The Bathroom Beneath the Canopy
We carefully sited the bathroom beneath the shade of the surrounding Olive and Fig trees to keep the space cool, preventing the Trobolo compostable loo from overheating.
To the left you can see the afternoon sun breaking through the trees. The way the four different natural materials (three timber, 1 stone) respond to light is encapsulating.
Internally, we designed these Japanese inspired Naguri patterned privacy and ventilation screens.
Because of the way the panels are cut at 45 degree angles, users can see out into the undergrowth but anyone passing by cannot see into the bathroom.
Retractable bamboo screens cover the windows. To the left you can see one closed and to the right is one open.
Dividing the two materials is a piece of live-edge chestnut. It became clear early on that leaving timber in its most natural state is what our clients wanted. A style we have come to love.
The Trobolo compostable loo has been a massive success. Credit to Trobolo who have managed to develop a compostable loo that doesn’t smell (when used properly).
This piece of Granite was found only a few metres from the site. It was the sculpted into the sink you see to the left:
The following information was provided by Geologist Cheikh L Wali:
" The rock consists of a granitic-gneiss formed of white-grey felsic minerals such as quartz and feldspars, which alternate in a discontinuous foliated texture with dark minerals, mainly biotite and pyroxenes. It corresponds to a metamorphic rock derived from the transformation of an igneous granitic rock under high temperature and pressure, which results in this hard rock, generally resistant to dissolution in water. Such type of rock is commonly found in the cores of mountain ranges and in Precambrian (more than 540 million years) crystalline terranes."
The pedestal this Granite sink sits upon is made out of the entire width of an Okoume tree. After consulting with our clients we decided not to plumb in the drainage of the sink. The water would only seep into the ground unnecessarily. Instead it is collected in a bowl and used to water the thirsty surrounding Lemon trees.
As you can see: from the outside you cant see past the ventilation and privacy panels due to the angle they are cut at.
Simple, single bolts are one of the few man-made materials used on this project. Others include: plumbing and rope. We tried to keep this list to an absolute minimum to echo the structures surroundings.
Pull the left stone to turn the shower on, pull the right one to turn it off.
The shower head is disguised in the canopy above, leading to quite a shock when you turn the shower on.
Cinematic, comedic moments like this were inspired by Brazilian Architect Marcio Kogan.
