Tubu is drawn from water flow.

Tubu is a hand shower with a chlorine filter to soften water for sensitive skin. Chlorine is commonly used in water treatment process, and a small residual can cause dryness or irritations to sensitive skin. Tubu uses Calcium Sulfite to neutralize chlorine in water.

The design drew inspiration from the shapes of water; the flow, the tension, and the burst. It is conceptually expressed through a fluid surface that is pulled and flared into a functional form. The soft silhouette is divided into three parts; the base that houses the filter, the body to hold, and the head that disperses water.

The shower head is domed like water tension in a full glass; and has undulating details that resemble an array of streams. The undulating ripples double as a grip for removing the shower head, allowing easy and tool-free maintenance.

Shower streams are produced through 90 micro openings. The micro openings are individually arranged and angled for an even coverage and a finer shower experience, while effectively reducing water consumption.

The transparent base cases the filter in a gallery, when water flows through and fills the chamber, it instantly magnifies the filter, adding a spectacle to the moment. The optical gift came to the design as a surprise and I embraced it delightfully.

The filter is long, translucent, and has undulating details to resonate with the shower head. The undulating fins guide the water flow and stabilize the filter in use. I enjoy the layering of the transparent base, the translucent filter, and the opaque white sodium sulfite, as the superimposition may pique curiosities. 

The most challenging part of the project was achieving a desirable water feel. To produce a shower that feel firm yet gentle, the streams should be balanced in volume and velocity. And they should feel rounded on the skin (not pointy). A water feel is created from a composition of an interior geometry and an outlet size. Several prototypes were made and tested in different water pressures until the desirable water feel is achieved.

Over three years and through the pandemic, Tubu was developed from the ground up. The product that I had the pleasure of designing, preliminary engineering, and design direct all technical aspects to production. Some of the product photography were done in house too, which was fun and educational (the terrazzo and white marble photos).

Client:
C.I.T. Corporation Limited

Design:
Pichaya Puttorngul

Photography:
Pichaya Puttorngul

Special Thanks:
Santi Srivicharnkul