Designing Luxury: Inside Hansgrohe and AXOR with Chris Mountan

On this episode of Design U, host Tina Guziec sits down with Chris Mountan from Hansgrohe and AXOR to discuss the innovative world of high-end faucets, fixtures, and showers. Chris reveals the fascinating design collaborations behind AXOR’s iconic collections, including partnerships with renowned architects and designers like Philippe Starck and Patricia Urquiola. Learn about Hansgrohe’s dedication to quality, their sophisticated finishes—including the durability of PVD coatings—and innovative products like shoulder showers, dog-friendly showerheads, and eco-conscious hoses. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone interested in blending elegant design with practical functionality in their home.

Auto-generated transcript:

---

Tina Guziec:
You’re listening to DesignU, sponsored by Studio41—your one-stop podcast for everything home design. I’m your host, Tina Guziec, and each episode we dive into the expertise of designers, contractors, and brand representatives who will share their secrets behind beautifully crafted interiors. Join us as we explore the latest trends, find fresh inspiration, and make your design projects a success, no matter how big or small.

I am joined today by Chris Mountan.

Chris Mountan:
That’s right.

Tina:
Mountan—okay, I knew I was getting it wrong! Chris is with Hansgrohe and Axor. You’re going to tell us a little bit about some of the exciting new products these brands offer. For those who aren’t familiar, what do they make and why are they important?

Chris:
Sure! A little background—I’ve been with Hansgrohe since 2007. I worked for Jacuzzi before, but when I came to Hansgrohe, I didn’t realize how large the company was. Despite doing over €1.5 billion in revenue, it’s still partially family-run by the Grohe family in Germany, and also owned by Masco, which owns Delta Faucet, Behr Paint, and others. We’re the only Masco company that isn’t fully owned by them.

Hansgrohe started in 1901 by Hans Grohe himself. The company is still family-run, and they remain actively involved. We operate two brands: Hansgrohe and Axor. I’ve worked here for nearly 18 years and can confidently say what sets us apart is our quality—German engineering and design.

We even make our own cartridges in our German plant. Axor, our designer brand, has its own plant—and to work there, you must first work four years at Hansgrohe. It’s kind of the “advanced” factory.

Tina:
The upgraded version—love that!

Chris:
Exactly. Hansgrohe is our bread-and-butter brand, but with Axor, we collaborate with designers like Philippe Starck. For example, they scout at Milan’s Furniture Fair for emerging talent to design products. Some ideas work, some don’t, but many designs get copied because of how iconic they are.

Tina:
Both Axor and Hansgrohe offer a very modern aesthetic. I think that appeals to a lot of architects and designers—the clean lines are striking.

Chris:
Absolutely. Many Axor designers are architects themselves. For example, Antonio Citterio—he designed our Citterio collection. He not only creates products, but also hotels. Designers like Philippe Starck are known across the industry. He designed a full bathroom concept for us in the 1990s—fireplaces, windows, the works—way ahead of his time.

Tina:
That’s what architects dream of—having entire lines named after them. A legacy in their field.

Chris:
Exactly. I met a designer at a hospitality show who said she wanted to design for us. That’s great, but we typically seek designers out. For example, Patricia Urquiola was our first female collaborator. She once refused to let a tree be removed for a project in Mallorca—they built the bar around it! She’s incredibly creative, and sometimes challenges our engineers, which leads to innovation.

One time at a New York furniture fair, she didn’t like the plants in our booth. Our marketing manager had to rush to three different florists to find replacements she approved of. That story really sums up the care and precision these designers bring.

Tina:
Let’s talk about finishes, especially Axor’s. Everyone’s after bronze and warm tones lately—Axor does nuance really well.

Chris:
Funny you mention that—18 years ago, the Germans only wanted Chrome. Even when Trump Tower was under construction, we only offered Chrome and Charo. Eventually, we looked into brushed nickel. Europe was slower to adopt finishes, but now it’s huge. Our PVD chambers allow us to offer special finishes like brushed bronze, gold, matte black, and even brushed black chrome. The latter is popular because it’s a PVD finish and very durable.

Tina:
Can you explain what PVD is and why it matters?

