Designing The Extraordinary: Axor And Antonio Citterio’s Global Bathroom Concepts

Escape the Ordinary

AXOR and Antonio Citterio Present Three Extraordinary Bathroom Concepts

How do you create a bathroom experience that is truly extraordinary? Under the umbrella of its new campaign claim, ‘Escape the Ordinary’, AXOR asked Antonio Citterio to engage with just this question. The “Gentleman of Design”, as Citterio is widely known, responded with three distinct bathroom concepts that are extraordinary not only for their understated elegance and individuality but for the luxurious and personalized water experiences they provide.

Set on three different continents and made for the traveler who “loves comfort,” each bathroom concept, says Citterio, “is deeply inspired by the idea of a journey—both physical and sensory. We envisioned journeys through Japan, South Africa and Italy, with each place offering a unique perspective on design, culture and the relationship with water.”

The individual concepts are “designed to embody the essence of the locations that inspired them,” Citterio explains. But for all of their differences, each provides a perfect showcase for the architect and designer’s most recent collaborations with AXOR, the AXOR Citterio C bathroom collection and the AXOR ShowerSphere shower program. Both demonstrate their aesthetic versatility and vast potential for creating diverse shower experiences, tailored to the personal desires of the user.

Japanese City Loft

Antonio Citterio’s first concept takes us to an unnamed Japanese city—perhaps Kyoto— where a minimalist residence blending traditional elements with modern architecture is surrounded by a historical garden. In the bathroom, natural wood flooring and a monolithic marble washbasin—topped with a sleek AXOR Citterio C single lever faucet—help create a sense of meditative calm. The contrast between the rough concrete and the refined black mosaics, both integral to contemporary Japanese design, “creates a serene yet sophisticated atmosphere, reflecting the duality of Japan's cultural heritage.”

It’s in the shower, however, that this journey finds its true destination. Towering floor-to-ceiling windows connect the space with views of a serene garden, allowing nature to provide the backdrop to a shower area of all-encompassing luxury. Here, AXOR Citterio C takes center stage, offering three distinct showering experiences: an enveloping rainfall from the ceiling-integrated overhead 270/270 1jet above; the arced jet of a wall-mounted overhead 120/120 1jet; and the precise spray of a hand-held shower.

An AXOR ShowerSelect ID thermostat and function diverter allow for the comfortable, intuitive control of this multi-faceted water experience. An AXOR Drain, as well as storage items from the AXOR Universal Softsquare Accessories, complete the product specification. Finished in brushed nickel, the selected products form a harmonious, functional whole that reflects the spirit of the surroundings.

An alternative interpretation of the concept exchanges the washbasin faucet for an AXOR Citterio E 3-hole version and the overhead showers and controls for an AXOR ShowerSphere overhead shower 370/220 1jet and AXOR Citterio shower thermostat. This variation places greater emphasis on classical elegance and sensuous shapes, while demonstrating the vast flexibility of Antonio Citterio’s AXOR portfolio.

Western Cape Apartment Residence

Situated near Cape Town, South Africa, Antonio Citterio’s second bathroom concept emphasizes the region’s simple elegance and raw, natural beauty. “Each material,” says the architect and designer, “was chosen not only for its aesthetics but for its ability to tell a story, to create spaces that resonate with the spirit of the places that inspired them.”

The materials palette references the rocky surroundings of Cape Town. For the walls, Citterio selected a water-repellant plaster made of red local clay. For the flooring, the designer opted for Palladian Terrazzo. Made with reclaimed materials, the terrazzo “adds a touch of heritage and sustainability, celebrating the region’s resourcefulness and connection to the land.” Supple red mosaic tiling in the shower completes the look.  At the washbasin, Citterio echoes the theme of resourcefulness, placing a rectangular AXOR Suite wash bowl on a clay-plaster cabinet and pairing it with a single lever AXOR Citterio E faucet.

