The Dream Bathroom of Sebastian Herkner | Duravit

The Dream Bathroom of Sebastian Herkner

Innovative room solutions, exciting material compositions, and a completely new view of traditional bathroom design: With Zencha, Designer Sebastian Herkner has created a bathroom range that is inspired by traditional Japanese rituals and craftsmanship. However, the product designer completely reinterprets Zencha in his signature bathroom: stained wooden shingles on the wall, shell limestone on the floor, and a ceramic room divider form the basis for this unique bathroom range.

The idea

The Idea: Spaciousness and Grounding

“For me it was important to create a spacious bathroom that not only shows the Zencha in its best light, but also still leaves plenty of space for the essentials,” said Sebastian Herkner, explaining his design.

By rounding off the wall, which picks up the gentle shape of the bathtub, an exciting dialog is generated between architecture and interior. Similarly, the spacious, square floor plan is an homage to the unique formal language of the range.

The floor plan

The iconic Zencha bathtub is the reason for the square bathroom floor plan. The tub is not only an eye-catcher, it also sets the direction in formal terms.

Bathtub as a center

The bathtub forms the heart of the room plan. The wall with wooden shingle cladding picks up its gently curving shape to create a harmonious overall image. The bathtub with its softness and spaciousness ultimately characterizes the entire bathroom design.

Double ceramic interpretation

Double Ceramic Interpretation

The double washbasin stands out thanks to its two spacious above-counter basins, picking up on the formal language of the bathtubs. The minimalistic, graphite-colored bathroom furniture with a textured glass front creates a harmonious visual contrast and underpins the elegant lightness with its delicate frames.

Behind it, the wall cladding made from ceramic components creates a unique atmosphere. Depending on the quality of light, it refracts the light in different ways to ensure an unusual play of light in the bathroom.

Washing area

Sebastian Herkner opted for a double washbasin to manage the challenges of everyday life. The vanity units ensure visual order, the spacious above-counter basins made of DuraCeram® and matching mirrors offer space for personal hygiene.

Toilet area

The ceramic room divider is additionally used as a separator to the Happy D.2 toilet. Its asymmetric design allows intimacy while also preserving a sense of openness in the room.

Additional furniture

The additional tall cabinets of the Zencha series not only offer further storage, but they pick up on the textured glass as a surface and harmoniously round off the overall composition.

The materials

Honest Materials and Contemporary Tradition

“We want to feel good in our bathroom, to create a place of retreat, which is why I opted for a rounded wall made of stained wooden shingles – as a reference to honest craftsmanship,” said Sebastian Herkner, explaining his intriguing material mix. “It was important for me not to create a nostalgic bathroom, but one that is a timeless fit for the present despite its traditional elements.”

For the floor he selected large tiles made from shell limestone, a stone native to Germany which represents reflection on the essentials.

Herkner's personal signature

Sebastian Herkner’s preference for authentic materials and an emotional, sensual architecture that rejects strict rules is the starting point for his work. “After all, we’re not looking for unnecessary luxury or decadence, but instead a room that touches us personally, supports us in our everyday life, and lets us find peace”.

Fitting accessories

For Sebastian Herkner a room is not complete until it can support tried-and-tested everyday habits: a soap dish, a waste bin, several towel hooks, toilet paper holder. Matching accessories ensure that everything is neatly and tidily stored and always within reach.

Inspiráció & Tervezés

Happy D. 20 years