ANYBODY'S SANCTUARY
an inclusive bathroom and achieved 2nd place in Kohler's future designer competition.
https://www.instagram.com/p/C2LYIKBPm-Z/
Objects do not need to physically change to accommodate differences and a single mostly static object can provide many different benefits for different abilities and use cases. The meshing of this logic with a welcoming and calming atmosphere would produce an environment that would allow anyone to use the bathroom in a manner that best fits them. The wellness sanctuary aesthetic as outlined in Kohler's website could be combined with the functional ideas of the meta-form bathroom to provide a gracious and relaxing experience for all.
Concept 1: Teirice
This is a multi-tiered sink that accommodates predominantly different heights. This accommodation leads to a calming flowing effect that is reminiscent of a waterfall. With the only drain being at the foot basin it minimises the plumbing needed. The controls at the head of the tap adjust its height in relation to the sink it is placed over. The extra space provides storage and Easy sink options that do not interrupt the pipes due to the simple plumbing.
Concept 2: Sitting sink
This is a sink based around use whilst sitting. I wanted to ensure that anyone could peacefully use this for longer activities. It was necessary that wheelchair users were not alienated and could have easy access. The secondary tap is for use by people who stand or for shorter activities and the angle of the basin ensures that the water does not splash on the user. The temp and pressure are separated into a pair of leavers to provide more control to all.
Concept 3 development
The first Dirty Cad module was hostile to wheelchair users and the concept of bum
sliding is not very graceful so did not align with Kohler's ideas of the bathroom
sliding is not very graceful so did not align with Kohler's ideas of the bathroom
the doorless design to better accommodate wheelchair users. I love the idea of having a large bench Eg you can sit in it or use it to wash your kids. The shape felt very closed in and stressful could not fit a wheelchair in there. does it have to be a bench It could be a handrail etc
This shape was one of my favourites and I wanted to have all the usable elements except for the shower(for comfort reasons) in view of the door
using grasshopper script to experiment with slats
main issue was feeling very claustrophobic helped by
slats maintaining a sense of privacy whilst letting in light.
main issue was feeling very claustrophobic helped by
slats maintaining a sense of privacy whilst letting in light.
the concept did not achieve my goals adequately closed shape did not contribute to the flow of action closed-off double slat wall both felt cramped and led to ergonomic issues for wheelchairs.
Concept 3: Sanctuary
is a bathroom installation that provides a peaceful bathroom for all. Moving the functional aspects of the bathroom to the centre of the room allows the creation of a flowing line of action. This is aided by the railing that wraps around the entirety of the Sanctuary.
Concept refinement
Using the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs Social Inclusion’s Design Manual for a Barrier-Free Environment I ensured the a wheelchair could make a comfortable full turn in the enclosed shower space This Manual also had the common reach for both a wheelchair user and an average-standing person.
One of the more important parts of the design was the transition from the shower space into the rest of the bathroom and vice versa. After trying approaches that incorporated shelving I simply continued the handrail above the bench, This both supports the user and strengthens the movement of the installation
Basic blocking out of form to ensure ease of use for
people in wheelchairs.
people in wheelchairs.
After I produced a parametric script to derive the curve of the wall into a full basin. This allowed rapid iterations and became the base of the form of language used in the rest of the bathroom.
Turn a section of the main curve into a closed shape. The front and back curves can be resized independently to create many shapes
This shape is then moved and scaled to make a shell of the sink
Using a loft of the lines to make the final shape of the sink
For the toilet an extra loop was
added below the bowl
added below the bowl
Then the same loft is used
I wanted to have a shower head for both sitting and standing but this basic pipe felt out of place
By using a slightly modified Voronoi pattern it blended in with the rest of the shapes of the shower and hid the pipes
