6x6-Challenge
Danish architecture firm wins design competition
The Danish architecture firm BJERG Arkitektur won Geberit's international 6x6 design competition with the “Serenity“ project.
The winner of Geberit's European design competition has been announced: it is the bathroom design by the architectural firm BJERG Arkitektur A/S from Copenhagen (DK). The bright and spacious bathroom, entitled “Serenity“, is intended to offer peace and balance in everyday life. Six architects from six countries took part in the competition.
Carsten Wraae Jensen, project manager and architect, knows what matters in the design of 6 sqm bathrooms.
You and your team won the Geberit international competition with your 6 sqm bathroom called “serenity”. What are the strengths of your bathroom design?
Our team focused on giving a sense of calmness and serenity to the person who would use this space. We used wood, a material that lives and evokes emotions. The bathroom is one of the only spaces where we can close the door and be completely to ourselves. One should feel comfortable in a relaxing atmosphere.
How did you manage to make that happen?
We tried not to want too much at once. We paid particular attention to the materials and their texture, as well as an integrated design. For this we used a mirror with integrated light and a bathtub embedded in the floor. Cleanliness was important to us as well. We opted for uncomplicated, easy-to-clean products that look elegant because of their uniform surfaces. On the left side we created a storage area. Our bathroom design is realistic and affordable in price.
The task was to create an attractive bathroom design on 6 sqm, taking into account six main requirements. What attracted you to participate on this competition?
Apartments and housing are off our scope. We rather do designs for schools, kindergartens, and other social facilities, where we have to consider many technical demands. To realize a design for this 6 sqm room appealed to us because it was something different. Many would say that 6sqm is small. For our architectural practice in Denmark that is quite large. In Copenhagen, building is expensive, so we are used to much smaller floor plans.
What was the biggest challenge and how did you face it?
To create a space that is sustainable and functional at the same time. We didn’t want to integrate products that only look good. They also must be practical. Our idea was to create a sustainable space with a large window and a view of nature that invites you to dream.
What potential do you personally see in bathrooms with little space?
The challenge is to be more focused on one thing. 6 sqm can feel small. But as you learn about materials and products and get a feel for the space available, you can try to slim things down. Less is more.
If you look in the catalogs or visit showrooms, you see predominantly spacious bathrooms. The reality is often different: many people have little space in the bathroom. What are your tips for making small spaces functional and interesting?
When you enter the room, the things you have stored in the bathroom should not catch your eye. Try to find a system and hide the things of daily use. Create some space for a calmer atmosphere. Remember that you need space in front of the toilet, a shower and in front of the washbasin. These square meters can be combined by clever arrangement of products. This is how you save space.