The new LOTO collection, designed by the international studio CERIANI SZOSTAK, is the result of a combination of formal study, technological innovation and a contemporary vision for design. The objective shared with FIMA was clear from the beginning: to design a collection of versatile and ergonomic bathroom tapware, easy to install and maintain, perfect for contract projects and large-scale supplies that likewise bear a strong dimension of identity. LOTO interprets this vision from a powerful concept, inspired by nature and the effect of the loto (the Italian word for lotus) from which it takes its name. Playing among the contrasts and with a specific attention dedicated to the tactility of the surfaces, LOTO becomes a series with an evident character, in which each item has a precise design identity, from the 3 hole versions to the recesses for the shower area.
Contrast represents the common thread that runs through the entire LOTO collection, defining its visual and tactile identity. The first level of opposition concerns the surfaces. On the one hand is the glossy component, soft and organic, recalling the fluidity of water and the perfection of the drop. On the other hand, raw, elemental and rough surfaces emerge, capable of introducing a more architectural and structured dimension. It is not simply a dialogue between gloss and opaque, but a real comparison between tactile surfaces to amplify the sensory experience of the product. This possibility arises from FIMA’s technological research, always ready to experiment with galvanic and PVD finishes, including the new Moka, Amber Bronze and Gold Champagne offerings, introducing surfaces capable of enhancing touch and gestures.
The idea of a sandblasted body combined with a smooth and shiny lever renders the contrast not only visual but also perceptual, just like a drop resting on a lotus leaf. The second level of contrast concerns volumes The body of the mixer tap assumes a marked architectural presence, with a decisive thickness that makes it a structural element in the bathroom space. On the contrary, the levers and controls are designed as thin and light elements, designed to accommodate the gesture. This difference expresses a precise functional hierarchy: what it supports communicates solidity and permanence; what it touches conveys comfort and immediacy. The lightness and sliding effect of the lever on the surface are amplified by the mechanism for turning on the water. The evolution of solutions FIMA has already experimented with, as found in the FLO’ collection, sees the cartridge lowering system take up less space between the lever and body, also guaranteeing greater formal continuity and ease of cleaning.
Celebrating water through the lotus effect
Celebrating water as a symbolic and perceptive protagonist of the bathroom environment. The designers CERIANI SZOSTAK focused their reflection on the relationship between water and tapware, identifying the concept of contrast as the key narrative of the project, in the contrast between clean and soft, between thin and bold, between surface and volume.
Formal inspiration came during a trip to Japan, watching the water reflect off the lotus leaves.
The so-called Lotus Effect describes the particular water-repellent capacity of these leaves. The drop is not absorbed but maintains a surface tension that perfectly defines its contours, transformed into a small sphere slipping away.
This image has become the heart of the project.
Back in Amsterdam in their studio, Ceriani and Szostak began to translate the visual into an industrial language, to use the mixer to recreate the effect of the drop elongated on a surface, suspended and light. The naming of the LOTO is thus not merely evocative but encapsulates the essence of the entire collection, a tribute to nature and its ability to offer up extraordinary aesthetic and functional solutions.
The single-hole mixer tax and the three-hole version were thus developed as complementary interpretations of the same concept, each with its own expressiveness. The LOTO mixer tap is a contemporary and streamlined solution, ideal for integrated or recessed countertop washbasins, available in different heights. The three-hole tap then has a more sophisticated character, interpreting the theme of contrast in the equilibrium between bold barrel and thin handles. In both versions, attention to ergonomics is a fundamental aspect. The form and levers, albeit streamlined, ensure surprising comfort. having been designed to adapt naturally to the hand, giving a pleasant feeling in daily use. The flared LOTO bases, for example, slim the product while making it easy to install and maintain, fundamental aspects in contract projects. Instead, the rosette is transformed into the body of the mixer tap through a morphing of diameters that gives continuity to the lines and improves the usability of the product. The dispensing mouth itself is tapered, becoming thinner at the dispensing point, with a play of volumes that enhances its recognisability.
Many small details spell out FIMA’s ability to express the identity of its brand in each collection, combining the culture of the project and the desire to experiment.
Ceriani Szostak is a design studio founded in Amsterdam by Gilberto Ceriani and Ania Szostak. Gilberto graduated from IED in Italy in 2012, while Ania earned her degree from the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw in 2015. They met in Amsterdam, where they worked for a decade at the Marcel Wanders studio before launching their own practice in 2024.
Their work spans furniture, lighting, and interiors, combining a sharp aesthetic with a particular focus on materials and functionality. Driven by a shared passion for art and innovation, they create products that balance tradition with contemporary ideas, adopting a refined and experimental approach to shaping objects and spaces. The studio collaborates with renowned brands such as Fendi Casa and other international design leaders, offering a clear and thoughtful perspective in every project.