Room for thought

Lauren Hills , March 4th, 2009

Design masters like Norman Foster and Philippe Starck have kept Duravit at the peak of bathroom design. Lauren Hills talks to Franz Kook, CEO of Duravit, to explore the architecture of bathrooms.

“Is it design, or is it architecture”, people asked when they saw the bathroom series by Norman Foster.

So faultless in its functionality that the combination of ceramics and metal finishing was not commonplace, but was rather, extraordinary. Foster’s design was inspired by the humble archetype of two cupped hands scooping water; two adjacent circles define the geometry of the whole range.

Duravit has embraced their ‘living bathroom’ philosophy since it began creating sanitary ware in 1842, creating bathroom products that are driven, not only by function and quality, but by design. With bathrooms emerging as an important living space for relaxation and revitalisation, a well designed bathroom is a valuable asset, and often a showpiece within a development.

Duravit is one of the first sanitary ware companies to collaborate with architects. Can you tell me about these collaborations?

Kook: We first collaborated with Philippe Starck 15 years ago, however the collaboration started before that as it always takes about two years to fully develop a product. We started first with the design of Starck 1, then Starck 2 and 3. From there we moved to Starck X, which was more expensive and of even higher quality.

With Norman Foster we have one series, which we extended last year. Foster had an idea for a washbasin that he wanted to implement in one of his own projects, so we collaborated with him to create the design, and as it was so well received we made it available to the public. When Norman Foster sketches his architectural concept for his customers he also draws the bathroom; and his clients will often follow his design ideas.

 Is it important for architects to consider fittings in a bathroom before they design a space?

Kook: While the interior designer is predominantly involved when the bathroom space is discussed, the design of a bathroom should be considered at the architectural stage too.

In great buildings, the bathroom design is not accidental; architects are in collaboration with interior designers and clients will think about the best possible solution for the bathroom.



What should architects keep in mind when designing a bathroom?

Kook: Looking at commercial projects like hotels, for example, the design of a bathroom is a key factor that customers are looking for. The bathroom can enhance the style and architecture of a building; people pay far more attention to good bathroom design than they did 20 years ago.

 What value does good bathroom design add to the end user?

Kook: I think that people might have lost money through speculation over the last year, so they are thinking about what is truly valuable; thinking about what can enhance their lives. We are convinced that the bathroom plays an important role in a person’s lifestyle. It is more than just a cleaning room; it is not only for taking a shower, it is a room for relaxation and enjoying your personal space.

 It is the last room before you go to the bedroom and the first room you enter when you start your day; it is a very important space.

 Do you think that architects and developers consider the bathroom as an important space?

Kook: I do think that they recognise that the bathroom is an important living space, but often they might be restricted because of a client’s budget or the space constraints. But architects are most definitely concerned with designing a good shape for the bathroom, giving enough space for a shower and bath, a nice wash basin area with a mirror and cabinet. However, there can be limitations; if an apartment is only 100 metres2 you have to be clever with how you utilise the space.

 Do architects communicate with Duravit with regards to their bathroom design intent?

Kook: Yes, if you look at our guest list for the Duravit Design Days, we have many architects from all over the world coming to view our latest products and to discuss the latest trends. For Duravit Design Days 2009 I have spoken with architects from Scandinavia, Tunisia, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, the UK and Belgium.

Architects are interested in collaboration and they profit from the discussions as they can see what designs are available and how they can be installed in there own projects. Duravit has had great success working with different architects who will specify products for their projects, or even develop their own range as Norman Foster and Philippe Starck did.

 How has bathroom design changed in the last 20 years?

Kook: Bathroom design is more liberal today; you cannot say that there is just one trend out there as there are many ideas and products available for different settings. When I started working in this profession it was not usual to have a series of sanitary ware; we would design individual units and the customers would combine the elements themselves.

What we have developed is a range of different design styles to complement any development; a series gives the developers one design language. For example our new PuraVida range is curved and feminine, and before this Duravit has developed many strong, rectangular minimalist shapes; for example, our rectangular design of Vero still is very successful. The designs of Starck 1, 2 and 3 moved away from the rectangular shapes.

 In the competitive market what do you think your company offers to architects and developers?

Kook: Our strength at Duravit, which appeals to architects, is that we are not just selling bathrooms, we are selling design. The architect or interior designer wants to have a good bathroom that will enhance the design, but often they don’t have a deep knowledge of the bathroom. We have so many different series and different options that the architect can specify something that will complement a project.

Every design series has its own philosophy and personality, so you can create a certain identity and theme in line with what an architect desires. We have strong competition, but we have an advantage because of our ‘designed’ concepts and the fact that we can offer full solutions for bathroom - ceramics, bathtubs and fittings - so we can give one design language to a developer.

 What do you see as the future of bathroom design?

Kook: The bathroom, as an increasingly important living space, will move towards greater use of technology. Electronics, light and sound, electronic pictures and cleaning systems will advance the bathrooms. The technological advancement will need to be incorporated into the design; the bathroom needs to look good and function well.



 Is water conservation an important element of bathroom design?

Kook: Yes. Especially in the Middle East, where water is expensive and it goes through a long process to get clean. On the other hand, people are willing to invest in water when it helps to revitalise the body. You mustn’t use water when it is unnecessary, but with a water-saving shower you can use less water and still feel refreshed.

 Duravit products have been specified for the Burj Dubai, can you tell me more about this?

Kook: The architects have specified products from the Starck 1 series predominantly, with a special focus on  the so called “barrel”,  a vanity unit designed for Duravit by Philippe Starck. We have delivered more than 1,000 barrels to Dubai, as well as almost 4,000 WCs and bidets and more than 1,600 baths and whirlpools.

 How has collaboration with architects benefited Duravit?

Kook: We profit from the contact with architects; we discuss their needs. Some products are developed after a specific requirement from an architect. When you talk about bowls, that is the wash basins and the plate, and they can be cylindrical or conic and we have several forms. These designs first came about with of the architecture for hotels, as it suited the structure, and we developed them accordingly for other projects.

Architects might want to have a different approach to the bathroom design of their project, and we try to listen and come up with the best possible solution; it is a win-win situation because we are pushed to create innovative designs and the end product is something that complements the architecture.

Duravit was one of the first bathroom companies to collaborate with designers; We have collaborated with Sieger Design, Norman Foster, Philippe Starck, Phoenix Design, Michael Graves, Massimo Iosa Ghini, James Irvine, Frank Huster, Jochen Schmiddem, EOOS, Andreas Struppler and Herbert Schultes. We profit greatly from this collaboration. Absolutely!