In an era of digital precision, AI automation, and mass reproducibility, the value of the human craftmanship is being reimagined rather than lost. It's in this intersection between machine logic and material intuition that Dornbracht, the German manufacturer renowned for sculptural fittings, launches The Rock, the debut piece of its new Atelier Editions.
Inspired by the primal force of natural stone, The Rock is a faucet handle that is a tactile, expressive object that restores individuality and sensuality to the contemporary bathroom and kitchen landscape. Revisiting the iconic MEM series, the design introduces a bold, organically shaped handle, milled from solid metal with artisanal hand-finishing. Each piece becomes a singular creation, where industrial precision meets the intimacy of craft.
Sculpted by Hand. Refined by Machine
The distinctiveness of The Rock lies in its meticulous production process. Each handle is milled from solid metal with CNC precision, then carefully hand-sanded and polished to reveal subtle variations of texture and shine. The process concludes with electroplating, which ensures durability and exclusive finishes such as Brushed Dark Platinum, Chrome, Brushed Bronze, or Durabrass (23kt gold), resulting in a component that transforms an everyday gesture into a sensory experience, in which weight, density, and materiality are directly perceived by the user.
From The Rock to Your Rock
Beyond the curated metal editions, the Your Rock concept broadens the field of possibilities. Handles can also be produced in natural stones such as travertine, Nero Portoro, or Grand Antique, enabling architects and designers to create solutions of material continuity between faucet and countertop, or contrasting compositions where stone engages in dialogue with noble metals. In addition, the handles can be applied to other product lines, such as the CYO series, reinforcing the idea that this is not just a fixed accessory but rather a customizable design element.
Atelier Editions: A Manifesto of Individuality
With The Rock, Dornbracht inaugurates the Atelier Editions: small-scale pieces that explore the intersection between craftsmanship and formal experimentation. For Caroline Schmitt, General Management Dornbracht, the collection is both inspiration and manifesto:
Our Atelier Editions demonstrate that there are no limits to creativity. At the same time, they are an invitation to completely rethink the design of fittings. – Caroline Schmitt
Dedicated to one-off or limited productions, the Atelier segment allows architects and designers to specify technical adjustments, finishes, and exclusive creations. This hybrid approach expands the creative field and brings authenticity back into focus. And the faucet, in this context, is elevated to the status of authored design object, conceived with originality and sensuality, uniting craftsmanship and technology to expand the possibilities of design in a technology-driven era.
