Topography is a term often confined to the earth alone, and bathrooms are potentially the last place you’d expect to see this type of surface. But considering that water inevitably needs a drainage system that incorporates slopes and slanting, the existence of topography in the bathroom isn’t such a crazy concept. Obviously enchanted with this surface typology, at various scales, (check out their website) Graft Lab designed the 1D Washbasin for Kanera GmbH: a double washbasin that’s part of a larger series designed for the company.

1D. Designed by Graft Lab for Kanera.

I’m reminded of seemingly infinite layers of laser-cut chipboard, laminated and stacked to one another to produce a complex topography. Can’t say they’re my finest memories of architecture school, and I feel like it’s already falling into the category of “that’s what kids used to do,” before milling at least. But regardless, the results were generally beautiful in their own right, before being attacked by a hacksaw (I mean x-acto) for use as a concept/sketch model. Kanera 1D is forevermore refined than said models. The beginning of this year, 1D was announced as a recipient of a prestigious 2009 Good Design Award. Smooth, sinuous (and obviously rather sexy), the added bonus is that it’d be entirely easy to clean.

Think you’ve seen sink topography before? Gore Design’s Erosion Sink, shown on 3Rings this past fall, is a massive concrete block with the topographical layers seemingly carved out. Different approach – and much more difficult to clean, but likewise very cool.