Sculptural tub set apart and surrounded by nature

When your days are full-on, a tranquil ensuite provides the ultimate respite from the world. Such was the requirement and outcome with this restful bathroom design by Ben Lloyd and Mike Hartley of Lloyd Hartley Architects who undertook a full renovation of this 1960s home.

“By positioning the ensuite at the rear of the home, we were able to take advantage of views out onto a planted hillside,” says Lloyd. “Plus   this area of the property has a large Pohutukawa tree that contributes to the views and creates ever-changing light conditions in the ensuite.”

The master ensuite opens up to this verdant environment with full height windows and a skylight that spans over the shower stall. And by lighting the Pohutukawa and the lower landscaping at night this effect is amplified.

The modest-sized ensuite has a linear layout with the bathing zone at the outer end of the space and the shower stall and toilet cubicle at the other end. Operable vertical black louvres in the bath area let the bather control privacy and views. And privacy for the ground-floor space is also addressed with roller blinds on tracks that are discreetly recessed into the ceiling.

Black, sculptural and standing apart, the tub is a star feature of the ensuite and connects with other elements in the room, such as the custom black vanities and ladder towel rails.

“The bathroom has a luxurious palette that combines warm travertine stone with textured plaster walls, brass, black granite benchtops and black powdercoated aluminium to create a cohesive and inviting ambience,” says Lloyd.

These material choices continue the aesthetic of the wider home, too, with travertine stone and black detailing seen throughout the interior.

The ensuite achieves a sense of greater space in part by having the windows and louvres run the full height of the room – accentuating its volume. In addition, the bank of mirror-fronted wall cabinets both double the room’s apparent size and introduce a wealth of storage.

Textured glass doors to the shower and toilet bring privacy while ensuring they’re well lit.

Story by: New Zealand TIDA Bathrooms

Photography by: David Straight