A Home Spa, the Project Scope: ORC 2023
Updated September 10, 2024Week 1, Our Goals & What is Japandi ?
Welcome to our One Room Challenge for the Fall of 2023. You are just in time to catch a transformation that has taken months to properly design and plan for. The favourite part of my job as studio director at Articulated is being a part of a project’s transformation. I will be your guide throughout this series about our luxury bathroom renovation design. This project illustrates how we work together with our clients and their chosen contractors in an integrated design approach.
We will introduce you to the project, which is a luxury bathroom renovation in a Japandi style.
In this article:
This rendering captures our proposal for space.
Not only is our creative director known for their colourful style, Corey Klassen CMKBD NCIDQ IIDA is also a Certified Master Kitchen & Bath Designer through the National Kitchen and Bath Association and a recognised subject matter expert with regards to:
Bathroom Design
Steam Showers
Inclusive Design
Accessible Design
The Project Scope & Goals
Let’s begin with our clients. They are in their forever home in New Westminster, and it is over 100 years old. We are honouring the style of the house in the kitchen but the bathroom on the second floor has very little left from the original house to preserve and the clients would like a modern Japandi style. Since one of our clients on this project is a past client, they already know we have a design process to start with. This meant they could count on our design to meet their very specific functional needs.
The space is adjacent to their principal bedroom and offices on the second floor taking in stunning views of the Lower Mainland.
They want the space to follow them into retirement and meet a variety of needs as they age.
The clients would like a modern Japandi style for their bathroom
We are known for our love of colour and working in a range of design styles from Art Deco to West Coast Minimalism. As a part of our complete design services we can design custom millwork. These are design features that can be a part of the cabinetry or they can be stand alone architectural elements. We have included images the clients used to select the millwork later in this series. So you can see how many twists and turns there are in the creative process.
Inspiration
What is Japandi ?
Japandi is a design style that blends iconic elements of Japanese design with a Scandinavian Mid Century style. It is a fusion of two distinct design traditions based upon what they have in common with each like their appreciation for organic materials and clean lines. Our goal is to create a harmonious and balanced aesthetic for this bathroom so it can be a private retreat for personal care, relaxation, and rejuvenation.
Our project’s key Japandi design elements are:
Natural Materials
Natural materials such as wood, stone, and bamboo are prominent in Japandi interiors. The subtle but dynamic grain pattern of our riff cut oak millwork and cabinetry will be an elegant feature as the lighting evolves over the course of a day. As is the case with our millwork, these materials will either be left in their natural state or finished with a light touch to highlight their organic qualities.
Minimalism
Both Japanese and Scandinavian design are known for their minimalist principles. Japandi embraces clean lines, simplicity, and a clutter-free environment.
Considered Colour Palette
Japandi design typically features a colour palette that is intentional and in many cases subdued. Our direction for this project is to showcase the rich natural light in the space by considering a colour palette that is more than a muted pastel. Traditionally neutral tones like white, gray, beige, and muted pastels dominate the colour schemes of Japandi interiors. Our choice of Palladian Blue is because it has a touch of green to the hue.
This highlights the tones of the oak features of the room with it’s natural linear woodgrain from this type of cut of wood.
Green & Biophillia
Japandi design often includes indoor plants and natural elements, further connecting with the idea of bringing the outdoors inside. Our historic 200 year old colour will bring a designer twist on this sense of freshness and vitality.
Geometric Shapes
Both Scandinavian and Japanese design incorporate geometric shapes. This also included bold and intentional curves like those found in the mid century Scandi furniture design classics showcasing elegantly bent wood. You may see clean, simple geometric patterns or shapes in furniture, textiles, and decor items. In our bathroom we selected matt black hardware and fixtures, along with light fixtures. This bold continuity in the same tone not only is a play with the geometric, but enhances the accessible features of the room in a visual way.
