Dornbracht Commissions Rafael de Cárdenas

Inspired by the notion of a “transitional style,” Dornbracht enlisted RDC/AAL, as well as Neri&Hu of Shanghai, to design an ensemble of environmental concepts around their Vaia series of bath and spa fixtures. The goal was to follow through, immersively, on the series’ initial design impetus: to “create a new balance – between traditional elegance and contemporary cool.”

The fluidity of RDC/AAL’s architectural centerpiece for the project is accented by a subtle multiplicity of thresholds and intersections: between interior and exterior, light and shadow. Meanwhile, conspicuously traditional techniques such as brick masonry are inflected by strikingly contemporary applications.

Watch avideo of the design process and how Mike Meire of Meire Und Meire brought it to life at ISH in Frankfurt earlier this year.

Vaia seeks to “create a new balance – between traditional elegance and contemporary cool”. Follow along and share your own interpretation at #createanewbalance.