It is in the shower area that this concept’s sense of place comes into full focus. Water-efficiency is crucial for any bathroom in drought-affected South Africa, which is why Antonio Citterio relies on the EcoSmart^[1] AXOR ShowerSphere overhead shower 370/220 2jet. With its distinctive yet timeless design and generous, angle-adjustable spray, operating at a flow rate of just 8 L/min^[2], the AXOR ShowerSphere proves that comfort and sustainability are not mutually exclusive.

To support the adjustable AXOR ShowerSphere overhead shower as the centerpiece of the bathroom, Citterio has selected an ensemble of matching fixtures: an AXOR Citterio C porter unit, an AXOR Drain, and a thermostatic module from the AXOR One collection. All bathroom fixtures are finished in brushed black chrome, an exclusive AXOR FinishPlus surface, to create a subtle but splendid contrast with the rooms’ deep red walls.

A variation of the concept opts for a 3-hole AXOR Citterio E faucet at the washbasin and an AXOR Citterio E thermostatic module at the shower—both showcasing the signature cross handles of Antonio Citterio’s timelessly elegant collection.

Mediterranean Hotel in Rome

For this bathroom concept of a Mediterranean-themed hotel room in Rome, Antonio Citterio returns to his native Italy for inspiration. Clad in a thoughtful mix of Rosso Levanto marble and travertine, a stone deeply rooted in the local architecture, the bathroom “evokes the grandeur and richness of Roman culture,” says Citterio. A lush terrace with sweeping panoramas of Rome provides a connection to the outdoors and “captures the timeless elegance and historical depth of the city,” the architect and designer explains.

With its contemporary silhouette, an AXOR Citterio C 3-hole faucet at the washbasin smartly contrasts with the choice of classic materials. But the aesthetic power and experiential possibilities of Citterio's concept truly come together in the shower area. Here, the combination of an AXOR ShowerSphere overhead shower 250/160 1jet, an AXOR Citterio E shower bar and an AXOR ShowerSolutions 130 3jet hand-held shower perfectly complements the space’s modern Roman aesthetic, while offering a decadent selection of spray modes.

With the help of an AXOR ShowerSelect ID thermostat, guests can enjoy a full range of luxurious showering experiences, while soaking in views of St. Peter’s Basilica. Citterio has opted for his selection of AXOR products to be finished in luxurious brushed bronze, another exclusive AXOR FinishPlus surface that perfectly complements the splendor of the Eternal City.

Escaping the Ordinary

“To me, ‘Escape the Ordinary’ embodies the idea of transforming the bathroom into more than just a functional space,” Citterio concludes. The shower can serve as a space for personal sanctuary and wellbeing, he notes, but to achieve this, it must be especially responsive to individual needs and preferences. The designer’s own AXOR ShowerSphere program is instrumental in meeting this demand. With an extensive variety of luxurious shower products and adjustable shower arm, AXOR ShowerSphere takes personal comfort to the next level. Key in addressing these design goals, however, was Antonio’s own AXOR Citterio C collection.

“The simplicity and flexibility of AXOR Citterio C allows for a seamless integration of the shower into a variety of environments.” By providing a full range of luxurious shower experiences, on its own or in combination with the AXOR ShowerSphere program, AXOR Citterio C “enables one to organize and personalize the shower experience, turning it into an extraordinary feature of any space.” No wonder it serves as the basis for these three extraordinary bathroom concepts.

AXOR. Form follows Perfection.

AXOR conceives and manufactures iconic objects for luxurious bathrooms and kitchens. Developed in collaboration with world-renowned designers—Philippe Starck, Antonio Citterio, Jean-Marie Massaud and Barber Osgerby among them—AXOR products come in a variety of styles. All AXOR faucets, showers and accessories are produced to the highest standards of quality. With an expertise that extends far beyond the products themselves, AXOR inspires and enables architects, interior designers and the design-savvy public. Together with AXOR, they shape water-related spaces that reflect the unique personality of the user. Part of the Hansgrohe Group, AXOR is a forward-thinking brand dedicated to developing distinctive products, manufactured with excellence.

^[1] EcoSmart showers use up to 40 % less water than conventional AXOR showers at 3 bar.

^[2] Compared to our conventional products, the flexible flow limiter caps the water consumption to max. 8L/Min (at 3 bar).

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