From bathtubs made of lava to super-slim forms to seamless structures, new developments in the bathroom sphere are leading to a host of innovative designs. Here are seven of FRAME’s favourites.
Meda
Laufen
A complete bathroom collection for Laufen by Swiss designer Peter Wirz of Studio Vetica, Meda is said to be ‘made for life’ – a phrase that sums up its timeless, essential shapes and modularity. While geared for private residences and the premium hotel and hospitality sectors, Meda has a versatility that makes it appealing for and adaptable to any bathroom style or setup.
Dome
Pulkra
Featuring a bathtub (pictured in header image), a washbasin, a shower tray and a pouf, the wellbeing-focused Dome collection by Pio and Tito Toso draws inspiration from the historical use of concrete in architecture. Made with ACRON® cement, the washbasin features a unique blend of circular and rectangular forms and offers a smooth tactile experience.
Blade
Cristina Rubinetterie
Cristina Rubinetterie’s Blade faucet – by Alessandra Bertini of design studio Phicubo – marries aesthetics with cutting-edge engineering. As its name suggests, the lever has a sharp, precise form that resembles a thin blade – a feat made possible with advanced technology. With a Ø25 cartridge for countertop models and an aerator that limits flow to 5.62 litres per minute, Blade excels in water efficiency.
e15-Kaldewei Collection
Kaldewei
Developed and manufactured by interior label e15 for German bath manufacturer Kaldewei, designer Stefan Diez’s collection of bathroom furniture and accessories adds design-driven functionality to bathing spaces. Handcrafted solid European oak furniture – a stool, a bench, a footboard, a towel rail and a bathtub bridge – is complemented by water-repellent leather accessories such as a bag and towel loop, which can be magnetically attached to the edge of the steel enamel tub.
Cenote Lava bathtub
Agape
Patricia Urquiola worked with new materials and forms to extend Agape’s Cenote family. As its name suggests, the Cenote Lava bathtub is sculpted from volcanic rock. A complicated process resulted in the final shape – a rectangular structure with thick rounded edges. A polished interior surface provides a smooth bathing experience.
Evoluzione
Atlas Concorde Habitat
Evoluzione is a line of washbasins created in collaboration with Studio Ferriani. An advancement of Atlas Concorde Habitat’s Essenza range, the products are slimmer in size with a modernized acrylic bowl. The bowl is cut and affixed at a 45-degree angle to the porcelain top for a seamless appearance, using a technology unique to the market at an industrial scale.
Minimal M6
Neutra
Nespoli e Novara reimagines the monolithic basin for Neutra using advanced industrial techniques and bespoke craftsmanship. Minimal M6 comes in two models that emphasize the natural beauty of their materials: one crafted from Verde Antigua marble with a ribbed, textured surface created by a unique split processing technique, and the other made from Cipollino marble with a polished finish.