Atlanta, GA — Creativity, thoughtful use of product and the ability to tackle unique design challenges were the hallmarks of Duravit USA’s seventh annual Designer Dream Bath Competition winners. The national competition was revamped in 2019 as part of a new program with sales partner Frank Webb Home, moving to a regional focus in the Northeast.
Submissions were reviewed and winners were selected by a jury of leading designers, architects and media, including Eduardo Serrate of Hacin & Associates; Janice Costa, Editor, Kitchen & Bath Design News, and Sandy Giardi, Senior Writer and Editor, Boston Design Guide.
Photos: Tina Psoinos
WINNING BATH
Paris Kostopoulos and Tina Psoinos of Paris K Design won top honors for their Built Project submission, which featured an elegant redesign of a New York City apartment bathroom with the Duravit Starck 3 toilet and Sensowash seat, along with a Happy D.2 vanity and washbasin as well as the D-Code bathtub. The design addressed several key challenges, both in terms of maximizing the small space and relocating the bath, which required rerouting the plumbing. Additionally, the space demanded thoughtful product choices that would be incorporated in a way that would create a beautiful, functional and elegant design that would elevate the entire bathroom.
As the design team explained, “The client asked us to connect their old apartment with their new adjacent one. After creating a layout, it was clear that the new apartment’s kitchen had to become a full-size bath. In order to achieve that, we needed to route all the plumbing from the new fixture locations for the tub, the sink and the toilet through the walls to the existing risers. Duravit had all the plumbing fixtures to fit our scope of work and challenges with tight space and pipe allocation. We used their wall-hung Starck Elongated toilet so that it can be placed away from the drain riser as well as their beautifully designed and made Happy D sink to provide the soft corners we needed to avoid accidental bumping for the kids who would be frequent users of this bath.”
Kostopoulos and Psoinos received $5,000 worth of Duravit product for their winning design.
HONORABLE MENTION
Bori Kang, Richard Meier & Partners
Photos: Binyan Studios
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Two honorable mentions were also named: Bori Kang from Richard Meier & Partners and Cornelia Kanakis-Wittenberg of Spaciality, Inc.
Kang’s design brought a sleek, minimal aesthetic to a New York City condominium building with the ME by Starck, Starck 3 and Vero collections.
Kang noted, “Our goal was to design a sleek and minimal bathroom, in line with our design aesthetics and a space that was beautiful, yet warm and comforting. With elegant white and gray marble on the floors and walls, the modern and simple Duravit product lines worked perfectly to create a seamless look.”
Kanakis-Wittenberg’s project overhauled an 1800s townhouse and crafted a colorful kid-friendly bathroom out of a 5’x8′ space with a Vero washbasin and Darling New toilet.
HONORABLE MENTION Cornelia Kanakis-Wittenberg, Spaciality, Inc. Photos: Cornelia Kanakis Wittenberg
The designer explained, “This bathroom was desperately in need of a complete overhaul, plumbing and otherwise. Our client wanted a fun, edgy bath for their young, active boys that would still be completely functional – but with only a small footprint to work with, this presented a challenge. Enter the Duravit wall-hung toilet system to the rescue! Its space-saving design was the perfect solution. Another great pick was the 47″ trough washbasin (especially useful during teeth-brushing time with all three boys!), and the double-fired ceramic glaze on the sink and toilet bowl is a smart finishing touch that makes for easy cleanup.”
The competition drew a diverse range of bathroom projects, and Duravit USA President Tim Schroeder noted, “Through our partnership with Frank Webb Home, this year’s submissions tapped into the innovation present within the Northeast A+D community. Each finalist presented a thoughtful use of Duravit product to tackle unique design challenges, and we laud their efforts and creativity.”
“It has been an honor to partner with Duravit USA on their Designer Dream Bath competition, and to celebrate the submissions and new Duravit collections at our Boston showroom,” added Tom Santer, v.p. of sales, F.W. Webb Company. “All of the submissions embodied the designers’ passion for design and creativity. It’s inspiring to be surrounded by such a talented design community.” ▪