ISH report – Bathroom design or sensing interior concepts

By German designer and guest blooger for Modenus Germany Torsten Müller

“Please rethink” – there is happening a lot in terms of bathroom design.
We have seen the best highlights at this year’s ISH 2013 in Frankfurt.

The bathroom has developed from a simple, functional space to a personal spa and luxury center in the home to accommodate today’s lifestyles. Whether it is a free-standing bathtub or open air shower experience, anything that can help increas the well-being in your private home has been on display.

photo: Zucchetti.Kos product: Outdoor Minipool

The times when we went to the bath house for simple cleaning are long gone. The private home spa is in demand today and almost everyone who can afford it is looking for ways to integrate more luxurious options.

Not all manufacturers reflect the emotional Italian design,  but there is definitely a development and a movement towards good design and wellness in the European market.

photo: GroheSpa product: GROHE F-digital Deluxe

We saw a wide range of ideas to serve our needs for relaxation and revitalization, vividly presented in this video of GroheSpa

To relax, we listen to the sounds of nature or we play our favorite music from the iPod, which is simply plugged into a mirror.  A mixture of fragrances from refreshing lemon and lavender  for a vital start into the day, or rather a honey and chocolate cinnamon scent, inviting the senses to relax. It’s all possible as nozzles spray perfume to dazzle the senses. The options are limitless.

photo: Zucchetti.Kos product: SAVOY – design Matteo Thun e Antonio Rodriguez

Lighting no longer only illuminates the room, through chromatherapy features,  bathtub and shower are a colorful experience in their own right. Via digital control, colors such as  lemon chrome, blackberry red, green blue or purple violet are easily selected. Only one button to touch  and the color experience starts. Soulful moods like candlelight or relaxation for two in deep magenta were presented at  the international trade fair in Frankfurt.

photo: GroheSpa product: GROHE F-digital Deluxe

The now popular modern bathroom is stunning – no question, but there is still a need for more education on using all the technical and digital opportunities without which we are prevented from enjoying and using all these possibilities. One manufacturer evensaid that, for now, they choose to take  a step back in terms of technical progress, to make the handling of the touch panel easier for everyone to understand and use.

That should be the starting point for future developments. The digitization in the exclusive bathroom design makes sense, but only if everyone is able to operate it.

One of the fundamental questions that we have to keep in mind in the course of digitization is:
“Where does wellness start? What rituals must be served? What exactly does wellness mean for consumers?”
Only when these questions are answered, technology can be integrated and the spa really can be a pleasure. That should be the major challenge of the industry in our modern world.

Bio  Designer Torsten Müller  

Besides his work as a designer, Torsten Müller gives lectures in the areas of bath design and architecture of the spa . He stands in the forefront of the industry in Germany and beyond,  being a consultant for international manufacturers and craftsmen. Various media name him among top German bath designers. Torsten Müller is on par with his customers with his mantra of “sensing interior concepts” .