Functional Design
Japandi design places a strong emphasis on functionality. Furniture and decor pieces are chosen for their practicality and often feature clean, unadorned lines. Multi-purpose and space-saving furniture are also commonly used. Our accessible elements are a part of the style of the room and some of them might be multi purpose.
Goals & Objectives
Our goal and objectives for this project revolve around renovating a principal bathroom with the following key considerations:
Accessibility
Our clients want the space to allow them to gracefully live together. To not just reflect their needs for now, but also to follow them into retirement and meet a variety of needs as they age.
Aesthetics
Our clients want use to make this stunning bathroom accessible without feeling like a hospital using quality tested materials.
Steam Shower And Private Retreat
The clients want luxury spa features included like a steam shower in order to make this a private retreat for personal care, relaxation, and rejuvenation
Daylight
We aim to position the arrangement of the bathroom space to take advantage of the natural light from the skylight and window giving the clients direct daylighting. It affects our wellness and our connection to our community.
Structural/systems modifications
Since we have been planning this well in advance, we have supplied comprehensive construction drawings to our client’s chosen contractor that meet the municipal building codes of their municipality. They outlines the changes to any structural, power or lighting locations as well as document in detail the design requirements for the equipment and accessible hardware to function. Not only does this consideration impact the code-compliance requirements from our jurisdiction we must address, it means there are heavy line-items in the project budget.
Colour
Our studio is known for our love of colour and working in a range of design styles from Art Deco to West Coast Minimalism. Our clients knew that a colour would be proposed only when we meet their very specific functional needs in the design. Palladian Blue, a historic 200- year old colour was selected in how it worked with the hard finishes in the space including the riff cut oak of the millwork and cabinetry. It will bring a sense of freshness and vitality into the space in a Japandi design sensibility.
Budget
We are the first to admit that identifying a reasonable budget is a challenge for the majority of owners. Our overall budget considers that there will be customizations that we will be making as this is a renovation. So for this project this will include:
A general contractor, their team, and their trades
Comprehensive constructions drawings meeting the building codes of their municipality as a part of our services
Riff cut oak custom cabinetry and millwork
We will also be providing contractor support as a part of our services to the client
Our tile recommendations (based upon over 10+ years of experience) will meet the requirements of the steam shower and accessible design (but they will not break the bank like large slabs of natural stone).
There are luxury spa features like a steam shower with aroma therapy, and soaker tub. Each connect with smart device apps for a variety of functions.
So our project investment level starts at 40K, not including our design services. There is a kitchen renovation a part of this design so there are other factors at play.
Our history with luxury bathrooms
Our Principal Designer, Corey Klassen, has defined himself early on regarding luxury bathrooms, even being interviewed upon the topic of steam showers and biophilic design. Which is why they participated in the Kitchen and Bath Planning Guidelines - with Support Spaces and Accessibility, 4th. ed., which allowed 10 subject matter experts to significantly update the publication for the kitchen and bath industry in both Canada and U.S.. Not only are metric and imperial forms of measurement now included, but also practical considerations for designers to reference when they design a custom steam shower or accessible baths.
Corey has a love for steam showers since his first award winning bathroom took 3rd prize in the large bathroom category of the Nationals of the National Kitchen & Bath Association in 2014. They have worked with quality brand names that produce steam showers, as well as plumbing fixtures like Brizo and DXV. Corey’s first time speaking at IDS Vancouver was when he presented a Luxury Bathroom CEU for designers in Fall 2014. His participation in an international marketing campaign for DXV by American Standard not only brought him early local recognition. It was a part of his love affair with steam showers. He even wrote articles for Mr Steam ( a pre-eminent brand in the luxury bath marketplace) as well as presented his own CEU about steam showers at an international design conference for the kitchen and bath industry called KBIS. Below you can see the video produced for Lofty Visions, the project for DXV, where it showcases a steam shower for the advertising campaign.
Links:
Background
Last year in the Spring 2022 we entered the One Room Challenge for the first time. It provided such a positive environment, we couldn’t wait to participate again.
