For decades, the bathroom was seen as something of the “poor relative” in architecture and interior design — a functional space, hidden from the creative spotlight, where pragmatism outweighed aesthetics. Today, that paradigm is changing. The bathroom has become a natural extension of a home’s decorative language, a refuge of comfort and sophistication where design also has a voice. OLI, a Portuguese brand with more than 70 years of history, stands out in the sanitary systems sector, striving to combine aesthetics, luxury, innovation, and functionality.

More than utilitarian items, the brand's products are now designed to integrate into any architectural style — from contemporary minimalism to classic sophistication, as António Ricardo Oliveira, OLI’s director, explains in an interview with idealista/news.

The focus on designer-led products is one of the company's defining traits. OLI has collaborated with key figures in Portuguese architecture, such as Álvaro Siza Vieira and Eduardo Souto de Moura. “OLI always seeks, through partnerships with architects and designers, to create solutions that transform people's everyday lives, turning bathrooms into places of efficiency, art, and beauty that inspire and elevate daily living,” explains the executive of the Portuguese company, which began as a family business and now has a global presence, earning numerous international awards.

“We believe that this joint effort, based on research, knowledge, and technology, will allow the brand to continue anticipating trends and leading the bathroom segment, including in the luxury market,” he adds.

Innovating without compromising design continues to be one of OLI’s major goals. Their solutions cater to the demands of the premium market, with products suited for diverse contexts such as hotels in the Middle East, hospitals in Europe, or river cruise ships in South America.

OLI has more than 70 years of history and a global presence. How would you describe the brand’s evolution into an international benchmark in bathroom innovation and design?

With 71 years of history, OLI is now an international reference in bathroom solutions, recognized for its ability to innovate in terms of both efficiency and design, offering solutions and products with added value. The company, founded by my grandfather, started as a small family business and evolved into a global brand through the work of my father and uncle. Today, the company is present in more than 80 countries across five continents and is now in its third generation of management.

We believe that continuous innovation, combined with the modernization of manufacturing processes, has enabled the company to create pioneering products.

OLI is no longer just a manufacturer of efficient cisterns. It is a brand that offers the best integrated solutions for the bathroom space, from cisterns and float valves to control plates, shower bases, taps, and more recently, sanitary ware (toilets and countertop basins). We believe that continuous innovation and modern production have allowed the company to create pioneering products and register multiple patents, making it a global reference in the sector.

Today, OLI is a global brand, but it still keeps its production based in Portugal, reinforcing its role as an ambassador of Portuguese engineering and design.

At the same time, the brand assumes strong environmental responsibility. Its products are designed to promote water and energy efficiency, contributing to more sustainable buildings. OLI’s commitment to the planet is visible in both its products and its manufacturing processes.

With its eyes on the future, the company continues to invest in research and development, seeking to anticipate market needs and respond to environmental and social challenges with intelligent solutions.

In a technical sector like sanitary systems, design is not always valued. What motivated OLI to invest in signature design and partnerships with figures such as Álvaro Siza Vieira and Eduardo Souto de Moura?

In recent years, OLI has strengthened its brand positioning by standing out not only for its efficiency and functionality but also for its design, thanks to collaborations with internationally renowned architects and designers like Álvaro Siza and Souto de Moura. Some of the most prestigious awards we’ve received — such as the Red Dot Design Award and the Good Design Award — came from these collaborations. The recognition that these architects saw in our brand, combined with their ability to innovate and contribute to unique design objects, was the main motivation — and it continues to bear fruit both in Portugal and internationally.

What is the creative and development process like for an OLI piece signed by a renowned architect or designer? What do you look for in these collaborations?

As a brand that combines innovation, technology, sustainability, and design, OLI always seeks to create solutions through its partnerships with architects and designers that transform people's daily lives — turning bathrooms into places of efficiency, art, and beauty that inspire and elevate everyday living.

Sustainability is an increasingly important requirement. How does OLI combine water efficiency with the aesthetic sophistication of its products?

For OLI, the main challenge lies in environmental sustainability — seeking to include bio-based materials and technologies and reduce the environmental impact of industrial activity and the logistics chain. In addition to the commitment to launching more efficient and functional products, the brand has also invested in design as a key differentiating factor. This focus has been recognized by the market, whether through awards or by the inclusion of our products in landmark buildings such as museums, hotels, and headquarters of multinational companies.

Many of your systems offer “invisible comfort,” such as the silent filling of cisterns. What other solutions have you developed that enhance the user experience without compromising design?

First and foremost, our cisterns and flush plates. I would highlight the OLI 70 Plus and ECO.OPALA — the first cisterns, both in-wall and external, produced using recycled and regenerated raw materials; the OLI74 Plus 4/2 liters, which, combined with Plus technology, can save over nine liters of water per day in a family home; the OLI80 Salt Water, which is capable of operating with salt water; and the OLI74, which can integrate two inlet valves, allowing for more than one water source beyond the mains.

For the control plates, we offer a wide range of activation types, shapes, and finishes that can please any taste. We have also invested in integrating technology that allows users to access information and controls that more conventional products cannot provide.

Your presence in luxury hotels in the Middle East, hospitals in Europe, and riverboats in South America shows great versatility. How do you adapt your design and innovation to such different contexts?

The integration of OLI products in different geographies and market segments is primarily due to our high production quality standards, customization capabilities, and international certifications. These certifications meet the regulatory requirements of various markets and are crucial to gaining customer trust.

Looking ahead, what trends do you see emerging in luxury bathrooms, and how is OLI positioning itself to continue leading in this segment?

Every day, OLI’s Research and Development Center — which includes more than twenty specialized engineers and technicians — develops innovative products focused on sustainability, functionality, and design, in collaboration with universities and research institutions. We believe that this joint work, based on research, knowledge, and technology, will allow the brand to continue anticipating trends, leading the luxury bathroom segment, and even influencing the sector’s vision and actions toward constructing more sustainable buildings.