Bath fixtures: domestic utility or glamorous pieces of furniture? One-functional or pluri-functional? Pure or hybrid? At this time our client was building for itself a role position in a market under deep transformation. This is a starting point for the project: the idea of a space in transition, where the exposition could be re-arranged using movable exhibit units. A playful work-in-progress and a necessary solution for the updating needs of the market.
The plan is divided in three areas: the mentioned ever-changing exhibition space, the top products one with still-life combinations, and a collective bathroom area with fixtures in use. Yes, we definitely wanted the visitors experience Hatria’s products. Further we liked the idea of organizing a public bathroom area using an aesthetic formula far from the usual ‘blu, light and water’, bringing the concept into an abstract all-black disco-club atmosphere. An effect achieved through walls of black glossy ceramic tiles framing a line of sinks hanging from red glass panels. A connecting space between the three areas is outlined by out of scale light boxes creating a striking backlight effect in the heart of the showroom. It’s an ‘industrial memory’ - as well as the nearby line of hanging nude lamps - a theme of poetic objectivity crossing all the projects we are conceiving for Hatria. An overall effect of intimacy is superimposed to the project. Panels of Lexan film wear from the inside the old existing aluminium façade, projecting the emotional focus inside on the products, on the company, on a fastly growing new market.
Client: Hatria spa / Gruppo Marazzi Designer: Paolo Cesaretti Assistant: Laura Danieli Photos: Stefano Stagni, Paolo+Stefano
