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- TWOby Piet Boon
- INCby Piet Boon
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- RIVIOby Gensler
- ECLIPSEby David Rockwell
- TENSEby Bertram Beerbaum
- CONEby Osiris Hertman
- BOBBYby Eric Kuster
- NOURby Edward van Vliet
- BOSCOby Lázaro Rosa-Violán
- SQUAREby Jan des Bouvrie
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From shape study to prototype: how design becomes detail
Behind every iconic door handle lies a story — not just of aesthetics, but of intention, precision, and countless design decisions. At FORMANI, a shape is never just a shape. It begins as a gesture, a contour, a thought — and is refined through sketches, models, and prototypes until it becomes a tangible part of the architectural whole.
In this blog, we take you behind the scenes of that process. We delve into the form language of our most iconic collections and show how a single curve or line can evolve into a product that feels as natural in the hand as it looks in the space. Because in high-end design, the strength lies not only in the big picture — but in the details that bring it to life.
ONE by Piet Boon: Form, stripped back — then elevated
The ONE collection begins with a single gesture — the cylinder. From this pure geometric shape, Piet Boon has crafted a design that’s both bold and balanced. Every line, every radius, every edge is intentional, resulting in a handle that feels as refined as it looks.
The radius plays a crucial role in that refinement. It softens the form without compromising its clarity, ensuring a comfortable grip while preserving the clean geometry of the design. It’s where function and form truly meet — a subtle curve that transforms a simple volume into a tactile experience.
What appears effortless is the result of an intensive design process. From early shape explorations to functional prototypes, every detail is tested and fine-tuned — not only for visual harmony, but for the way it performs in everyday use.
Whether in its horizontal L-shape or vertical T-variant, ONE maintains its formal clarity across all applications. Finishes like PVD satin gold, satin black, and satin stainless steel further enhance the material expression, giving the design a strong yet silent presence in any space.
Minimalism here is not a style — it’s a discipline. ONE is a study in control, in precision, in letting the shape speak for itself.
INC by Piet Boon: From fluid shape to functional form
Like many FORMANI designs, the INC collection begins with a simple geometric shape: the cylinder. But it’s the transformation of this volume — through flattening and tapering — that gives INC its distinctive character. The result is a flowing incline, subtle yet powerful, from which the collection takes its name.
This angled form is not just a visual gesture; it defines the way the handle is held and experienced. The soft slope guides the hand naturally into position, blending ergonomic comfort with sculptural elegance.
Achieving this seemingly effortless result required a careful refinement of angles, proportions, and tactile experience. The precise inclination, the curvature of the transition, and the elliptical cut of the end all come together in a shape that feels intuitive and considered.
INC is a clear example of how shape becomes experience. And how every curve, edge, and angle can tell a story — once it’s held in the hand.
ARC by Piet Boon: Geometry with character
The ARC collection is a celebration of clarity and contrast. Starting from a cylindrical volume, the shape is sliced precisely in half — revealing one flat plane and one arced contour. This tension between geometry and curvature gives the design its name, and its distinctive identity.
While rooted in minimalist principles, ARC never feels clinical. The soft arc adds a visual rhythm and a tactile flow, making the handle feel both structured and intuitive. There’s a quiet boldness in the form — honest, direct, yet never static.
Behind this simplicity lies a precise execution. Every cut, edge, and surface is designed to align seamlessly with modern architectural forms. ARC integrates effortlessly into clean-lined interiors, where material honesty and spatial balance take centre stage.
From its geometric origins to its refined final form, ARC reflects the power of purposeful design — where a single cut defines both function and expression.
RIVIO by Gensler: From transition to touch
RIVIO is a study in transitions — not only in function, but in form. Designed by Gensler, the handle begins as a circular volume, then transforms through sculpted cutaways that guide the hand into place. This flowing gesture isn’t just visual — it creates a natural grip that responds intuitively to movement.
The collection explores the dialogue between geometry and fluidity — a theme that runs through many of our designs. Originally developed with two variants — one with a rounded return, the other with a clean angular connection — RIVIO was later expanded with a third version. This model features an extended curve from neck to lever, specifically designed to meet the California Building Code’s lever return requirements, while maintaining the collection’s sculptural character.
With its three distinctive forms, RIVIO adapts easily to different interiors — whether soft and organic or clean and linear. It adds a sculptural layer that unites visual elegance with everyday usability.
From shape study to prototype, RIVIO reflects the kind of design where form follows movement — and becomes part of the architecture.
ECLIPSE by David Rockwell: From celestial shape to sculpted function
ECLIPSE by David Rockwell is defined by a subtle yet striking gesture: a carved channel that cuts into a cylindrical volume, creating a distinctive eclipse-like detail at the end of the handle. This sculptural indentation softens the geometry and introduces a visual rhythm that mirrors the natural motion of the hand.
Rather than adding complexity, the groove simplifies the form — offering an intuitive point of contact while bringing fluidity to the overall shape. It’s a quiet nod to celestial movement, where form and function orbit one another in perfect balance.
To preserve this continuous flow, ECLIPSE is produced as a single piece. The carved line extends seamlessly along the length of the lever and over the bend into the neck, maintaining visual integrity without interruption.
From first concept to final prototype, ECLIPSE demonstrates how minimal intervention — when precisely executed — can elevate both aesthetic and experience.
TENSE by Bertram Beerbaum: Where contrast becomes connection
TENSE is defined by contrast — and by the harmony that arises when distinct geometries meet. Designed by Bertram Beerbaum, the collection pairs a cylindrical neck with a rectangular lever, forming a sculptural tension that gives the series its name.
This interplay of shapes is more than aesthetic. It’s made possible through a high-precision welding technique that joins these contrasting volumes with exacting clarity. The connection isn’t hidden — it’s part of the design. A deliberate intersection that becomes a defining detail.
Each handle in the series explores this formal logic in its own way, yet all remain unmistakably TENSE. The balance between mass and line, between round and straight, creates a visual rhythm that feels both grounded and architectural.
From the first sketch to the final prototype, TENSE is a study in controlled complexity — a reminder that true simplicity often comes from mastering the most precise transitions.
ELEEZ by Zaha Hadid Design: A glimpse into what’s coming
Shaped by vision, refined by precision — ELEEZ is our upcoming collaboration with Zaha Hadid Design. A collection that redefines what a door handle can be: sculptural, seamless, and deeply connected to the architecture it inhabits.
At the core of ELEEZ lies a bold approach to form. Using investment casting, each handle is produced as a single, uninterrupted volume — allowing for the complex, fluid geometries that bring the design to life. This advanced technique makes it possible to translate dynamic shapes into refined, tangible objects.
The expressive interplay of curves and transitions reflects the signature design language Zaha Hadid Design is known for — bold yet fluid, architectural yet organic. ELEEZ explores the boundary between object and space, between geometry and movement, between concept and touch.
A glimpse for now — the full story is coming soon.
From vision to touch
Every shape we create carries a purpose — not just to complete a space visually, but to enhance how it’s used and experienced. Behind each curve, cut, or connection lies a process of careful development, where design and craftsmanship come together in quiet precision.
But the true quality of a handle reveals itself in the hand. To explore that for yourself, we invite you to request a free sample through our sample program — and experience how form becomes function, up close.