Dezeen · Creativity & design

Eindhoven students reimagine bathrooms for a future with scarce resources

An exhibition by Design Academy Eindhoven and Kaldewei, titled Behind Closed Doors, showcased student projects exploring circularity and resource conservation in bathrooms.

Students investigated how bathrooms can be redesigned for a circular economy, encouraging users to adopt more sustainable habits. The projects challenged conventional ideas about waste and resource use, questioning societal expectations of cleanliness.

One project featured tiles decorated with human hair, aiming to find aesthetic value in materials often considered repulsive. Another student created a bath mat from human hair, contrasting it with the acceptance of animal hair in products.

A washbasin made of soap that dissolves with each use was presented, prompting reflection on the practical and ethical aspects of circularity and guilt.

In response to water scarcity, some projects explored alternative bathing methods. One satirical film depicted communities reusing bathwater, while another proposed using waste heat from data centers for warmth instead of water.

Other projects focused on nature's resources and cohabitation with other life forms. One student created sculptures from fallen reeds, adhering to principles of responsible harvesting. Another embodied bathroom micro-organisms through costumes to humanize them.

A playful project offered instructions for turning everyday bathroom items into musical instruments for shower jam sessions.

The exhibition was part of the Currents design festival in Berlin, highlighting innovative approaches to design in the face of environmental challenges.

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