Winner: Anne-Sophie Pillet & Camille Delescluse’s “Bambooskin.”

We have a winner!

The jury deliberated last week on our NYC’s Worst Bathroom Competition, and they’ve landed on one proposal to be brought to life. We’ve got the jury’s comments, plus rendering of the winner and two runner-up schemes, after the jump.

In case you missed our posts about the competition, the brief was to re-design what is ostensibly one of the worst bathrooms in New York. The offender? Kenny Lao: founder of Rickshaw Dumplings, subject of a recent MTV special, and one of Inc Magazine’s 30 under 30, Crain’s 40 under 40 (you get the idea – he’s busy!).

The winning scheme, from Anne-Sophie Pillet & Camille Delescluse, will be built this year. Brizo will provide all the fittings and Duravit will provide all fixtures. AFNY will offer accessories to be selected from the Cosmiic and Frost collections, along with hardware from Valli & Valli. We can’t wait to see the final results – for now, check out the jury comments and renderings of the submissions below.

Winner: Anne-Sophie Pillet & Camille Delescluse’s “Bambooskin.”

On Bambooskin:

Marc Kushner: “The Bambooskin proposal really understood how constrained the space is. Confining themselves to one material, the designers made a wise choice in not overwhelming the space withy multiple textures and colors. The establishment of a horizontal datum creates a sense of release by accentuating the space’s disproportional height. The design is also practical, using a shower pan and prefabricated sink that is functional and space saving. Altogether a well thought out, documented and beautifully presented project.

Marc Tsurumaki: “The winning project exhibited an admirable economy of means, with a single bamboo surface performing multiple functions and establishing the material identity of the design.  The continuous liner wraps the space –  incorporating storage shelving and pulling away from the outer wall to create a protected tiled ‘wet’ area for the shower.  This elegant and concise strategy takes advantage of the carefully selected fixtures to provide additional functionality without cluttering the small space with excess components.”

Elena Frampton: “Bambooskin’s success lies in its simplicity in achieving numerous objectives with few strategies. The layout accommodates the program and the use of a single material on numerous planes expands the sense of space in tight quarters. The materiality provides warmth without sacrificing utility. The plumbing fixture selections, such as the compact yet functional Recess Lav from AF New York and designed by Desai/Chia Architecture PC, complement the elegant design.”

Kenny Lao: “I think bambooskin is a really smart design that accomplishes not only my practical requirements as a client but also possesses an understated style that creates a sense of calm and order in a very small space.”

Runner Up: Luca Andrisani, Reflection.

On Reflection:

Marc Kushner: “Reflection is a very seductive proposal. The visual presentation is exceptional and the design is cohesive and well executed. It is the perfect straw-man for the whimsy employed by the designer at the towel hooks and holes. Despite the beguiling features throughout the proposal, the continuous band deployed at the sink/shower assembly was slightly lacking in resolution. Two issues, storage under the seat and the general visual weight of such a feature in a space this small edged the design to an honorable mention.”

Marc Tsurumaki: “This project also benefits from the clarity of the idea – a folding strip of material that combines sink, shower and seat, within a wood-lined volume.  Especially notable here was a sense of wit and play, with functional requirements generating inventive responses – for instance the circular apertures for rolled towels.”

Elena Frampton: “We enjoyed the playful aspects of ‘Reflection’. The rolled towel niches in conjunction with AFNY’s Frost Lulu hooks add wit while the purity of the integrated vanity, seat, and shower unit provide a dynamic contrast to the warm lodge-like teak walls.”

Kenny Lao: “It was so warm and honey like…”

Runner Up: Carl Mahaney, Kenny’s Wet/Dry Room.

On Kenny’s Wet/Dry Room:

Marc Kushner: Kenny’s Wet/Dry Room is an ambitious proposal for a tiny space. It’s appeal is compositional, and it is a well balanced and articulated design. I particularly like the way the ceiling is activated. My concern is that it would suit a much larger space well, but would would illegible and uncomfortable in Kenny’s bathroom.”

Elena Frampton: “The diversity in layout, volume and material use in ‘Kenny’s Wet Dry Room’ creates a rich and layered solution. Space-defining ceiling planes provide the illusion of skylights and variation in lighting. Clever retractable drying ribs add a rhythmic quality while meeting Kenny’s program requirement for a place to hang dry laundry.”

Kenny Lao: “I loved the transition from the shower through the teak and onto the floor.  i loved the creation of sky lights.”

Runner Up – Neon Collaborative:

Runner Up – Weetu, Kenny’s BathBOX:

by Kelsey Keith

posted in Competition

tagged BATHROOM, Competition, kenny lao, News, nyc's worst bathroom, results

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