Valet Toiletborstelensemble by Tom Doull and Michael Bowen

Valet Toiletborstelensemble by Tom Doull and Michael Bowen is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2023 A' Design Award in IJzer in Badkamermeubels en Sanitair Ontwerp Competition Category.

IJzerSanitair· 2023

Valet Toiletborstelensemble

by Tom Doull and Michael Bowen

Client: Valet

A' Design Award in IJzer Winner in Sanitair Category

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Verified Award Winner

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View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

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The Design

About Valet Toiletborstelensemble

Valet werkt net zo hard als het er goed uitziet. Valet is hygiënisch, regelmatig en gemakkelijk schoon te maken en is een alles-in-één toiletborstel en extra rolopslag in één slanke en ongecompliceerde unit. Valet, een primeur in zijn soort op de markt, heeft de functionaliteit en het scala aan afwerkingen om zich aan elke badkamer aan te passen. De borstel is gemaakt van antimicrobiële siliconen en heeft korte borstelharen, waardoor hij effectief reinigt en droogtap. De borstel zit netjes opgeborgen in een hoes. De hoes loopt af in een verwijderbare bodembeker die kan worden losgemaakt voor eenvoudige en effectieve reiniging door spoelen in een wastafel.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award in IJzer

Valet Toiletborstelensemble is winnaar van de A' Design Award in IJzer, een prestigieuze erkenning die wordt toegekend aan goede ontwerpen die voldoen aan de professionele en industriële eisen die worden verwacht van goed ontworpen creaties. Winnaars in IJzer tonen grote vaardigheid, hoge specialisatie, deskundig inzicht en het creatieve vermogen van hun makers. Valet Toiletborstelensemble wordt verwacht een hooggewaardeerde, bewonderde en gekoesterde creatie te zijn die praktisch en innovatief is. Dit ontwerp dat de A' Design Award in IJzer heeft gewonnen, integreert de beste praktijken uit de sector en heeft bekwame technische kenmerken die verbonden zijn met knowhow en talent. Valet Toiletborstelensemble wordt gerespecteerd om zijn grondigheid en is ontworpen om verbeteringen van de levenskwaliteit te bieden die helpen de wereld een betere plek te maken.

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