Sculptural tub set apart and surrounded by nature
With a bathing zone that makes the most of leafy outlooks, and featuring travertine walls and floors, this ensuite has the air of a private, calm oasis
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.
Credit list
Architect
Cabinetry maker
Taps
Showerstall and flooring
Lights
Tower rails
Benchtop, vanity, custom sinks
Bath
Shower fittings
Wall treatments
Ventilation
Awards
Story by: New Zealand TIDA Bathrooms
Photography by: David Straight
For more than 30 years, Trends has promoted great home design ideas through its print, digital and online media.The Trends International Design Awards – TIDAs – take that involvement to the next level with the search for the best kitchens, bathrooms and homes across a number of the countries where Trends has a presence.
Homes Trends Vol. 34/4
Whether space for your new bathroom is generous or modest, you'll want to create a room that not only looks good but is also a breeze to use. And that often means working around restrictions of plumbing locations, the position of windows and doors, and whether you want to include a bath as well as a shower. So how do you get the design process underway?