Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
Introduction Most people do not like talking about their bodily functions, and bathrooms have traditionally been relegated to a secondary position as far as the design of public spaces is concerned. Public toilets are generally associated with cold, often anti-hygienic spaces that foment delinquency, perversion and vandalism. Nevertheless, bathrooms not only form part of our everyday life but also reflect the evolution of our hygiene, as well as expressing our cultural identities to such an extent that they form part of the history of civilization.
In recent years, bathrooms have been subject to greater attention on the part of designers, who give full rein to their creativity to turn bathrooms into an experience for the senses imbued with great artistic value. This book presents a selection of very diverse projects in which bathrooms enjoy a special status as a vehicle for emotions, various artistic and cultural expressions, corporate values and the requirements of different social groups. Particular attention has been paid to the latter, as the needs of a male user are not the same as those of a woman, child, senior citizen or handicapped person -- and the design of a lavatory must take these characteristics into account. Over the course of four chapters Leisure and Culture, Residential Bathrooms, Working Environment and Commuting Spaces -- follows a global survey of bathrooms belonging to different types of buildings, including bars, restaurants, theaters, gyms, offices, hospitals, kindergartens, public institutions! , airports and train stations, with special emphasis on the means used to bring together creativity and functionality.
It seems that designers are gradually rebelling against the taboos which dictate when, where, how and with whom we should relieve ourselves, and are converting a visit to the bathroom into not just a satisfaction of physical needs but also a pleasant experience.
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
Introduction
Most people do not like talking about their bodily functions, and bathrooms have traditionally been relegated to a secondary position as far as the design of public spaces is concerned. Public toilets are generally associated with cold, often anti-hygienic spaces that foment delinquency, perversion and vandalism. Nevertheless, bathrooms not only form part of our everyday life but also reflect the evolution of our hygiene, as well as expressing our cultural identities to such an extent that they form part of the history of civilization.
In recent years, bathrooms have been subject to greater attention on the part of designers, who give full rein to their creativity to turn bathrooms into an experience for the senses imbued with great artistic value. This book presents a selection of very diverse projects in which bathrooms enjoy a special status as a vehicle for emotions, various artistic and cultural expressions, corporate values and the requirements of different social groups. Particular attention has been paid to the latter, as the needs of a male user are not the same as those of a woman, child, senior citizen or handicapped person -- and the design of a lavatory must take these characteristics into account. Over the course of four chapters Leisure and Culture, Residential Bathrooms, Working Environment and Commuting Spaces -- follows a global survey of bathrooms belonging to different types of buildings, including bars, restaurants, theaters, gyms, offices, hospitals, kindergartens, public institutions, airports and train stations, with special emphasis on the means used to bring together creativity and functionality.
It seems that designers are gradually rebelling against the taboos which dictate when, where, how and with whom we should relieve ourselves, and are converting a visit to the bathroom into not just a satisfaction of physical needs but also a pleasant experience.
