Kohler sets a new paradigm for presentation and luxury with Anthem

Working with the tenets of minimal, tactile and instinctive interactions, Kohler - the international lifestyle and fittings brand - has devised a new showering system that is intuitive and immersive. Anthem aims to set a new paradigm for presentation which reflects the shift in user interaction across touchpoints. Set up in 1873, Kohler Co. has been at the vanguard of constantly evolving and improving the standards of elegant living. By designing and creating exceptional products that reflect the evolution and progress in technology and lifestyles.

Fitted with a next-generation user interface, the Anthem looks to change the industry with its high performance and zero error mechanism. With Anthem, Kohler takes a progressive step towards introducing and building a niche in HMI (human-machine interface) lifestyle design. It takes inspiration from the chic and precise interior of contemporary car interiors. Meant to portray a powerful aesthetic, Anthem is designed with a trim plate that includes a temperature control knob with integrated adjustable high-temperature limiters and shower outlet on/off buttons.

When pressed once, the shower outlet turns on and the button pops out, becoming a knob that allows the user to adjust the water flow. When pushed back in, the water turns off and the outlet button aligns with the control plate surface. This helps keep the flow settings intact, while the temperature limiter adds a layer of safety to the overall design.

The seemingly simple and low-profile design of the control panel is finished in an easy-to-clean water-resistant casing. Playing into its main inspiration, the valves on the Anthem control panel incorporate knurling grips on all the knobs. Reminiscent of the grips of luxury car controls, this small detail adds a tactile connection between the showering experience and luxury vehicles. The additional grip also ensures a firm grasp even with soapy hands. The clean, flushed control panel reduces the clutter one normally associates with immersive shower systems. Irrespectively, the trim plate utilises less space and is independent of the number of outlets that constitute the overall showering system. The Anthem control panel is an independent unit that can amplify one's showering experience.

The internal mechanics of the control panel are designed to eliminate any margin of error. With precision engineering, the internal valves utilised brass as opposed to plastic, making them durable and long-lasting. Integrating the Anthem panel is easy as outlet pipes can be connected from the top and the bottom. The check valves that control the temperature of the water can be adapted or switched at any time based on the unit’s installation.

In addition to this Kohler has also launched Anthem Digital. With its progressive design, simple controls and adaptable technology, Anthem Digital has the power to elevate any space. This digital variation supports all current, and will support all future Kohler digital products. Further simplifying the minimal design of the Anthem control panel, ones sees a much more simple, easy to understand graphical interface.

The main screen just displays outlets that can be turned on or off and shortcuts to temperature and flow adjustment. This feature combines the best of both worlds by creating a clean simple aesthetic of a mixer shower, with all the added functionality of a digital shower. The dual temperature zones allow for the customer to set different temperatures for different outlets. This means one can customise what temperature one will experience on a particular part of the body, creating a unique showering experience. The digital version also has haptic feedback, which creates a small vibration when a touch button is pressed. This gives the user confirms that they have pressed the button, and can help improve the experience