For the sixth annual AZ Awards, our intrepid jury narrowed the field from over 800 submissions, received from dozens of countries, to select just 48 finalists that stood above the rest. In addition to presenting the AZ Award winners, Azure recognized these projects, products and concepts with Awards of Merit.

The slip-thin bathroom sinks seem finely sliced from polished ceramic slabs, with the smooth, elongated shape of a well-used bar of soap. But their delicacy is deceiving: Toan Nguyen Studio’s latest collaboration with Laufen utilizes the Swiss manufacturer’s SaphirKeramik, a super-strong material that enables fixtures to be made with slender profiles, without sacrificing their robustness. The washstand, with optional recessed shelf, has a rim radius of just two millimetres, which frees up space for the generous basin to hold more water. The series includes a walnut veneer vanity and a tub with integrated headrest.

Studio: Toan Nguyen Studio, Italy

Designers: Toan Nguyen, with Philipp Leibundgut, Alain Reymond and Marc Viardot

Manufacturer: Laufen, Switzerland