Concept
The goal has been creating a better relationship between the bedroom and the en-suite, bringing more light in the bed area and allowing a certain degree of flexibility of the space especially in regard of privacy, practicality, need of isolate the WC closet.
The model to aim at is more close to a contemporary boutique-hotel room than a bedroom in a residential unit. This is consistent with the use of the flat, occupied for short period of time, sometime having guests.
With this in mind, the placement of the bathtub in the bedroom is a positive factor as it recalls relax and pleasure, and it is both a modern and traditional feature (see Le Corbusier's Ville Savoy at Poissy, 1931). On the contrary, both the shower and the sink (without mentioning the wc), are fittings too "sanitary" to be fit for a bedroom.
As shown in the layout below, the shower is hidden in the current storage space (moving the cylinders - or just one of the cylinder if two are not necessary anymore) with the benefit of the existing porthole. The access to the shower niche is from the wet area with the bathtub placed underneath the rounded skylight.
Although keeping continuity of the space, there are now three distinct areas: the bedroom, the wet area (Shower, bath, bench), the toilette (with basin and WC).
Ville Savoy at Poissy, 1931 - Le Corbusier's sketch.
Privacy and Flexibility
Solid panels and switchable smart film
It is necessary allowing a certain degree of flexibility to meet different needs:
- All the space can be kept fully open when used by a single occupant.
- Isolating the toilette from the bedroom (noise, smell) in case of two occupants.
- Hiding the bedroom to occasional external guests using the toilette.
- Preserving the privacy (even from external overlooking) when using the bathtub.
- Allowing the full use of the bathroom (wet area + toilette) in case of two occupants one of whom asleep in the bed.
- Screening the natural light coming from the big window to the right hand side and the skylight for sleeping undisturbed in the bedroom.
A three-panes solid folding door addresses points (5) and (6).
A glass screen with a switchable smart film addresses point (4). (Switchable smart film is operated by a simple electrical switch to control the opacity of the switchable film, turning it from clear to translucent).
The combination of the glass screen and a pocket solid door addresses points (2).
A second pocket door towards the main open space allows the separate use of the toilette addressing point (3).
The section below (Explore 360) gives an idea of the perception of the space standing next to the bathtub. Please note that the dots in certain areas of the image are notes which can be activated clicking on them with additional information.
Switchable film, turning it from clear to translucent.
Comfort: Colour and Material
Contemporary and warm
Finding a good balance of materials and colours can be challenging in a hybrid space where the idea of comfort can change depending on the users and the use of the space. The strategy consists of playing with contrasts (cold/warm, neutral/colourful, natural/artificial, hard/soft, heavy/light).
The main feature is the bathtub which is semi-transparent, orange-like coloured, underneath the round skylight that is like a spotlight illuminating the bathtub as a sculpture. To emphasise the effect, the bathtub is put on a raised step (a sort of podium). The bathtub plays the role of the accent of colour (warm, colourful, artificial, light).
To enhance the role of accent of the bathtub, the wet area (bathtub podium, shower, curved wall) is concrete-effect (cold, neutral, artificial, hard, heavy). The effect is achieved with 100% waterproof paint on the vertical surfaces and porcelain tiles to the floor (see example form Mandarin Stone >>).
To balance the concrete-effect, it is increased the use of wood (warm, neutral, natural, soft, light) in lieu of the perforated metal screens towards the open space, to add some fitted piece of furniture for the bed, a desk, a bench.
The REFLEX CRISTALMOOD BATHTUB AMBRA, by Antonio Lupi, is the accent of colour.
The Alcove
Traditionally, a 4-poster bed (or canopy bed) created a more intimate space within a larger room. The drapery around it, was not there just for privacy reasons or for controlling the light, but also to keep the warm in a age where there were not heating systems other than a stove.
Inspired by the tradition, this project gave me the opportunity of designing "Alcova#3" to achieve the same sense of intimacy of a canopy bed, but with a contemporary accent,
The alcove is open on two sides to keep the sense of openness and continuity of the space.
The bottom deck is raised from the actual floor so the mattress can sit directly on it, giving a sense of informality to the bed it-self.
The panel to the front is detached from the bed to allow the passage from one side to the other and it can be used to hold a TV screen. Behind this panel, it is possible to have some hangers as shown in the layout above. The panel to the back and at the top complete the "box".
The Alcove is made of laser-cut plywood panels, gently wave-shaped to mimic soft drapery (see some example here >>) and detached to enhance the sense of lightness and semi-transparency.
The same technique is used to create a desk next to the bed space and the bench next to the bathtub.
