kenya hara develops foam spa for lixil

‘foam spa’ by kenya hara for LIXIL image © designboom

kenya hara, japanese designer (and art director of MUJI), has developed ‘foam spa’ on show during milan design week for japan’s largest manufacturing  group of kitchen and bathroom fixtures LIXIL. the exhibition ‘a new desire – discovering bliss’ invited visitors to experience new possibilities of  the living environment with its unique technology which is able to control water and air. by blurring the distinction between dry and wet areas the presentation proposed the ‘future functions and interiors of the home’ by awakening an unknown desire of joy.

close-up

‘imagine time passing pleasantly – you are enveloped in warm foam; you’re reading a book, watching a movie, feeling the air and the light on your skin.  you’re bathing in creaming foam. more than a new style of bathing, this is something that will liberate a new horizon of human desire. witness a small slice of the future of bliss and relaxation that we human beings can savor, from a perspective in which the human body, our living space and technology are treated as one.’ – kenya hara

possible environment

‘experimental bath’ with innovative foam – installation of the LIXL presentation at superstudio più during milan design week 2012

the 180 square meter space of LIXIL’s presentation at superstudio più, introduced three distinct zones: the ‘experimental bath’ where visitors experienced the warm velvety and fine sud; the ‘visionary bath’ which showcased the future standard of bathing; and ‘beyond bath’ which presented an unprecedented installation challenging the way of living that leads to a new lifestyle. the foam of hara’s design is generated by mixing air with hot water through a generating unit. the lather serves as a lid to keep the hot water from cooling off while at the same time avoiding the steam to pass through.

‘visionary bath’ space

‘foam spa’ installation at milan design week 2012 image © designboom

detail of foam

the foam runs over the curved edges of the fixture 

foam technology image © LIXIL

movie © LIXIL