3 Questions for Serafini
Q: PIANO transforms the idea of a washbasin into a sculptural statement. What was the initial inspiration, and how did your collaboration with BUDDE shape the final design?
A: The initial concept for PIANO was conceived by Johannes Budde over a decade ago, during his architectural studies. He imagined a washbasin made of vertical marble slabs minimalist, poetic, and deeply architectural. When BUDDE brought the idea to us at Serafini, we immediately saw its potential. The collaboration allowed us to merge their conceptual approach with our expertise in marble processing and craftsmanship. It became a true co-creation: BUDDE led the artistic direction, while we explored technical feasibility and material behavior, ultimately translating the vision into a functional, elegant product.
Q: Achieving such a clean, floating look surely came with technical hurdles. What were the main challenges in realizing this concept, and how did you solve them?
A: One of the biggest challenges was achieving precise alignment and stability among the vertical slabs while hiding the drainage and support structure. We developed a custom stainless-steel base and internal system that allows water to flow invisibly, while ensuring
structural integrity. Another key aspect was the use of a waterjet cutting process to maintain the exact dimensions required for a seamless effect. The modularity of the slabs each individually removable also allowed us to resolve maintenance access in a discreet and elegant way.
Q: Serafini regularly partners with international designers. What qualities do you value in external studios like BUDDE, and how do you ensure a shared creative direction?
A: We look for studios and designers that share our curiosity, sensitivity to material and respect for craftsmanship. With BUDDE, we found a partner that values simplicity and depth concepts we strongly believe in. From the start, we establish a dialogue based on trust and transparency. Every collaboration is a balance between creative freedom and technical constraint and we make sure that both sides are aligned through regular exchange. This ensures that the final outcome is not a compromise, but a synthesis of vision and know-how. Our advanced machinery does important work, but what makes our work and our collaborations unique are the artisans, who expertly give a soul to each piece, making it truly unique
About PIANO
Presented for the first time during Milan Design Week 2024 at Serafini Gallery, PIANO is the result of an ambitious collaboration between Serafini and studio BUDDE. This innovative washbasin challenges the conventional form of bathroom fixtures, transforming the sink into a sculptural centerpiece. Composed of vertically arranged marble slabs, PIANO allows water to flow through discreet gaps between the stones, with drainage fully concealed within the structure. The result is a clean, floating visual effect that blurs the boundaries between functional object and architectural installation.
The name “PIANO” references both the musical instrument echoed in the rhythm and spacing of the marble slabs and the Italian words for “flat” and “slow,” alluding to the tactile, almost meditative ritual of handwashing. Fully customizable in size, stone type, and structure, PIANO is a made-to-order piece designed to adapt to a variety of high-end interiors, from boutique hotels to private residences.
Crafted entirely in Italy at Serafini’s factory in Vicenza, each washbasin is shaped using advanced stone-cutting technology and finished by hand. Its modular construction allows for efficient shipping, simplified maintenance, and long-term durability individual slabs can be easily removed or replaced, extending the product’s lifecycle.
Designed for luxury spaces, PIANO is not just aesthetically timeless but also functionally enduring. Its adaptability in size and material selection ensures that it meets the needs of diverse interior settings, enhancing longevity and reducing the likelihood of replacement. By combining timeless aesthetics, a modular design approach and precise craftsmanship, PIANO offers a responsible approach to high-end design.
BUDDE is a German design studio founded by architect Johannes Budde and brand expert Meike Papenfuss. Working between Cologne and Milan, the studio creates furniture and interior objects defined by essential forms, purposeful details, and a commitment to quality. Rooted in architecture, BUDDE’s work reimagines everyday objects with clarity and quiet strength.
Project
PIANO
Year of Completion:
2024
Photography
Serafini
Edited by:
Blažka Drnovšek
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BIG SEE Talks with Serafini
Q: PIANO transforms the idea of a washbasin into a sculptural statement. What was the initial inspiration, and how did your collaboration with BUDDE shape the final design?
A: The initial concept for PIANO was conceived by Johannes Budde over a decade ago, during his architectural studies. He imagined a washbasin made of vertical marble slabs minimalist, poetic, and deeply architectural. When BUDDE brought the idea to us at Serafini, we immediately saw its potential. The collaboration allowed us to merge their conceptual approach with our expertise in marble processing and craftsmanship. It became a true co-creation: BUDDE led the artistic direction, while we explored technical feasibility and material behavior, ultimately translating the vision into a functional, elegant product.
Q: Achieving such a clean, floating look surely came with technical hurdles. What were the main challenges in realizing this concept, and how did you solve them?
A: One of the biggest challenges was achieving precise alignment and stability among the vertical slabs while hiding the drainage and support structure. We developed a custom stainless-steel base and internal system that allows water to flow invisibly, while ensuring
structural integrity. Another key aspect was the use of a waterjet cutting process to maintain the exact dimensions required for a seamless effect. The modularity of the slabs each individually removable also allowed us to resolve maintenance access in a discreet and elegant way.
Q: Serafini regularly partners with international designers. What qualities do you value in external studios like BUDDE, and how do you ensure a shared creative direction?
A: We look for studios and designers that share our curiosity, sensitivity to material and respect for craftsmanship. With BUDDE, we found a partner that values simplicity and depth concepts we strongly believe in. From the start, we establish a dialogue based on trust and transparency. Every collaboration is a balance between creative freedom and technical constraint and we make sure that both sides are aligned through regular exchange. This ensures that the final outcome is not a compromise, but a synthesis of vision and know-how. Our advanced machinery does important work, but what makes our work and our collaborations unique are the artisans, who expertly give a soul to each piece, making it truly unique
About the project
Presented for the first time during Milan Design Week 2024 at Serafini Gallery, PIANO is the result of an ambitious collaboration between Serafini and studio BUDDE. This innovative washbasin challenges the conventional form of bathroom fixtures, transforming the sink into a sculptural centerpiece. Composed of vertically arranged marble slabs, PIANO allows water to flow through discreet gaps between the stones, with drainage fully concealed within the structure. The result is a clean, floating visual effect that blurs the boundaries between functional object and architectural installation.
The name “PIANO” references both the musical instrument echoed in the rhythm and spacing of the marble slabs and the Italian words for “flat” and “slow,” alluding to the tactile, almost meditative ritual of handwashing. Fully customizable in size, stone type, and structure, PIANO is a made-to-order piece designed to adapt to a variety of high-end interiors, from boutique hotels to private residences.
Crafted entirely in Italy at Serafini’s factory in Vicenza, each washbasin is shaped using advanced stone-cutting technology and finished by hand. Its modular construction allows for efficient shipping, simplified maintenance, and long-term durability individual slabs can be easily removed or replaced, extending the product’s lifecycle.
Designed for luxury spaces, PIANO is not just aesthetically timeless but also functionally enduring. Its adaptability in size and material selection ensures that it meets the needs of diverse interior settings, enhancing longevity and reducing the likelihood of replacement. By combining timeless aesthetics, a modular design approach and precise craftsmanship, PIANO offers a responsible approach to high-end design.
About Designers
BUDDE is a German design studio founded by architect Johannes Budde and brand expert Meike Papenfuss. Working between Cologne and Milan, the studio creates furniture and interior objects defined by essential forms, purposeful details, and a commitment to quality. Rooted in architecture, BUDDE’s work reimagines everyday objects with clarity and quiet strength.
Project
PIANO
Year of Completion:
2024
Location:
Italy
Contacts
Photography
Serafini
Edited by:
Blažka Drnovšek
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