A Danish design classic
When legendary Danish architect Arne Jacobsen designed the VOLA 111 wall mixer in 1968, he single-handedly ushered in a new era for bathroom design. Stunning in its simplicity and purity of form, the iconic mixer gained instant global acclaim and, just like the design itself, has changed little since then. Often imitated but never matched, VOLA 111 and the basin-mounted HV1 tap Jacobsen designed at the same time are true design classics that remain just as desirable today as they were over 50 years ago.
VOLA 111 was a pioneering design – the world’s first fully integrated, single-lever wall mixer with all the mechanical parts of the tap hidden and just the spout and grip visible. The deceptively simple geometric design, consisting of circles bisected by a single line, concealed the true complexities of the manufacturing process required to make it – one of the reasons, no doubt, the VOLA 111 is often copied but never equalled. The equally impressive basinmounted HV1 mixer, defined by its concise, cylindrical body, was also part of the original VOLA series.
Initially created for the National Bank of Denmark, the public’s enthusiasm for the 111 and HV1 soon saw VOLA put them into production for general consumption. Their popularity hasn’t waned since; for many design aficionados, VOLA 111 and HV1 are the ultimate examples of considered design, making them highly sought-after additions to contemporary bathrooms to this day.
Pared-back minimalism wasn’t the only gamechanging feature introduced with these designs. VOLA 111 was the world’s first modular tapware system, allowing for unlimited design configurations; change the backplate, the spout length, the handle configuration – the choice is yours.
These taps also started a colour revolution in bathrooms. Suddenly, chrome and stainless steel weren’t the only options, with the VOLA 111 and HV1 first available in grey and orange, quickly expanding to 10 colours and now sitting at 28 colours and finishes.
As early 1970s design trends embraced bold colours and patterns in bathrooms, taps in fun, harmonizing hues could form central features of room schemes as unexpected and impactful focal points. Fast-forward to 2023, and colour is again big news in bathrooms. VOLA 111 and HV1 are available in green and red tones, or metallic finishes such as copper, brushed gold and stainless steel – increasingly popular options for architects, designers and home renovators.
Enduring design has always been integral to VOLA’s DNA, and the 111 and HV1 are perfect examples. Like all VOLA taps, the 111 and HV1 are made from the finest materials and last for generations. In fact, VOLA still delivers spare parts for taps that are over 50 years old.
In 1974, VOLA tapware was welcomed into the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York – a testament to the legacy Jacobsen created. True Danish design classics, VOLA products are pieces of history for which there are no imitations.