The Focus
While Indian bathrooms evolved into luxury spaces with smart technology and premium aesthetics over the last decade, water heaters remained utilitarian eyesores that detracted from contemporary bathroom design.
Existing water heaters offered neither the intelligent features modern homes demanded (like precise temperature control and water quality management) nor the design sophistication to complement high-end bathroom fixtures.
Symphony®, having revolutionized the air cooler segment globally, wished to develop the water heater category that would transform from a mere functional necessity into a sophisticated bathroom centerpiece with smart capabilities.
The Design
We developed a three-component system (Heater, Puropod™, Controller) that elevated the water heater from a basic utility to a smart appliance, with each component addressing specific user pain points while maintaining visual cohesion.
The Puropod™'s 9-layer filtration system tackled the widespread issue of hard water damage to skin and hair, while its easy-replacement design solved the maintenance challenges that plague traditional water heaters.
A gesture-based wireless controller with multiple presets streamlined temperature management. The circular design with an ambient blue glow transforms it into a present-day design element, which contemporizes the otherwise-archaic heater for today’s Indian bathrooms.
The Story
For over 25 years, Elephant has proudly partnered with Symphony®, playing a key role in shaping their flagship products. When they approached our product design team about entering the new category of water heaters, we were excited to come together and explore solutions that aligned with their business goals.
While Symphony® had a vision rooted in their brand spirit of innovation — like their contemporary plastic air coolers in the 90s, which transformed the market — they trusted us to provide insights that would spark creativity. Our collaborative efforts led to groundbreaking innovations, resulting in a highly differentiated product that aims to redefine the water heater market.
Insights
Our initial workshop with Symphony® & deep dive into usage patterns revealed critical pain points: poor water quality leading to skin and hair problems, lack of precise temperature control, and dated aesthetics that clashed with contemporary bathroom designs. We identified an opportunity to create a smart water heater that could complement modern bathroom aesthetics while addressing these functional challenges.
The Innovation Trifecta
With material innovations like the Dune helmet (where we used the patented Reverse Infienergy foam for added safety) and our success in design for manufacturing via optimized, differentiated products for Symphony® many times over, our PD division was exceptionally suited for the task.
Our design solution was both comprehensive and innovative. The heater featured a Titanium Pro-Superior Glass Line Coated Tank for durability and an Incoloy Glass-Coated Heating Element for a longer lifespan, setting a new industry standard.
The "Smart-Bath Technology," encapsulated in the wireless controller, was designed to be mounted on the wall and was gesture-based. It included various presets, such as a child mode to prevent burns and an eco-mode for energy efficiency. The controller also featured an indicator for the cartridge, ensuring users were always aware of maintenance needs.
The "Puropod™," an extruded cartridge that could easily be replaced, featured a 9-layer filtration system that purified water, reducing the effects of hard water and enhancing skin and hair health. Naturally, this innovation sets a whole new benchmark for what we expect our water heaters to do, and for the better.
Soft on the Skin – and the Eyes
The Symphony® Spa™ was designed to be as visually appealing as it was functional. The circular shape of the heater, combined with the soft blue glow, created a sleek and modern look aligned with contemporary technological design trends. The modular design allowed it to blend seamlessly into any bathroom decor, while the floating effect added a sense of lightness and sophistication.
The Symphony® Spa™'s launch marked a turning point in the water heater industry. Its debut at expos and conventions received overwhelmingly positive feedback, with industry experts and consumers recognizing it as a new benchmark in the water heater category. By leveraging Symphony®'s reputation for innovation and our insights-led experience & expertise, we created more than just a water heater – we developed a smart bathroom appliance that enhances the modern bathroom experience, perfectly answering the needs of smart contemporary living.