productos Dornbracht

DORNBRACHT the SPIRITof WATER Elemental Spa
DORNBRACHT the SPIRITof WATER Elemental Spa
Original ritual areas. // Spazi rituali primitivi. // Zonas de ritual originales.
The “Bathing” zone, a place for relaxing and refuelling. // La zona “Bathing”, un luogo di quiete e di forza. // La zona “Bathing”, un lugar de tranquilidad y de fuerza.
The origin of water. Ritual as a source of archaic architecture, in which
physicality and the experience of water are central. ELEMENTAL SPA.
The latest interpretation of the topic “Ritual Architecture in the
Bathroom”.
For Dornbracht, ritual architecture is the result of a long-standing debate
concerning cleansing and space, in which the individual stands at the centre
of the architectonic design. The purely functional aspects of the bathroom
are expanded around the dimension of human activities. The bathroom becomes
an interface between the user and his/her rituals. After MEM, the
“contemplative” bathroom for spiritual regeneration, and TARA LOGIC,
the “active” bathroom, which sets the body at the centre of the rituals,
ELEMENTAL SPA is the third of Dornbracht’s ritual bathrooms. It’s theme
is the archaic and the original: as an element, water changes its environment.
It can render a location unique. ELEMENTAL SPA therefore puts water
in the centre of things, as the point from which everything originates.
With space for personal and shared rituals for cleansing body and mind.
Originality in perfection.
This elementary power of change, which is inherent to water, reflects the
architecture of ELEMENTAL SPA designed by Mike Meiré – clear,
cubic shapes as a projection screen of change, and materials which react
directly or indirectly to contact with water. Thus each of the cleansing
rituals leaves its own unique trace and constantly recalls the origin of
everything: the source.
The fitting conceived and developed by Sieger Design abandons its role as a
companion to the bathroom architecture and elements surrounding it. It
becomes their initiator. It seeks the interfaces to wall, floor and ceiling and
thus marks the water exit points, which form the starting point for the various
ritual areas.
THE RITUAL AREAS
ELEMENTAL SPA makes the bathroom a refuge for the soul. A place in
which the cleansing power of water brings body and mind into harmony.
Every ritual activity has its own zone. Together these zones create a path of
archaic rituals, at the end of which, cleansed inside and out, the person rediscovers
themselves.
Cabinet: The prelude to each visit to the ELEMENTAL SPA. Here is where
you arrive. Unwind. Cast the outside world aside and prepare yourself for
your rituals. Facewash: Here follows the conscious cleansing of face and
hands. Everyday life slips slowly into the background. The first ritual is accomplished.
Cascade: You approach the element and see the first traces of the
water on the copper-coated wall and floor slabs. The Cascade celebrates the
natural experience of clear water falling down on the body. Foot washing and
Body cleansing: The place in the ELEMENTAL SPA, where the body is
cleansed. This can be completely or partially, perhaps sometimes only the
feet. Just as you would like it to be in that particular moment. Totally at peace.
Sitting or standing. This ritual calms the mind and thus helps you become
aware of yourself. Shower center: The shower revitalizes the body. The gentle
rain that falls from above generates a feeling of lightness. The water carries
all that is weighing down on you away with it. Bathing: The whole person can
be immersed in the deep copper tank. It lets you sink into the comforting,
warm water. A ritual simply made for achieving a therapeutic effect, by adding
essential oils and ingredients. Heated block: The warm marble block
completes the total relaxation after the bath. Without a towel the body can
dry and rest totally naturally and in its own time, without losing its inner
warmth. Wooden bench and patio: The places of meditation. Where mind
and body are brought into harmony. Spill zone: No restrictions, no instructions.
Water becomes the elixir – and thereby the meditative element.
THE PRODUCTS
Each of the six fittings in ELEMENTAL SPA has an individual name. They
thereby receive a personal identity which does justice to their presence in the
architecture. Special attention was given to ensuring that the sound and appearance
of the name reflected not only its archaic, but also its ritual character.
For the washstand there are the ITA fittings (without Corian ® ) and IAM (with
a Corian ® cube). KATA and NOTA are bath fittings for wall-mounting and
free-standing assembly respectively. The new material mix with Corian ® was
used for both. For the shower there are the SATI fittings for ceiling-mounting
and the SANGHA fittings for wall-mounting, both using a Corian ® cube.
All the fittings in ELEMENTAL SPA position the water exit points of the
individual rituals and thereby create the starting point for the architecture that
develops around them. The clear, cubic appearance of the fittings is continued
in the architecture. The water leaves a trace on the used materials, which
recall the natural spring as the origin. For this reason predominantly archaic
materials were chosen, whose surfaces alter during use. Corten steel, copper
and olive wood. These materials complement the modern-appearing aesthetics
of noble materials, such as marble, Corian ® or mirror glass. By consciously
alternating between archaic and contemporary materials, a lively contrast
is achieved.
THE MATERIALS
Corten steel: Corten steel distinguishes itself with a surface that is coated with
a particularly thick iron oxide layer. Moistness thus gives the material a special
individual, expressive patina. This simultaneously protects the steel from
rusting. Hence, Corten steel is also used for highlighting effects in architecture
and as a material in the artistic field. If the material is additionally provided
with a copper alloy, as in certain areas of ELEMENTAL SPA, the
traces of water can be emphasized even further. A topography of the individual
cleansing rituals emerges through its use – elementary and modern.
Copper: Copper is a warm metal with various qualities and a particular vibrant
effect. When combined with water, verdigris is formed, thus creating an optical
impression all of its own. As a bathtub material, copper is furthermore said
to bestow a therapeutic effect. Marble: A noble material which nevertheless
conveys naturalness. Cut out of a mountain in massive blocks. Through its
heaviness, marble can generate a sense of unwinding. Corian ® : is a convincing
option, due to its material properties: A stable and water-resistant material
consisting of an acrylic-bound mineral, which combines endless design possibilities
with an extremely long life cycle. Olive wood: The furniture in the
ELEMENTAL SPA is made from olive wood finished in a variety of shades.
The slow grown hardwood distinguishes itself with particularly dense, insensitive
pores. Olive wood radiates a natural warmth and has, moreover, a spiritual
meaning in many cultural groups.
Whilst all these materials are a homage to the archaic and to the original, ornaments
may set certain counterpoints. High quality objects, which adopt the
simple, linear, natural aspects of the bathroom architecture and materials, and
radiate a discreet luxury.
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