DESIGN MIAMI 2011
TOKYO DESIGN WEEK 2011
DUTCH DESIGN WEEK 2011
VIENNA DESIGN WEEK 2011Not strictly a "streel-level" difference, but I was fascinated with the design of the soap dispenser in my Reykjavik hotel bathroom. Probably because I recently went soap-dispenser shopping back in the 'States, installed one in the photo studio I run and have been unhappy with its design ever since. The one that I bought is a pain to load and constantly gets a clogged nozzle, unlike this one:
As you can see, there's no button, the entire face of the dispenser is on a hinge concealed at the top. Pull the face towards you and it easily opens for reloading:
Inside there's just a simple soap-filled bottle that gets squeezed when you press on the dispenser housing. The bottle is refillable and has a perfectly flat bottom, presumably so you can invert it and place it on a surface underneath whatever kind of pump they use to refill it. It has a silicon self-sealing closure (like a Zeller closure, for you structural package designers out there) so soap only leaks out when the bottle is squeezed.
Alas, I couldn't find the name of a manufacturer stamped anywhere on the housing; it's probably on the back, on the side stuck to the wall. I'd rip it off the wall to see, but I'm already going to have to pay a damage deposit for when I superglue the furniture to the ceiling before checkout, and I don't want to get hit with fees twice.
Comments
If you get a chance check out the mens restroom at the Art Museum. Last time I was there it had a strategically placed mirror over the mens urinal that makes for some interesting viewing.
they have these in easyhotels (easyjet's hotel chain) as well. due to its location in the room it serves as soap for washing your hands and also as shower gel when you are in the shower. a really nice, simple design, which looks better than most soap dispensers.