July 30: The bathroom is one of the few places that we have all to ourselves. This is where the day begins and where it draws to a close. The way we experience this space is determined to a large extent by the surroundings in which we find ourselves. Shapes, light, materials and colors subtly determine whether an atmosphere arises which is perceived as being calm, clear or instilling a sense of composure.
Even minor rituals acquire a different significance: A moment under warm water or an established routine to start the day feel different when the bathroom's design creates an appealing environment in which you enjoy every minute.
Forms & materials
Gentle radii, clear lines and the well-coordinated use of materials and colors contribute to a coherent overall impression. Many current bathroom ranges take up these principles, with organic contours, matt textures and warm tonalities defining the character of the design. Designers such as Philippe Starck, Christian Werner or Sebastian Herkner deliberately apply a restrained design idiom here which appears well balanced and precise.
Light & color
Light influences how we perceive a room. Even illumination - in the washing area, for example - provides guidance, while indirect light conjures up a subdued, calm atmosphere.
Colors reinforce this impression: Warm beige and wood tones impart a sense of calm; green shades have a serene effect. Light shades make rooms appear more spacious and open. Darker items of furniture or colored backgrounds provide focal points which lend the room a more harmonious, stable appearance.
The bathroom in everyday life
The bathroom is both a calm retreat and also the scene of daily use and recurring procedures.
The extent to which design influences the way the room is perceived becomes particularly apparent in this context: When areas are clearly structured and items are arranged in a perfectly orderly fashion, this gives rise to a feeling of calm and dependability for the user. Particularly in the washing area, as a scene of ever recurring procedures, this order provides for a calm environment that supports everyday routines without any fuss.
A new approach to bathroom design
Clear forms, well-balanced proportions and a harmonious overall impression are increasingly coming to the fore in bathroom design. Rooms are being conceived with the aim of combining clear orientation with a pleasant atmosphere. Various bathroom ranges from Duravit show how design and use can be reconciled to create coherent solutions - for bathrooms which are visually compelling while at the same time exuding calm and harmony.
Founded in 1817 in Hornberg in the Black Forest, Duravit is today a leading international manufacturer of designer bathrooms and is active in more than 130 countries worldwide. During product development, the complete bathroom supplier’s internal-design team worked hand in hand with a global network of designers such as Cecilie Manz, Philippe Starck, Antonio Citterio, Christian Werner, Sebastian Herkner and Patricia Urquiola. As an energy-intensive company, Duravit is aiming to be entirely climate-neutral by 2045 and avoid CO2 offsetting as far as possible.
Captions:
Zencha by Sebastian Herkner
Organic form, clear structure: The Zencha washing area by Sebastian Herkner combines the finely curved above-counter washbasin with a large shelf for a neat and tidy look.
Aurena by Antonio Citterio
Attractive materiality and structure: Aurena by Antonio Citterio feature an above-counter basin, a ceramic console and matt furniture surfaces. Integrated details such as towel rails at the side fit in seamlessly and help to keep the washing area tidy in everyday use.
Vitrium range by Christian Werner
Light and transparency: Back-lit glass fronts add well placed light effects on the furniture of the Vitrium range by Christian Werner. They create depth, while the white, round basin and light-colored surfaces ensure the right balance in the room.
White Tulip by Philippe Starck
Bathroom with the look & feel of a living area: White Tulip by Philippe Starck combines light-colored fronts with striking chrome handles for a gently structured washing area. The warm setting featuring wood and decorative objects lends the room an appealing, homely atmosphere.
Vitrium range by Christian Werner
Elegance meets restraint. In this c-bonded washing area from the Vitrium range by Christian Werner, the washbasin is seamlessly integrated into the furniture item. Warm colors and back-lit details enhance the elegant overall effect.
L-Cube washing area by Christian Werner
Retreat with a view: The L-Cube washing area by Christian Werner combines clear lines with a dark materiality. The mirror and the outside view open up the room and create depth – a place that exudes a sense of calm and is focused on making you feel at one with the world.
