Interview with Shintaro Takeuchi
NTT sonority, Inc.
Red Dot: What were the top priorities during the development of PRIMO Kn Touchless?
We focused on several aspects because public sanitary facilities are associated with complex and stringent requirements. Firstly, the highest level of hygiene must be guaranteed. Secondly, it is essential that the technology used is reliable, intuitive and safe. Finally, we aimed to create a durable product with a modern aesthetic.
To what extent was the choice of materials important to the realisation of the design?
Selection of materials is central to the overall hygiene concept of PRIMO Kn Touchless, and it also beautifully complements the design. We opted for a robust 42 mm HPL composite. HPL is water-resistant, so it doesn’t provide a breeding ground for bacteria or mould. It is also easy to clean and disinfect without being damaged by the cleaners or disinfectants. Other advantages are this material’s high mechanical strength and resilience because it provides some degree of protection against deliberate damage in public access areas.
The precise details are remarkable. Was there any element that you spent a long time fine-tuning?
One major challenge was the use of slim profiles with the automatic door drive and the associated drive elements, especially the head profile, which is responsible for system stability. In the early stages of development, heavy and bulky head profiles detracted from the system’s overall appearance. But thanks to clever cable routing and the innovative door drive concept, we succeeded in creating a visual highlight that represents a streamlined and elegant solution.
