ZEN-AIR (2022)

This was a paired project where we collaborated with manufacturing bathroom company ‘KOHLER’. A company that creates well designed and crafted products that are modern, dynamic and innovative. They have given us the brief to design and envision what a bathroom of the future might look like. It must be sustainable and innovative to change the game of how we see bathrooms today.

‘Zen-Air’ is a unit of functionality for public bathrooms, that expresses Japanese culture and elements of Kohler’s design ethos throughout its design. Taking the concept of a Zen Garden, we’ve taken the key principles of what makes it Zen. It brings all the washing essentials to the user (Soap, Tap, Dryer), so they don’t have to manoeuvre around as much but stay in one place; a big help for those with disabilities.

The gold cracks around the design is called ‘Kintsugi’, a traditional Japanese method of putting together broken pieces of pottery with gold, symbolising how we should embrace imperfections and inner flaws. Turning broken things into beautiful objects which was such a beautiful concept that we just had to involve. We thought this would be a nice connection to emphasise with the user and characterise Zen-Air. 

A glass panel is placed on the front to add a second value of turning the excess water from the tap, into a water feature. Turning it into an art form to appreciate this natural element that surrounds us.

This idea of reusing water as a form of beauty, brought life to Zen-Air. To further elaborate this simple yet effective function, there are LED strips on the inside to help illuminate and enhance the form of this natural resource. Our design depicts a future where public bathrooms are meant to be a place of tranquillity where you can wash your hands effortlessly, without having to create a mess.