AlvinT designs Toja series for TOTO
Taken from the ancient language of Sanskrit, the word Toja, which means water, connotes fluidity, clarity, and character.
How did you come up with the design for TOTO Toja?
Like all designers, I wanted to try something new. For the longest time, the toilet bowl has always assumed the same amorphous shape, and I just wanted to break away from that. I did a lot of research and worked closely with TOTO in order to better understand the history as well as technical specifications behind what goes into making a good, functional toilet. In the end, we decided that the rounded-off rectangular shape would be the way to go. This element is repeated throughout the whole series—from the toilet, washbasin, showerhead, and my personal favorite, the faucet. It’s edgy without being too futuristic.
It's quite a statement.
I think we can afford to be a little more progressive. People now live in a cleaner, less ornate environment. They’re more open-minded and sophisticated. The bathroom is no longer a forgotten nook in the back of the house. Bathrooms are getting bigger and they reflect the owner’s lifestyle as much as the living room does.
What were some of the challenges you faced?
It’s a rare opportunity to be working with such an established household name. I am amazed by how precise and thorough the mathematics is. It reminds me that design comprises of more than just visual aesthetics. In this case, the designer becomes more of a problem solver. The TOTO Toja series is in many ways a departure from convention but I believe that it is an apt expression of the times we’re living in.
How has this collaboration enriched your understanding of design?
We had to build a completely new ceramic mold to produce the design. As we all know, clay bodies shrink when fired at in high temperatures. It took us many tries before we finally managed to achieve the quality we want.
