Vitrium by Christian Werner: a bathroom for living- Duravit

A timeless bathroom furniture range with innovative  DuroCast UltraResist washbasins – ideal for compact
spaces
• New, high-quality material for the washbasins:
DuroCast UltraResist, manufactured using the
mineral casting technique.

• Furniture with a reduced depth that is
especially suited to small bathrooms.
• Subtly backlit, semi-transparent glass fronts
create a welcoming ambience.

• Design highlights: console vanity units with
projecting above-counter basins or vanity units
with integrated c-bonded washbasins.
• Contemporary, timeless design

Christian Werner is a designer who lives and breathes the design of bathrooms and sanitaryware.
He has worked with Duravit on innovative bathroom solutions for many years and following six furniture projects he has now designed his very first washbasins – which interact with console vanity
units and washbasin vanity units.

The range juxtaposes materials with interesting visual and tactile qualities: whilst the washbasins
manufactured using the mineral cast process are made from DuroCast UltraResist, the console vanity unit
comes with a fine metal frame and a choice of fronts made from backlit glass, wood, or various décor
finishes. The result is a natural-looking ensemble that radiates warmth. “The starting point for this
design concept was a rigorous interrogation of the habits we take for granted. With Vitrium I sought to
redefine the design of the bathroom and the associated routines. As well as the kitchen and
living room, for me the bathroom, too, is a place of comfort and refuge,” said Christian Werner,
explaining the idea behind his bathroom range.

Vitrium uses subtle colours and tactile surfaces to create a feel-good atmosphere, which is enhanced by
the arrangement of furniture, textiles such as curtains and rugs, and decorative accessories.
Vitrium was presented at ISH 2023 as a series from the Duravit Artisan Lines.
The Artisan Lines features outstanding and iconic design products with a hand-crafted character that
Duravit develops in conjunction with renowned international designers. The design and manufacture
of the Artisan Lines require an extraordinary level of knowledge, craftsmanship, and exacting precision.

Modern & timeless: the design
Duravit’s Vitrium range is minimalistic, it brings together a variety of shapes; a straight-lined
console vanity unit combined with a round above-counter basin or a rectangular c-bonded washbasin.
The most striking design element is the reduced furniture depth with the projecting above-counter
basin, this makes the design ideal for compact bathrooms. “The basic design idea for the framed
fronts and transparency of the furniture has been realised exactly as I imagined. Timelessly modern
and unadorned – that’s the look I wanted for my Vitrium concept,” said Christian Werner.
The bathroom furniture made from PEFC*-certified wood is enhanced by rectangular and round mirrors in
the same design language and a mirrored cabinet that is also available as a built-in version – all with
integrated LED illumination. “Vitrium epitomizes the rituals that take place in the bathroom and sets the
ambitious framework for sophisticated and contemporary bathroom cultures,” said the designer,
describing his idea.

“The objects are intended to help the bathroom become people’s favorite room.”

Creating an aura of warmth: the furniture
The metal frame in White and Anthracite has a minimalistic and elegant impact on the geometric
bathroom furniture. The furniture is available in two different variants. The backlit, translucent
fronts are made from PARSOL glass, which gives the furniture an airy, almost floating appearance – like
a decorative showcase. They infuse the interior with warmth and are reminiscent of an open fire. “They
provide a stage for special everyday items, cosmetics, or accessories, which they transform into
something special,” said Christian Werner, explaining his idea of a homely bathroom. The other
variant consists of fronts made from wood and single-colour décor in a total of eight different
hues, which showcase the collection’s versatility in terms of individualized design. A horizontal handle
integrated into the metal frame rounds off the pared-down furniture with a pull-out compartment. An
additional internal drawer offers subdivided storage areas for small utensils. Matching semi-tall and
tall cabinets fitted with hinged doors and glass shelves round off the furniture range.
Material favourites: the washbasins With Vitrium Duravit ins introducing washbasins
manufactured using the mineral casting technique for the first time. The elegant matt surface of the
DuroCast UltraResist material – developed and manufactured in the Duravit factory in Bischwiller –
looks extremely enables a precise design language.
The additionally applied lacquer layer lends it beneficial qualities that are specifically useful in
the bathroom: the non-porous surface makes DuroCast UltraResist easy to clean and comparatively
resistant to scratches and dirt. “The pleasant, velvety surface in particular creates an
extraordinarily tactile experience,” said Christian Werner, describing how the material feels to the
touch.

Two different, delicate washbasins are available to choose from: a round above-counter basin and a
rectangular, seamlessly integrated c-bonded version with a refined outer edge. “The round above-counter
basins on the straight-lined furniture create a calm yet also dissonant symbiosis,” said Christian
Werner. The dissonance arises mainly because the round washbasin projects slightly beyond the edge of
the furniture. Conversely, the rectangular Vitrium washbasin, available in five different sizes, blends
seamlessly into the furniture.
The Tulum by Philippe Stark faucet range in Chrome or Matt Black is a perfect complement to the
sanitary objects and rounds off the sophisticated design concept.