Faraway Vis-à-vis

Found pieces instead of orchestrated spaces: Designs relating to the cool, cleansing liquid substance as are on view at the Salone del Bagno Milan and in the Fuori Salone showrooms, are rich in innovative materials and champion the familiar purist style elements.

Today, faucets created by highly paid designers are ugly, or so claims Hans Magnus Enzensberger at least. The exhibitors at the ISH were no doubt more upbeat about their products, and put much effort into presenting their new fittings, basins and everything else that belongs in a bathroom.

At this year's ISH, the "World's Leading Trade Fair for the Bathroom Experience, Building, Energy, Bathroom, Air-Conditioning Technology and Renewable Energies" in Frankfurt the economic crisis did not take centre stage. Visitor and exhibitor numbers almost matched those of the previous year and an upbeat outlook was palpable - almost defying the crisis, as it were.

There are any number of trends, but only one can lead the way: The bathroom is expanding and merging with the bedroom to form one large area of relaxation and recovery. This, however, is no easy design task to be accomplished.

Can you find it pleasant being in the element of water if you are not a fish? How can we enjoy the sensory qualities of cold and hot water as it forms pearls over our skin and bodies? And does the glistening of the light, which breaks in drops or torrents, not refresh our minds and senses? In order to combine all this into one experience, Ludovica and Roberto Palomba have designed a special piece of architecture, namely a bright and clear room for an enjoyable water experience.