Valet ’ Ann An Ensemble Bruis Toileat by Tom Doull and Michael Bowen

Valet ’ Ann An Ensemble Bruis Toileat by Tom Doull and Michael Bowen is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2023 Duais Iarainn A' Design Award in Dealbhadh Àirneis Seòmar-ionnlaid agus Uidheam Slàinteachais Competition Category.

IarannUidheam Slàinteachais· 2023

Valet ’ Ann An Ensemble Bruis Toileat

by Tom Doull and Michael Bowen

Client: Valet

Duais Iarainn A' Design Award Winner in Uidheam Slàinteachais Category

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The Design

About Valet ’ Ann An Ensemble Bruis Toileat

Bidh Valet ag obair cho cruaidh ‘s a tha e a’ coimhead math. Gu slàinteil comasach a bhith air a ghlanadh gu cunbhalach agus gu furasta, tha Valet na bhruis toileat uile-ann-aon agus stòradh rolla a bharrachd anns an aon aonad caol agus gun choimeas. A’ chiad fhear de sheòrsa air a’ mhargaidh, tha comas practaigeach agus raon de chrìochnaidhean aig Valet airson atharrachadh gu seòmar-ionnlaid sam bith. Tha am bruis air a dhèanamh le silicone anti-microbial agus tha bràgan goirid aige, a leigeas leis glanadh gu h-èifeachdach agus tapadh tioram. Tha am brus air a stòradh gu grinn ann an sleeve. Bidh an caol a’ drèanadh a-steach do chupa bun a ghabhas toirt air falbh a dh’ fhaodar a sgaradh airson glanadh furasta agus èifeachdach le bhith a’ sruthadh ann am mias làimhe.

The Recognition

About the Duais Iarainn A' Design Award

Tha Valet ’ Ann An Ensemble Bruis Toileat air Duais Iarainn A' Design Award a bhuannachadh, aithneachadh urramach a bheirear do dhealbhaidhean math a choinnicheas ris na riatanasan proifeiseanta is gnìomhachais a thathar a' sùileachadh bho chruthachaidhean a chaidh an dealbhadh gu math. Tha buannaichean Iarainn a' nochdadh sgil mhòr, speisealachadh àrd, tuigse eòlaiche agus comas cruthachail an luchd-cruthachaidh. Thathar an dùil gum bi Valet ’ Ann An Ensemble Bruis Toileat na chruthachadh air a bheil mòran meas, ion-mholta agus gràdhach a tha practaigeach agus ùr-ghnàthach. Tha an dealbhadh seo a bhuannaich Duais Iarainn A' Design Award a' cur nan cleachdaidhean as fheàrr sa ghnìomhachas còmhla agus tha feartan teignigeach comasach aige ceangailte ri eòlas-dèanamh agus tàlant. Tha meas air Valet ’ Ann An Ensemble Bruis Toileat airson a dhùrachd agus chaidh a dhealbhadh gus leasachaidhean càileachd beatha a thoirt seachad a chuidicheas le bhith a' dèanamh an t-saoghail na àite nas fheàrr.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: Valet is an all-in-one wall mounted toilet brush and additional roll holder. Designed specifically to fill a gap in the market, Valet is eminently functional yet elegantly uncomplicated, and visually harmonises with existing bathroom decor. The brush is stored in a sleeve which drains into a bottom cup. The bottom cup can be easily removed and rinsed in a hand basin, encouraging regular and effective cleaning. Additional rolls to be stored over the sleeve, closer to the toilet pan.
Dimensions & Packaging: Width 50mm x Depth 117mm x Height 435mm
Tags: toilet brush, valet, hygienic, toilet paper roll, sanitary ware, bathroom
Production Technology: The brush bristles and stem are made from silicone, selected for its anti-microbial properties, cleaning chemical resistance, and durability. The bottom cup shown here is translucent ABS plastic. The storage sleeve is hygienic stainless steel. The wall bracket and handle are brass. The whole brush can be customised with a range of typical sanitaryware finishes such as various powder coated colours, brushed brass, nickel, or chrome.
Design Challenge: The main challenges were: 1) Housing a brush within a sleeve that was altogether slim enough to store additional toilet rolls. Remaining operational as a brush without displacement of the stored rolls. 2) Making the device easy to clean while retaining its elegance. The result is a slim and uncomplicated combination of detachable parts made from carefully chosen materials such as silicone and stainless steel.
Research: Valet is a response to a gap in the market for a toilet brush that is easy to clean and hygienic coupled with the functionality of additional roll storage, recognised by architect Tom Doull through domestic design practice. Product design began as drawings and digital models and progressed through a process of 3D printed prototyping and domestic situational testing. Data was collected from these and the product further refined to reflect prevailing feedback to produce the final result.
Inspiration: The idea came over 10 years ago when designing residential bathrooms and exploring the vast world of sanitaryware only to find that when it came to toilet brushes the offerings were either uncomplimentary to the rest of the bathroom fixtures or at best expensive and difficult to clean.
Project Duration: Valet is a new product designed and developed in Australia. Originally conceived more than 10 years ago it was not until Architect Tom meet with Engineer Michael in 2021 that the Valet started to take shape. Development and testing progressed over the following year to arrive at the current resolution.
Operation Flow: The brush is made from anti-microbial silicone and has short bristles, allowing it to clean effectively and tap dry. The brush is stored neatly in a sleeve. The sleeve drains into a removable bottom cup which can be detached for easy and effective cleaning by rinsing in a hand basin. Additional rolls can be stored over the sleeve. The unique slimline design allows the brush to be withdrawn from the sleeve and used without disrupting the rolls.
Patents: Patent Pending
Team Members: Tom Doull
Michael Bowen
Image Credits: Copyright all images: Tom Doull, Michael Bowen