ISH 2023 Innovation Preview: DURAVIT
Brand story by Markus Hieke
Hornberg, Germany
02.03.23
Ever heard of an infinity bathtub? Bento in the bathroom, anyone? Designer Philippe Starck has created a fascinating bathroom series for Duravit derived from the Japanese snack box. Immerse yourself in part four of our ISH preview of new products!
The bathroom is becoming ever cosier, with boundaries also blurring between it and the bedroom or even sometimes the living room. The bathtub next to the bed? No longer an absurd idea. But is it now also entering into some kind of dialogue with the kitchen, too? The name of a new collection from DURAVIT may make it sound so, but fortunately, this time, it's not!
Fascinating aesthetics, designed for endless pleasures – no matter in which room it is placed
The Bento Starck Box series is indeed named after the popular Japanese lunch box, but because of its shape rather than any suggestion that users are also supposed to eat from it. Inspired by the Bento model, the designer of the series, Philippe Starck, divides the washbasin into practical storage compartments around the actual washbasin with the help of filigree partitions. And what a clever trick it is. Because the resulting storage principle is an absolute innovation in the bathroom. Separate wet and dry areas are created in which, for example, care products and accessories can be stored directly at the washbasin – organised, dry and close to hand.
Consequently, Starck also moves the tap, positioned slightly higher on a pedestal, from the edge of the washbasin into the middle of the inner basin in all available versions, so that no unwanted puddles arise as soon as the user operates the tap with wet hands.
In keeping with this, and because bento boxes are always filled to the brim with healthy snacks, the designer has also created an infinity bathtub. That's right: infinity, like the pool. With its depth and sufficient space for two people, it too is a novelty: let the water flow in confidently right up to the top edge, while the safe overflow is concealed in a circumferential storage groove. Fascinating aesthetics, designed for endless pleasures – no matter in which room it is placed.
DURAVIT can be found in Hall 3.1, Stand B99 at ISH in Frankfurt from 13 to 17 March.
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