Washbasins and round mirrors under an angular ceiling, blue glass mosaic ribbons across white

H₂O

A bathroom in two levels, water at both. Where water finds its form in line and angle.

Bathroom · single-family house · 12 m² · H 3 m · Brani & Desi (Gemelli Design Studio), 2010

The only room where you stay alone, relax, think and dream

01Hypothesis

We named it H₂O in Geometry because water leads the idea: the natural connection between this room and the person in it, and the thing every known form of life depends on.

02Method

Two levels, designed as one organism. Basins, WC and bidet below; shower and bath above. Stairs join them and double as seats. Behind the mirrors, niches hide storage; the sanitary zone has its own for books and a small rolling laptop.

03Observationcontested

Masaru Emoto claimed that water memorises its surroundings, even our thoughts. The claim is disputed. As an image it still sets the room: a place that remembers you.

04Data

Formula: H₂O
H–O–H angle: 104.45°
O–H bond: 95.8pm
Molar mass: 18.015g/mol

Gas-phase values for a single water molecule.

05Result

The public voted for it: Audience Award, Ideal Standard Bathroom of the Year 2010.

Sample A · blue mosaic, white ceramic

Level 1: washBasins, WC and bidet in mosaic ribbons that run across the floor like water finding its way.

Wide view of the lower level: basins, WC, plants and mosaic ribbons across a white floor

Fig. 01The lower level in one view: basins, WC and mosaic ribbons across white.Level 1 · wash

Fig. 02Wall-hung WC and bidet, framed by blue mosaic and plants.Level 1 · wash

Double washbasin with round mirrors under a faceted ceiling

Fig. 03Double washbasin, round mirrors, a faceted ceiling.Level 1 · wash

Washbasins and round mirrors seen through foliage

Fig. 04Washbasins and mirrors seen through foliage.Level 1 · wash

Glass shower at the left, washbasins and mirrors ahead, a tree between

Fig. 05The washbasin zone; the shower waits at the left.Level 1 · wash

Water finding its way.

Sample B · glass, mirror, still water

Level 2: restShower and bath, up the stairs: freedom for the body and the spirit.

Fig. 06Bath and glass shower on the upper level, under a sky mirror.Level 2 · rest

Bath with orchids, a wall screen and a sky mirror above the blue mosaic wall

Fig. 07The bath with orchids, the wall screen and the sky mirror above.Level 2 · rest

Bath in the foreground, wall screen and a tree behind

Fig. 08Bath in the foreground, screen and plants behind.Level 2 · rest

Bath and shower in one view, clouds reflected in the mirrors

Fig. 09Bath and shower in one view, clouds in the mirrors.Level 2 · rest

Freedom for the body and the spirit.

Bath with rippling water beside the glass shower, plants and an orange tray

Fig. 10The bath, rippling, beside the glass shower.Level 2 · rest

Mosaic wall, orange towel tray and a tree beside the bath

Fig. 11Mosaic wall, an orange towel tray, a tree by the bath.Level 2 · rest

Rain shower in a glass enclosure, washbasins and mirrors beyond a tree

Fig. 12Rain shower in glass, facing the basins.Level 2 · rest

Too much? The public didn't think so.

Audience Award, Ideal Standard Bathroom of the Year 2010. Chosen by open online vote among 12 nominated projects; presented in Sofia on 29 March 2011.

Press release on Dnevnik.bg (PR Sphere), 31 March 2011

In print

The project was published in the March 2011 issue of the magazine Наш дом, in the events pages reporting the Ideal Standard awards. The Audience Award is listed there as "Проект: H2O в геометрия, Автор: Gemelli Design Studio".

Наш дом, March 2011 · pp. 22–23 · tap a page to enlarge

Pages 22–23 of Наш дом, March 2011: Ideal Standard awards, with H₂O in Geometry as the Audience Award

12m²floor area

2levels

3mheight

104.45°the angle of water

Design: Branimira & Desislava Ivanova
Studio then: Gemelli Design Studio
Space: 12 m², two levels, H 3 m
Fixtures: Ideal Standard: Moments, Bubble, Tonic

all works