Who would have guessed that designer Dieter Sieger may have been the inspiration for the ad campaign that extrapolates a mere bathroom faucet into the blueprint for an entire house. This is an educated supposition at best, but one that fits the bill in regards to Dornbracht’s new Imo Faucet line, because Sieger began his career as an architect. No doubt the years spent building “entire estates with a sprinkling of unusual villas in Germany and other countries in between” informed his desire to eventually focus on the details (note the judicious use of the word “sprinkling”). Next for Sieger on the inevitable trajectory toward the most beautiful mixers in the world was shipbuilding, during which time he evolved toward industrial design while “modernizing the bathroom facilities on the boats.”

Imo. Designed by Dieter Sieger for Dornbracht.

Hard Meets Soft in a Package of Glistening Chrome

Modernized, indeed. The work of Sieger has blossomed into Sieger Design (now run by sons Christian and Michael), whose ongoing collaboration with manufacturer Dornbracht has most recently treated us to the eminently sensible and eco-conscious Water Zones, and will soon grace us with the sculptural stylings of Imo (debuting March 2011). Dornbracht has been kind enough to give the world advanced notice of the forthcoming series, and I believe the world will like what it sees. Imo is an acronym for “In My Opinion”—a nifty catch phrase for a series of mixers, taps, showerheads, and towel bars that “unites two prevalent formal expressions, combining a round body with a right-angled lever and spout.”

The aesthetic is clean and cool, but versatile as well. Imo’s synthesis of circularity and right angles is certain to appeal to all—whether your tastes tend to one extreme or another, or, like me, you’re ensconced squarely in between. This sneak peak gives us an advanced look at two incarnations of Imo: the single-level basin mixer with curved spout (of a slightly more “feminine” disposition) and the single-level basin mixer with adjustable right-angle spout, whose hard edges are likened to a more “masculine” style. And as for finishes? Dornbracht and Imo have the confidence to go exclusively with polished chrome.

Look for IMO around the ides of March, when spring fever will doubtless have you ready for a brand new shape of water.

Via Trendir.