Chris:
Sure—PVD stands for Physical Vapor Deposition. It’s a chamber with special gases that bond the finish to the faucet. It results in a more durable surface and often comes with a lifetime warranty. Powder-coated matte black, for example, scratches more easily. One of our plant managers even removes his wedding ring before handling it!

We have five PVD chambers in Alpharetta, Georgia—finishing parts for Europe, because their facilities are running 24/7 to keep up with demand.

Tina:
That brushed bronze really is a crowd-pleaser. It seems more universal, like brushed nickel.

Chris:
Exactly. And we also offer polished nickel for more traditional styles. While Axor leans contemporary, we created a traditional collection called Montreux. Designed after a casino in Montreux, Switzerland, it includes details like visible seams where plumbers once joined faucet pieces together on-site.

Tina:
That’s a fun historical detail!

Chris:
It is. And stories are everything. Philippe Starck, for example, first sketched his faucet on a T-shirt. He modeled it after a well pump. Then he created the Axor Stark Organic faucet—you could twist it to go from 0.9 GPM to 1.2. He once told a crowd of 700 designers in New York, “If you’ve just murdered your mother-in-law, and want to wash the blood off your hands, then you’d go to 1.2.” He’s… eccentric.

Tina:
And now you’re introducing vessel sinks?

Chris:
Yes! We previously had a bucket-inspired design by Patricia Urquiola, but now we offer ceramic sinks with rims that match the faucet finish. If you have a gold faucet, your sink can match in gold too. They’re ideal for powder rooms or homeowners who want a matching master bath setup. We also have a freestanding tub with a finish-matching shelf.

Tina:
That matching attention to detail really sets Axor apart.

Chris:
And the brushed black chrome—kind of like gunmetal—is especially popular. One of your showroom managers actually regretted choosing matte black because it showed more water spots. The PVD finishes are much easier to maintain.

Tina:
That’s a great point—people often think color before durability. Matte black and mineral-heavy water don’t mix well!

Chris:
Exactly. And speaking of maintenance—our hoses come in metal or a new recycled seatbelt-like material. It’s stylish, easy to clean, and made from recycled bottles. Both Hansgrohe and Axor now offer it.

Tina:
We’re getting a new Axor display soon, right?

Chris:
Yes, we’ve already installed displays at Lincoln and Hubbard. Next is Palatine, then Pulaski. Highland Park is getting a full Axor Destination Display in Q2—it’s a premium display only a few places in the country have. It’ll feature Axor One, a minimalist thermostatic trim designed by Barber Osgerby, who also designed the Olympic flame and English coins.

Tina:
That trim allows for multiple spray options?

Chris:
Exactly. Three buttons—one for the hand shower, and two for the inner and outer sprays on the showerhead. In places like Chicagoland, where 2.5 GPM is allowed, you can use both sprays simultaneously for 5 GPM total.

Tina:
Perfect for clients who say, “I want a showerhead that takes my skin off.”

Chris:
Exactly! In Germany, they don’t limit water flow—they just charge more. We tested Axor One in Germany, and it was the favorite for its performance. It includes a hand shower too, which Europeans use more than Americans. They’re versatile for cleaning the shower, kids, or pets.

Tina:
Funny you mention that—couples shopping together always split: men want rain showers, women want hand showers.

Chris:
It’s true. Women like hand showers to shave their legs or bathe kids. Hansgrohe even created a dog hand shower—a brush that dispenses water through its bristles. One of our reps says it cuts bathing time in half.

Tina:
Dog showers are a growing trend. We’re doing more laundry or mudroom installs. Less bending, better cleaning, and less fur everywhere!

Chris:

We even consulted a dog psychologist while developing it. It’s not chrome because dogs see their reflection and bark—so it comes in black, white, blue, and pink. It also works with garden hoses.

Tina:
That’s brilliant. When will the displays hit our stores?

Chris:
Lincoln and Hubbard are done. Palatine and Pulaski are next. Highland Park gets the Axor Destination display in Q2. We’re also showcasing the Axor ShowerComposition column—volume control like a light switch. There’s a two-function showerhead and a shoulder shower—great for days you don’t want to wash your hair.

Tina:
That’s amazing. Thanks so much for joining us today, Chris!

Chris:
Thanks, Tina. Always a pleasure to talk Hansgrohe and Axor!