The mission of the One Room Challenge is to “provide participants with a supportive, enthusiastic forum in which to share the process of transforming a room. The ORC is not a competition, but rather a celebration of creativity, inspiration, and original ideas.”
Our aim is provide you with a behind the scenes glance at a luxury bath design project in this 8 article series. I will use this project to illustrate how we work together with our clients and their chosen contractors in an integrated design approach.
You will learn the features and benefits of both steam showers and accessible design as a cornerstone in the future of bath design. Our creative director, Corey Klassen CMKBD NCIDQ IIDA, is also a Certified Master Kitchen and Bath Designer through the National Kitchen and Bath Association and a recognised subject matter expert in luxury bath design and inclusive design. Over the years Corey has contributed back to the design industry at large not through teaching the next generation of designers and providing educational content at design industry events across both Canada and the United States. He has also contributed as a subject matter expert for education programs and publications.
“Then there was the total revamping of our certification program. I would like to give a shout out to two of our long time collaborators: Corey Klassen CMKBD of Articulated Design Studio and Judith Neary CMKBD of Roadside Attractions. Thank you both for your help and guidance with our new program which features a learning management system that makes it easier to access materials, as well as to track your progress online. Our certifications as well as our growing badge program are even more valuable as a competitive tool in today’s market.”
Bill Darcy, CEO NKBA, State of the Association Address: January 31, 2023, Time stamp 20:57 min/sec
The accessible story to our bathroom renovation project is a great way to reveal the level of advocacy of our studio. Corey has won local and international awards for bathroom design and spoken to the industry about steam showers and luxury bathroom design. Through an independent peer nomination in 2022 Corey was recognised for contributions to both accessible and inclusive design to the industry at large across the United States and Canada as a design innovator of 2022 by Kitchen and Bath Design News Magazine.
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Conclusion
Just one article can not answer all your questions, but it can help you start your journey to learn more about accessible design and luxurious spa features you can include in your bathroom.
Fate handed us an opportunity to showcase a bathroom renovation in a heritage home with the timing of the Fall 2023 One Room Challenge. Catching a transformation that has taken months to properly design and plan for.
What’s next:
As #designnerds we love colour and providing beautiful design solutions that meet the functional needs of our clients. As you follow along in our blog series for the One Room Challenge you will get the inside scoop on our bathroom, as well as follow along with our design process. The same steps in the process are always at play, even when it is for ourselves because there are way more twists and turns to navigate than one expects (especially with creatives who know all the options!).
Article 1 | Week 1 : A Home Spa, Our Luxury Bathroom’s Project Scope
Introduction to the one-room design challenge
Overview of the project: transforming a luxury bathroom with a steam shower
Emphasis on the inclusion of accessible design features
Our designer's professional contributions to accessible design
Article 2: Accessible Space Planning & Layout | Week 3
What is space planning?
Our project
Arranging and fitting out the space
The final spaceplan
Can you make a condo bathroom accessible?
Additional resources
Our History w/Accessible Design
Article 3: Steam Showers, The Ultimate Luxury | Week 4
Introducing the luxurious steam shower concept
Discussing the benefits and features of a steam shower
Selection of steam shower materials, finishes, and technology
Article 4: Accessible Design in Luxury | Week 5
Highlighting the importance of accessible design
In-depth discussion of accessible features in the bathroom
Ensuring a seamless blend of accessibility and luxury
Our founding designer's professional insights into accessible design
Article 5: Expectations VS Reality | Week 6
How our project will be challenged by supply and demand
3 tips
Custom Upholstery, Cabinetry, and Millwork
Our Project
Article 6: Lighting, Technology, and Custom Millwork | Week 7
Importance of lighting in creating a spa-like atmosphere
Selection of lighting fixtures for both aesthetics and functionality
Integrating smart technology for convenience and energy efficiency
How lighting and technology enhance the overall design
The designer's approach to lighting and technology in accessible design