Bathroom Of The Future
The term "archetype" refers to a foundational design that serves as a benchmark for future innovations.
This base design is deeply ingrained in specific historical and cultural contexts, providing a rich source of inspiration for subsequent designs to draw from, adapt, or reimagine. Similar to the ever-present yet evolving nature of culture, an archetype consistently remains relevant, capable of undergoing transformations while maintaining its core essence.
It simultaneously embodies the concepts of preservation and innovation, acting as a bridge that not only safeguards traditional values but also embraces and adapts to the changing dynamics of new environments.
Thus, archetypes are more than mere reflections of history; they offer insightful glimpses into the distinct features that define the time and place of their origin, showcasing a delicate balance between the past and the present.
Drawing inspiration from the article "Le Corbusier’s 'Naked': 'Absolute Honesty' and (Exhibitionist) Display in Bathroom Settings" by Jan Jennings, this exploration delves into the essence of the "archetype" in design.
Year: 2017
Section 1: Separation for control, view of the exhibition.
Catalogue for the exhibition ‘The Architect and the Industrial Arts: An Exhibition of Contemporary American Design,’ presented by Kohler at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 1929.
Bathroom of the Crystal House, Designed by George Keck, 1934. Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians 29, no. 4 (1970): 350-353.
Concept
The "Bathroom of the Future” reimagines the bathroom 20 years from now, and adopts a strategic approach rooted in typology, directly influenced by George Kubler's seminal work The Shape of Time. Kubler's philosophy emphasizes the continuity of design characteristics as an evolutionary sequence, where each pivotal design achievement is recognized both as a distinct historical occurrence and as a successful response to a design challenge.
This perspective introduces the notion of a design sequence, characterized by a series of interconnected solutions that outline the efforts undertaken to overcome specific design challenges. Over time, these collective solutions contribute to the foundation of new design philosophies, marking a progressive trajectory in the evolution of design practices.
This investigation explores the transformative impact of modernism and the museum concept on bathroom design, leading to the emergence of 'Naked' spaces throughout the twentieth century. The designation 'Naked' refers to an architectural style where key bathroom fixtures are intentionally made visible through clear partitions, or when elements such as bathtubs are placed outside their conventional private contexts, for example, in a bedroom setting. This shift toward transparency and openness began in the 1880s and gradually evolved, highlighting the plumbing infrastructure as a celebrated feature rather than a concealed necessity.
White box archetype.
White Box as a nude spatial composition that undressed from all applied surfaces explores the bareness that remains.
Naked Bathroom
The concept of the 'Naked' bathroom is emblematic of a synthesis between historical design principles and cultural dynamics. Distinguished architects and renowned companies have significantly contributed to redefining bathroom fixtures as aesthetic statements and organizing bathroom utilities into clearly differentiated sections.
This innovative approach transformed the bathroom from a mere functional space into an artistic and elaborate environment, marking a departure from the sterile 'White Box' bathroom to the luxurious and sophisticated 'Naked' Bathroom.
Significant milestones in the narrative of bathroom design include the development of compartmentalization, which allowed for a more versatile and efficient use of space. The modernist fascination with the vitrine—a clear display case—
inspired designs that feature bathroom fixtures as centerpieces, elevating the bathroom to a museum-like space that is both showcased and refined.
The project's vision for the bathroom materializes as a minimalist vitrine, presenting a pared-down space where essential fixtures are seamlessly integrated within the architectural design. This minimalist approach underscores an acute consciousness of the human body and a tactile engagement with the environment, advocating for a design that facilitates a more explicit display. Reflecting the prevailing attitudes of an increasingly transparent society, this concept embraces the human form and the acts of personal hygiene with an unreserved comfort and openness, aligning with contemporary values of acceptance and inclusivity.
Conceptual model, Bathroom of the Future.
