roca homages brazilian modernist ruy ohtake with anniversary washbasin

roca tributes ruy ohtake with anniversary washbasin

Roca pays homage to the late Ruy Ohtake (1938-2021) by capturing their collaborative washbasin in one of the Brazilian architect’s most iconic modernist homes – the Tomie Ohtake house. The photography series marks the first anniversary of his death, celebrating his legacy with a new matt black finish for the bathroom designs.

All images courtesy of Roca, photos by Ruy Teixeira

Having designed and built more than 400 domestic and international projects spread over five decades, Ruy Ohtake (1938-2021) was a master of Brazilian Modernism. The architect was drawn to nature’s gentle forms and characterized his own buildings by color, sculptural forms and curves. His use of shapes lead the viewer’s eye in expected directions, transcending conventions and awakening new senses.

ruy ohtake designs natural washbasin for roca

The same architectural principles shape the Roca x Ruy Ohtake washbasin collection, originally launched in 2018. Its soft, undulating edges speak volumes about the architect’s influences from nature. It seems to mimic waves rolling on the ocean, constantly shifting the line of the horizon. The sculptural form also showcases how Ohtake engages users with his products by going beyond utility and function.

With Roca, the designs are crafted as well as produced sustainably, reaffirming the bathroom brand’s commitment to artisanal work and environmental positivity. Its soft outer shell is inspired by the rounded shape of an egg. Likewise, an egg’s lightness yet resilience are recreated using Roca’s Fineceramic® technology. The ceramic material is lighter and more durable than normal to create thin but elegant lines.

washbasins photographed at tomie ohtake house

The collaboration between brand and architect was revisited to mark the first anniversary of Ruy Ohtake’s death. Ruy Teixeira captures images of the products in-situ at the Tomie Ohtake house – the home the architect designed for his mother. The photographs reveal the soft shape of the objects as well as the new black matt ceramic finish for the washbasin. The collection consists of four different formats – oval, round, square and recessed – and six other colors.

collection info:

brand: Roca

designer: Ruy Ohtake

formats: oval, round, square and recessed

colors: seven