Latest bathspace trends by Shobhan Kothari

Living in today's fast paced world means there is no time for people to pause and relax. Therefore bath spaces have become an extension of a spa and wellness zone. It is an ‹ where people get their personal me-time and comfort. Unlike previous homes, bathrooms today are no longer functional. With people in the 35-40 age bracket dealing with diff markets and are aware of available technology, they look for tech-enabled features such as TVs and music in the bath space that connect them to different parts of the world. I opinion, this is not only because it is an aspirational trend, but also because people are now well travelled and moving towards a nuclear family set-up. They wear their lifestyle sleeve and are open to spending on these amenities, unlike earlier, more traditional, generations.

We design a lot of second homes that are much larger and fall in the luxury segment. Here, we see how we can make bath spaces an extension of a walk-in facility (like closets ensures the space is seamless and doesn't have a hard demarcation. In such homes, we also love creating bath spaces with the inside-outside connect. Clients enjoy a garder and green pockets with an outdoor bathtub or shower.

As far as colours go, faucet companies are going beyond chrome and are working with colours like rose gold, French gold, titanium and black. Designs no longer adhere to a standardized format. Bath space styles are very specific these days, ranging from industrial, art deco, etc.

Going forward, colours will become more muted and luxury oriented.

Another big trend will be the use of tech. We have Apple watches that give you your heart rate in seconds and the time isn't far when your bathroom gets you an instant stool n will no longer have to wait for a report from a lab but get instant reports at home. In the years to come, I see an interface between health, the institutional providers and the bat merging together or at least reducing the gap. Alexa is another massive game changer in most AI functions in the bathroom, as are anti-fog mirrors and material such as Hylar i component of coatings used in cool metal roofing systems) for ceilings. We endorse natural materials like IPH and wood across projects as well. The idea of technology is to m life easier and the only hurdle I see in convincing clients in India is the fact that we are heavily dependent on service staff, and thus, tech has to be made even simpler so they ‹ maintain it with ease.

The trend of eco-spaces will continue and we need to ensure important questions are answered before we use natural materials. For instance, sensitive questions on where th‹ is sourced from and how transport adds to its carbon footprint, etc. are crucial. The limited variety of eco materials at present is another issue we look into before incorporatinc the design.

A Kaleidoscope creates a certain amount of dynamism which challenges the sfaf/c thus permitting a dialogue of possibilities. At ADND, co-founded by Ar: Anand Menon and A Kothari, the paHnership has encouraged dialogue on design possibilities and challenges that come with it thus creating visually striking spaces delivered within the parameters pragmatics. The designers engaged at the firm further propel th1s idea of continuance and prevent stagnation of thought.

ADND is an architecture + interior firm doing boutique work in the genre of residential, corporate, hospitality and retail. The firm has successfully completed 16 hears in practice growing body of work with some of the renowned names of the societys. The firm has a team of 25+ designers aligned and determined to create a niche in the field of architects interior and to meet with client satisfaction. At ADND, design is treated as a process; something arrived with due consideration of pragmatics but not limited by them. The firm atmosphere of “studio”practice combined with a sense of realism.

The firm constantly strives for a clarity of thought when it comes to the realization of spaces be it architecture or interiors. Our belief that we are as good as our last completed has persistently pushed us to strive for befter Our self critical nature helps us to take compliments and criticism in the same stride.