Christian Werner about Vitrium: Design concept and inspirations

Mr. Werner, what was your guiding design concept while developing the Vitrium bathroom collection?

With Vitrium I wanted to design a bathroom series that helps us indulge in the rituals and mindfulness that we associate with the bathroom. The (subtly backlit) glass fronts act as a stage for the objects within – just like a display cabinet. We designed the series with delicate frames that enclose the furniture fronts to create a special sense of quality. The washbasins, which were specially designed for the series, underline the consistent contemporary-yet-timeless design language – whether as round above-counter basins or as integrated c-bonded basins. The round above-counter basins on the straight-lined furniture create a calm yet also dissonant symbiosis – a harmonious geometric effect that helps us indulge in our rituals in the bathroom.

When you look at the range in its entirety, what is the stand-out feature of Vitrium for you personally and how would you describe the style of your series?

For me that would be the fronts that let you see inside of the cabinets and inspire a state of contemplation and mindfulness in the bathroom. And second, it’s the robust design, which is especially important in the bathroom. That’s why I deliberately steered clear of short-lived and trendy forms to create a high-quality bathroom series with an aesthetic that will stand the test of time.

In your opinion, what sets the series apart from other bathroom series?

The attractive, delicate frame creates a unique accent – especially in combination with the glass infill panels. Vitrium’s extraordinary impact results from the composition of the shapes and materials - a harmonious whole with its own aesthetic. The materials – glass, metal, wood, and the mineral material DuroCast UltraResist – merge to create a picture rich in urban and architectural associations.

What space for added value is there in the bathroom collection and what opportunities are there for bathroom design?

Various things can be selected individually: round or rectangular washbasin, furniture with the more classical wood-look fronts or a tinted glass front, so that attractive accessories can be put on display. The vanity units are like small (optionally even back-lit) showcases for attractive bathroom utensils, cosmetics, collectibles, etc. – a totally new approach.

The round, overhanging above-counter basins offer many practical benefits in terms of the use of space, especially in small bathrooms. The vanity unit can be supplied in a significantly narrower design but still with a sufficiently large washbasin. Additionally, this creates a nice rhythm as the overhang emphasizes the interplay of the round and rectangular shapes. It’s not only practical, it also looks really cool.

How did you come up with the idea of the “overlapping” round above-counter basin?

As a designer I observe my surroundings very closely. You need to be able to question things that seem self-evident. For example, I noticed that the usual rectangular washbasins literally “stick out” quite a bit, especially in smaller bathrooms. However, the solution only really emerged at the drawing stage. What looked really attractive at first from a graphical perspective, the overlap of the circle (the washbasin) with a rectangle (the console), immediately turned out to be extraordinarily beneficial in actual use. You can give the round washbasin a wider diameter and the vanity unit or console below can be made narrower, so it can fit unobtrusively even in small bathrooms. The plinth on which the round washbasin sits almost gives the impression of it floating above the furniture.

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