Whether we’re talking about mixers, office chairs, gymnastics equipment, showers, smartphones or service robots: the Stuttgart-based design studio focuses on modern, clean lines and adds an emotive element to everyday objects to make people want them. All over the world. Phoenix Design has been shaping the face of Hansgrohe for more than 30 years – after all, they exclusively design the Black Forest quality brand’s entire shower and mixer range. Phoenix is also constantly designing successful creations for the AXOR designer brand. The biographies of the two founders, Andreas Haug (*1946) and Tom Schönherr (*1954), are closely linked to Germany’s design history. They even created a sensation back in the 1970s at frogdesign, a legendary design studio in Stuttgart. In 1987 they launched “Phoenix”.

Phoenix Design has a representative office in Suzhou, China, it frequently features at international design fairs and sends its design experts to talks all over the world. Its in-house Academy fosters young talent. “In 500 years’ time”, said Managing Partner Tom Schönherr, “people will be going to museums and will perceive the ‘everyday objects’ of today as the culture of the 21st century.” Phoenix Design designs products and ranges that work, that are fun to use and, notably, that protect the environment. “We focus on intuitive interaction, always with the aim of transforming the brand identity into a touching experience.” The innovators frequently succeed in achieving a balance between functionality and magic. These days, product design and the design of digital interfaces are closely interlinked, which explains why over a third of the 60 employees are currently involved in Interaction Design.

In 2003 Phoenix Design participated in the launch of hansgrohe’s best-seller “Raindance”, amongst others. With its large spray disc and short, ergonomic handle, the proportions of this hand shower totally defied convention. Raindance caused such a big stir in the sanitary industry that you could even say that the sensuous Raindance shower reinvented the market for shower products. Recently, the shower range was enhanced with the addition of an extra functional feature, guaranteeing ultimate ease of use and a more enjoyable experience for both bathroom and kitchen users: Select.