文档介绍：contemporary as1an
BATHROOMS
Chami Jotisalikorn and Karina Zabihi
photos by Luca lnvernizzi Tettoni
PER! PLUS
the new as1an bathroom
out of the closet
Not that long ago, the bathroom was but a utilitarian space, young designers in Asia are rapidly taking the lowly lavatory
hidden from view within the inner recesses of the home. to a new level, with a creativity that continues to ra ise the bar.
Part and parcel of western domestic architecture for several Originating in Southeast Asia, tropical resort bathrooms
centuries, the general practice across Asia was to keep bath- came to the fore along with the tropical resort vi lla, thanks
rooms a distance away from the living quarters. The concept to the pioneering vision of Australian architect Peter Muller,
of sitting in a tub, mon practice in the west and in the whose design for the Oberoi Bali in the mid '70s represented
colder north Asian countries like Japan, was largely unknown a radical new concept in hotel design . Breaking away from
and unnecessary in tropical Asia. The traditional Asian shower the idea of a standard high-rise hotel room, he designed the
required on ly two items-a large urn and a scoop-and con- hotel in the manner of a tra ditional Balinese village, with
sisted of splashing bowls of rainwater over the body. Bathing guests housed in traditional villas that offered bathrooms
took place outdoors where a breeze quickly dried the body opening onto the outdoors as they would in a Balinese home.
after the bath. Considered sensational at the time, his concept has since
munal aspect of bathing in Asia is well rooted in then set the standard in tropical resort design. His designs
ancient times, when munal bath, like the Roman bath for many of Bali's top luxury resorts, including the Amandari
in Europe, was a place to congregate and socialize. Ancient with its stunning pool, have influenced a stream of followers
Indian civilizations built capacious public bathi