DOT316 by Ritmonio

Ritmonio, the Italian company that combines craft care, aesthetic research and technical manufacturing expertise to create exclusive products, presents DOT316: a series of bathroom taps in AISI 316L stainless steel.

Designed by Studio BMB Progetti and presented by Ritmonio at the 2018 Salone del Mobile, DOT316 stands out for its highly refined design, in which pure, rigorous and rational lines alternate with soft, rounded volumes. In this article we look at the idea behind the series, what its material brings, its finishes and configurations, its water consumption and the DOT316 Round line, which extends it with rotary controls.

A fixed point on orthogonal lines

The name says it all: the composition of the pieces is based on ‘a fixed point’ that crosses the crisp, orthogonal lines of the mixer body, sculpted from noble AISI 316L steel. According to Ritmonio, this meeting of rigorous geometries and soft volumes produces an interplay of joints through which the brand seeks a simply sophisticated product.

Behind the design are Guido Bellucci and Francesco Mazzoni of Studio BMB Progetti (Siena), who have worked for years with architecture practices. For DOT316 they drew on minimalism and pushed the simplicity of the forms towards more geometric solutions. In Ritmonio's presentation, the designers themselves sum up the principles of the project: simplicity, respect for the environment, noble materials such as AISI 316 stainless steel, light, reflections, personalisation and balance.

Why AISI 316L stainless steel

The whole collection is made of stainless steel, and the mixer bodies in particular are sculpted from AISI 316L (European designation EN 1.4404), the number that gives the series its name. It is a steel that Ritmonio also works in its industrial division, where it manufactures stainless steel components for the sanitary sector and for small domestic appliances. For specifiers, these are its main characteristics:

• Molybdenum: 316L is an austenitic stainless steel alloyed with molybdenum, which allows it to be used where greater corrosion resistance is required.
• Low carbon content: the ‘L’ denotes a low-carbon version, intended for demanding uses in the process industry and in aggressive environments.
• A food-grade and medical-grade material: stainless steel is commonly used for components in the food, pharmaceutical and medical equipment industries.

Three brushed steel finishes

DOT316 taps are available in three finishes: brushed stainless steel, brushed black stainless steel and brushed champagne stainless steel. Ritmonio conceives the series for those looking for a bathroom of minimal, refined taste, in contexts where ‘less is more’.

Configurations for basin, bidet, bath and shower

DOT316 comes in multiple configurations to suit different types of installation. The collection page on Ritmonio's website organises the models into these families:

• Basin: deck-mounted single-lever mixers, such as the PR50AA201; floor-standing mixers; concealed wall-mounted mixers and three-hole sets.
• Bidet: deck-mounted single-lever mixer.
• Bath: concealed mixers with diverter, deck-mounted sets and floor-standing sets.
• Shower: concealed single-lever and thermostatic mixers, diverters, stop valves and freestanding showers.

With concealed models, the part that goes inside the wall is installed before the wall finish, so they should be defined together with the plumbing. Single-plate wall-mounted mixers, such as the PR50AH101, bring the spout and the handle together in a single element on the wall.

The 75A023 shower head

The series also includes stainless steel shower elements. The 75A023 shower head, which appears in the DOT316 catalogue, combines a rectangular plate with a central disc and, according to Ritmonio, offers two water outlets: cascade or Ø300 mm rain.

Water saving: ECO flow rate below 9 l/min

With a minimal approach, the collection meets functional needs and offers an elegant design; according to Ritmonio, with the environment taken into account during production. DOT316 is part of Ritmonio's range of water-saving products, characterised by an ECO flow rate below 9 l/min and designed, according to the manufacturer, to encourage responsible use of resources.

Ritmonio explains that its RitmonioECO basin and bidet mixers are designed to reduce water consumption without sacrificing comfort, and that the company holds ISO 14001 environmental certification.

DOT316 Round: the circle as an alternative

Ritmonio has completed the collection with a new line, DOT316 Round. Through soft, rounded volumes, it offers solutions with rotary controls while retaining the series' water-saving functions. It is available in the same three finishes: brushed stainless steel, brushed black and brushed champagne.

Like DOT316, the new line is made of AISI 316L steel. Its name comes from the geometry of the circle, which in this version is developed in the body and spout of the tap. Ritmonio presents it as an alternative to the straight lines of DOT316, for those who prefer more delicate, sinuous forms.

Ritmonio, taps made in Italy

Rubinetterie Ritmonio is based in Varallo (Vercelli, Italy) and operates through two divisions: Factory, which produces safety valves for electric water heaters and components in brass, stainless steel, aluminium and copper, and Bath & Shower, devoted to the design and manufacture of taps and bathroom accessories. The company describes its products as ‘Made in Italy’ from start to finish.

At Matter we help you plan the whole bathroom: the taps, the accessories and the surfaces that go with them. Come to our material library to see Ritmonio's products and compare materials and finishes with your technical team.