Bathing Room
. . . this pattern defines and places the main bathroom of a building. It does it by changing the present character of bathing rooms completely: And its position is so clear, and so essential, that it will probably help to form the sleeping areas and public areas given by larger patterns: Intimacy Gradient, Common Areas at the Heart, Couple’s Realm, Children’s Realm, Sleeping to the East, Bed Cluster.
Problem:
“The motions we call bathing are mere ablutions which formerly preceded the bath. The place where they are performed, though adequate for the routine, does not deserve to be called a bathroom.” —Bernard Rudofsky
Background & Research: Not Included on the site—Go read the book!
Solution:
Concentrate the bathing room, toilets, showers, and basins of the house in a single tiled area. Locate this bathing room beside the couple’s realm—with private access—in a position half-way between the private secluded parts of the house and the common areas; if possible, give it access to the outdoors; perhaps a tiny balcony or walled garden. Put in a large bath—large enough for at least two people to get completely immersed in water; an efficiency shower and basins for the actual business of cleaning; and two or three racks for huge towels—one by the door, one by the shower, one by the sink.
Usage:
Above all, make sure that there is light, plenty of light—Light on Two Sides of Every Room and Filtered Light; try to place the bathing room so that it opens out into a private part of the garden—Garden Wall, and perhaps even gives direct access to some local swimming pool—Still Water. Line up the toilet with the compost chamber—Compost; and for the detailed shape of the room and its construction, start with The Shape of Indoor Space . . .
pg. 681