Matta - thesis project with Agape Bathrooms

product design Photography prototype wood bathroom architecture exterior

Matta - developed with Agape Bathrooms

I am pleased to share the project I developed in June 2023 as part of my thesis, in collaboration with Agape. This project focuses on a thorough analysis of the company's history, drawing conclusions that will lead to the creation of accessories for the Outdoor Bathroom.

a. Contextual research

The history of Agape begins in 1973 and spans 50 years of the evolution of design culture, architecture, technology, and lifestyle, interpreting one of the most unique spaces in the home: the bathroom. A space that Agape places at the heart of domestic life, designed to endure over time and to provide deep sensations and emotions every day.

b. Deduction

To analyze the company's evolution effectively, I have divided its history into six distinct periods:

- 1970-2000 During this period, prominent elements include a strong sense of modernism, an emphasis on functionality, a reference to Italian tradition, a touch of humor, and a particular focus on archetypes.

- 2000-2005 Starting in 2000, we witness a significant expansion of the catalog, paving the way for contemporary bathroom design and notable collaborations, including those with Patricia Urquiola and Angelo Mangiarotti.

- 2005-2010 Towards the end of the 2000s, the company leans more towards market tastes, begins developing products through the technical office, albeit partially losing one of its fundamental distinguishing features: Italian identity.

- 2010-2015 In just a few years, the Italian identity re-emerges, although less pronounced, partly due to the increased involvement of foreign designers.

- 2015-present Currently, Agape focuses on an architectural approach to bathroom and product design, returning to the appreciation of Italian tradition and craftsmanship.

- Outdoor Collection (developed in 2018): This collection serves as the key to understanding the company's perspective on design. Within it, we observe the realm of bathroom design expanding beyond domestic boundaries.

The Outdoor Collection has succeeded in bringing Agape's most architectural products outdoors. However, in this context, the lack of a dialogue between these products and the Italian external environment is still evident.

c. Trasposition

After the deduction and research phases, it became essential to focus on how to best approach the evolution of the Outdoor collection. In my opinion, this aspect required a more urgent revision. Agape undoubtedly did not need new products that fit within the traditional bathroom archetype, both considering the ongoing transformation in this domain and evaluating the quantity and quality of those already available.

In this regard, I have established three key objectives for myself:

- Approach the Outdoor context with a more pragmatic approach.

- Analyze our behaviors in relation to this new domestic scenario.

- Reinforce the distinctive Italian identity of Agape, ensuring that our products engage more effectively with the Italian external environment.

To better immerse ourselves in the realm of the Italian outdoors, I compiled a booklet featuring evocative images that truly captured its essence. This booklet was then distributed during my thesis presentation, serving as a moodboard to raise awareness among the audience about this shared experience, which we all have lived but tend to forget.

d. Design Direction

Once the fundamental theme was established, it became essential to understand how to approach this field. The most pragmatic solution was immediately evident: winter. What happens to these objects during the colder months? Do they require protection? Can they continue to thrive?

Delving deeper into the research, fascinating findings emerge, revealing how, in the recent past, in rural settings, many objects had "extensions" that expanded their functionality. For instance, some typical Apulian vases were complemented with accessories that sealed them and could be used as bowls. Furthermore, the mastello da tavola, when paired with any bucket, transformed into an object with a new functionality.

Matta

"Matta," or "martyr," is the term used in Italian carpentry to refer to a support that is dedicated to preserving the main product. It is used to interpose between the main product and the machinery. Similarly, the products in the collection are designed to interpose between the product and the external environment that may damage them.

Specifically, I have applied this process to three different products from the Outdoor collection: Bjhon 1, Bjhon 2, and the Vieques XS bathtub. However, it's important to note that the project has been designed to adapt as an approach to any object within the collection.

Matta per Bjhon 1 - design Angelo Mangiarotti