Designer's Toilets for The LooLoo Community

Where to start from?
First, let me tell you that I do love the idea of having such community, related to toilets, loos, bogs, WC, bowls, pans... there are many names of one thing we cannot live without.

@livinguktaiwan created the LooLoo Community and I am happy to join for two main reasons.
The obvious one - my job is related to it. I am Logistics Coordinator in a factory manufacturing toilets and other sanitary ware, such as cisterns, bidets, wasbasins, shower trays. Being a part of a big international group and working for over a 20 years I have a lot to tell about the bathrooms.
Second - it is fun and I am always for fun in Hive.

So, in my first post in the LooLoo Community I decided to give you an insight of how the toilets are made. Unfortunately I am not allowed to photograph the production line, company restrictions, but I can share a video clip, made years ago for our Swiss branch - Laufen. I like how the video was made together with the designers (yes, some products are specially designed) combining the production process and all that is water related. Have a look, you will not regret.

The manufacturing process is complex, but I will explain it simply. Hope not to be boring.

All starts with the mass or slip - a mixture of raw materials such as clay, felspar, sand and water. The slip goes into plaster moulds or forms in the casting area. There are different methods of casting, conventional or high pressure. Then each piece is finished manually by removing certain bits, making the surface smooth. The pieces are still containing water and they are soft. Next step is to leave them to dry.

Once the pieces are dry, they are glazed either manually or using the robot. The glaze is sprayed equally and after that it is time to send the pieces in the kiln, this is the first fire. Sometimes second fire is needed after repairing tiny details.
Next is the sorting area, where each piece is inspected and checked for the quality issues. Defected pieces are crushed and milled and returned into the slip.

Good pieces are packed according to the specifications and client's needs and sent to the warehouse. From there they are distributed.

Each client has its own requirements regarding packaging. The various products can be seen boxed, or as we call them naked, just foiled on pallets. Either way, they ae well protected during transport.

For my first post I also would love to share some old photos, taken in the showroom of Laufen, Switzerland back in 2004. The cover image shows Il Bagno Alessi, the name suggested the designer was Alessi. When you watch the video above you can see him in person.

On the next photo you can see the reflection of my much younger self in the mirror.

Then again Alessi set, same curved formes, but this time walhung toilet and bidet, while on the first photo they are floorstanding.

Next design is from Phillipe Stark.

And I will finish with this bathtub. Who would say no to a hot tub with jets! It is such a pleasure to soak in the bubbles after long strestful day.

And that is all for this first post for the LooLoo Community. Hope you enjoyed it and perhaps you too have something to share.

Till next time!

Thank you for viewing.

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