Bathroom

There are many rooms that are worthy of being on the cutting-room-floor of architectural orthodoxy: the formal dining room, the foyer and some might even argue the bedroom. But the bathroom? The Lloyd Hotel of Amsterdam seems to think so. Some of their room’s bath, um, “zones” break down those fascist, water-repellant borders separating sleep and suds.

Granted, the Lloyd is a hotel, a place where the penalties of failed experiments in architecture are negligible (or easy to endure for a few days). Also, there is a modicum of privacy with some of the designs such as the pivoting bathroom divider, whose door separates the shower from the rest of the room. Others, like the open plan bathroom (pictured at top) leave nothing to the imagination, and it would seem to have the spray protection of a front row seat at a Gallagher show (squeegees are included with the room).

It also should be noted that the Lloyd is a haven of unconventional temporary accommodation. With some rooms featuring things like side-by-side queen beds (ready for your Eyes Wide Shut parties), it should be no surprise that your room might have a shower in the middle of the room.

Via Slate

The Japanese have a knack for lending high-end design and materials to spaces Americans typically associate with dorm-rooms and halfway houses. Case in point is the Subaco Sanitary Unit from the Spiritual Mode corporation (we’re confident “spiritual mode” and particularly “sanitary unit” sound more elegant in Japanese). Subaco is an all-in-one bathtub, toilet, wash basin, kitchen, laundry and loft–all of which occupy a whopping 6 x 6 ft (2 x 2m) footprint.

It looks like they have at least a couple varieties: the peekaboo model with glass walls for the WC (don’t throw stones–or anything else–whilst using it) and a model with solid walls. We can see all the bathroom fixtures and induction cooktop, which because of its flat surface and cool-to-touch surface, doubles as a countertop. There even appears to be a fan for the cooktops. We’re curious to see what kind of laundry machine is used.

Presumably, these modular units can be plugged into any space; they look like they’re destined for the wan rūmu manshons we covered a while back.

Most small American apartments employ the Afterthought School of bathroom and kitchen design–knees often knock into tubs and doors while on the can; fridge doors refuse to open in the kitchen; prep space is a joke.

We wonder if Americans were given such sleek and elegant designs in their small-space living options, whether they might be more inclined to scale back on their living spaces?

Image credit: Spiritual Mode

Via Treehugger

Tag: Bathroom

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