flow through the installation, we were called to reflect on our relationship with the element, the forms that transport it and the expectation we have of this experience.’

Cast entirely in Kohler’s Haptic Orange hue, Terminal 01 featured two faucets positioned across from one another. Visitors were drawn to the tactile details and precise water control, while ambient sounds enveloped the installation, echoing the tranquil yet powerful essence of moving water. Visually, the display was enhanced by textured architectural monoliths and dynamic digital screens, encapsulating the art and engineering behind the process of harnessing water. 

‘Establishing a new relationship to water through engineering and aesthetics was at the top of my mind,’ Dr Ross explains. ‘Within Kohler’s onsite ecosystem, the opportunity to work with specialist artisans and engineers was essential in taking a raw concept and transforming it into a scalable remit.’

The Formation 01 faucet can also be experienced through a specially designed augmented reality experience via the Kohler x SR_A website. The custom-designed filter allows viewers to place and engage with Formation 01 in various settings, from their own home to a public space. Through these physical and virtual encounters, Kohler x SR_A aims to inspire design and bold thinking for all.