I most admire inventions that are perfectly functional yet elegant. A perfect example of such an invention is the new combination sink/toilet from Australia, the Profile Smart from Caroma. The simple yet ingenious design solves a couple of problems delightfully.

First, it addresses the squandering of potable water that bedevils so many communities, by gathering the gray water from the sink portion to use a second time, for flushing waste. For those of us who don't want to go to the trouble and expense of setting up a full gray water reclamation system in our homes, this unit provides a nice baby step in that direction. It also incorporates Smartflush technology to minimize water usage.

Secondly, it is a perfect unit for confined spaces such as second bathrooms added to existing homes, or for use in the trendy new microhomes. With this unit and a foot of knee space, a restroom can be fit into a space the size of a closet.

Sadly, the unit won't be available until 2009 in the U.S. I expect it, or clones of it, to be widely adopted. I'd like to have one, even though I have plenty of space for a more commodious unit.

Thanks to Popular Mechanics