Anvil StudiosMay 01, 2022

Aquor

Anvil StudiosMay 01, 2022

Aquor Comfort Grip Hose Connector

With a mission to design and manufacture the world’s most innovative, efficient, and well-engineered water valves, Aquor Water Systems is reinventing the way people access water outdoors. Aquor’s product line replaces the traditional spigot fixture with the Aquor Hydrant, an exterior flush-mounted plate with the valve system embedded inside the wall to protect it from freezing. The inner valve opens by locking a variety of handles into the Hydrant via a spring-loaded, 1/3-turn bayonet-style connector.

Aquor’s products are well engineered, and they partnered with Anvil Studios to create a next generation design vision to help convey the products’ level of sophistication and innovation. The first handle product introducing the new design language is the Comfort Grip Hose Connector which connects standard 3/4” garden hoses to the Aquor Hydrant.

2022 Awards
Spark Product Award - GOLD
IDA Sustainable - SILVER
IDEA - BRONZE
Core77 Design Award - HONOREE
GOOD Design Award

Anvil’s design team was tasked with designing this new hose connector. The high-level objective was to elevate the look and feel of the product line and brand. Hard constraints included improving the usability and comfort, improving the perception of durability, and maintaining cost-effective manufacturing. Through our development process, the design resolved a myriad of issues such as small, uncomfortable grips, cumbersome knobs that were difficult to activate, ill-fitted vacuum caps that were susceptible to breaking, and the overall visual appeal.

This beautifully modern gesture helps define the new fluid design language, fitting appropriately within the modern architecture environment. The sophisticated three-pointed form is smooth and comfortable, highlighting the individual functionality of each element. Each “branch” is thoughtfully surfaced to flow gracefully into the others. The vacuum cap is integrated into the body’s geometry to prevent accidental breakage. The over-mold is used only where it is needed on the main grip. And applying Aquor’s accent color to the knob creates a branded moment while also indicating a call to action.

This new handle combines two previously separate functions into one SKU. A vacuum breaker to prevent back flow, is paired with an angled faucet hose connector, which provides comfort and ease of use. Our design team sculpted this union of elements to create the nature-inspired “branching” design gesture.

With diverse experience in industries ranging from consumer electronics, high-end audio, medical and life sciences, housewares and cycling, Anvil Studios is a product design company committed to bringing a broad range of solutions to the table.

Anvil Studios