Baked earth is one of the oldest building materials there is – this is such common knowledge that there's no need to cite the ancient Babylonians or – as is more oft en the case – the ancient Romans as proof. Even if we do have the latter to thank for the realisation that "baked earth" isn't just great for building with.
Where in our homes do we find relaxation? In front of the television, most people would say, and perhaps while we're cooking, and maybe ... when we're taking a bath. Or a shower. It's not unusual to lose track of time then. It doesn't matter whether you're getting ready to go to the cinema, reading the newspaper or enjoying the last quarter of an hour before bed.
We want to have it even better in our bathrooms in future. And we want the ultimate in technical convenience too. But without any complicated gimmicks, if you please, so that everyone can use it and we can all live barrierfree lives. It should be natural too, of course - and ecologically compatible. An exciting task for the industry, its designers and architects.
For the ISH 2013, the trend forum "Pop up my Bathroom" will once again be presenting the latest bathroom trends, this time for 2013/14. The trend platform takes a look at both the needs bathroom users are already practising and those that are still unmet and uses them as the basis for developing different types of bathrooms that are intended to meet users' future requirements.
The modern bathroom is the embodiment of retreat into a world of one's own, far removed from everyday life. In future, as the core area of a private home that is increasingly becoming the focal point of life, the bathroom will gain even more significance – as an isolated bubble within a permeable living cocoon.
One reason why nature is such an attractive theme for the retreat embodied by the Bathroom Bubble is of course that our modern lifestyle has become so far removed from it. Unspoiled nature is the counterpoint to our reality, which is dominated by an urban feel and the ubiquitous presence of other people, noise and architecture. In the Bathroom Bubble we seek solitude, tranquillity and often also natural, authentic-looking surroundings.
We want to have it even better in our bathrooms in future. And we want the ultimate in technical convenience too. But without any complicated gimmicks, if you please, so that everyone can use it and we can all live barrier-free lives. It should be natural too, of course - and ecologically compatible. An exciting task for the industry, its designers and architects.
For some time now, the merging of the bathroom and bedroom to form a wellness zone has been the subject of much discussion. But is integrating bathing and showering pleasure into the sleeping area really a realistic concept? According to the interior architects of Livinghouse, it is – provided it is based on careful planning. Besides delivering the proof, the concept they have developed for a fully integrated “bedroom-bathroom” also aims to bring the comfort and luxury of a 5-star hotel into the home.
On the invitation of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Austrian design firm EOOS, together with the Eawag aquatic research institute of ETH Zurich, present a revolutionary new sanitation concept: the “diversion toilet”. In the competition the project was awarded with a Special recognition and $40,000 for their outstanding design of a toilet user interface.
Whether it's news, traffic, appointments, emails, weather or even your blood pressure: With the "b in touch" app, you can keep an eye on everything while shaving or putting on your makeup. It only takes one touch, and your mobile companion puts the news, weather and sports right onto your bathroom mirror.