Project Overview

Scala is our leading tapware collection. Fully customisable and manufactured locally in Melbourne it captures Australia’s laidback, contemporary spirit. A timeless classic, Scala artfully balances clean, elegant lines with an industrial design sensibility that reflects our handcrafted manufacturing processes.

Scala is quintessentially Australian from its entirely on-shore production in our studio to its easy-going, refined styling.

Scala offers a comprehensive range of mixers, mixer systems, outlets, accessories, showers, tapware sets and a mini collection that is perfectly suited to smaller spaces such as apartments and powder rooms.

As the collection that launched Sussex as Australia’s premier designers of specialist tapware, Scala’s superb durability and impeccable design has made the collection an enduring favourite.

Organisation

Sussex Taps

Project Brief

Scala stemmed from our desire to reinvigorate Australian tapware to bring a more modern aesthetic to homes. We wanted to craft a tapware collection that would resonate with our consumers and possess the flexibility to match the diversity of the places in which we live. Looking to European trends, our approach centred on developing a refined collection that would still capture the easy-going spirit of the Australian lifestyle.

We envisioned a tapware collection that would respond to the diverse needs of our customers, this informed the final design outcome and continues to inform the process of innovation that our product range undergoes. We strive to meet changing customer desires and technological advancements and Scala was designed to meet these needs accordingly.

For consumers who relish a hands-on approach to the design process or interior designers looking for a unique design solution, Scala is fully customisable and provides endless design options and variations.

Project Innovation/Need

Each and every Sussex product is crafted locally in our Melbourne workshop. As the only Australian tapware company with our own foundry, we’re uniquely positioned to maintain the highest standards of sustainability and have an unwavering commitment to local design and manufacturing. We melt and recycle the precious brass shavings left over from the machining processes, turning these into new brass blocks.

Scala’s unique pin-handled design signifies an all-in-one cartridge mixer system, a feature we are very proud of as one of the first brands to introduce this system into the Australian market. At the time of Scala’s inception, tapware was limited to very traditional three-piece styles with cross-handles. A refined, simple style that would endure was at the heart of our brief and that style has remained more than 15 years on.

The collection also utilises our innovative Masterfit system, an all-in-one installation unit for Mixer Systems that saves time and labour costs. Precisely machined from a solid block of brass, Masterfit simplifies tap alignment and provides a watertight finish.

As with all of our collections, Scala offers an unmatched level of customisation, allowing users to select from an array of finishes, match to any paint swatch or combine finishes and colours to create an entirely bespoke design solution.

Design Challenge

The most challenging aspect of the process was taking our concept, which comprised several different elements, and translating it into a comprehensive line of versatile tapware and accessories. It was crucial that the design incorporate the pin-handle and an all-in-one cartridge mixer system alongside our Masterfit system, allowing the collection to have outstanding functionality. In addition to this, we wanted the collection to have a strong Australian identity, possessing a durable construction suited to our variable climate and a laidback design that captured our easy-going spirit.

At the time of Scala’s creation, Australian tapware was incredibly limited compared to its European counterparts. Scala was created to bring these trends to the Australian market, answering the market’s demands for contemporary, refined tapware solutions.

Sustainability

Sustainability is of paramount importance to us and has been an integral part of the manufacturing process since our establishment. As Australia’s only tap ware company to own a foundry and manufacture entirely on-shore, we maintain a low carbon footprint and are able to recycle and reuse precious materials left over from our manufacturing processes. We’re also able to maintain the most stringent quality control processes, as any flawed products are able to be recycled in the same manner, reducing waste.