LONDON.- Opening today, Foam Dome is an innovative installation for this year’s Kitchen and Bathroom Hub at 100% Design (17- 20 September), created by Turkishceramics, Kitchen & Bathroom Hall sponsor, and London-based practice, vPPR Architects.

As the Kitchen & Bathroom section’s main hub, Foam Dome focuses on the theme of cleanliness. The pavilion is comprised of foam, creating a sculptural, utopian dreamland, which is constructed of a lightweight, white geodesic dome that hangs from above. The dome is covered by a mesh material and foam, representing a breathing membrane. Below the dome sits the magical interior of the hub featuring Turkish ceramic products, encouraging visitors to dip in and engage with basins to tiles and a 160 diameter bathtub designed by Ross Lovegrove.

Jessica Reynolds, Director of vPPR Architects, says: ‘We’ve designed Foam Dome around the idea of cleanliness, referencing the purifying and luxurious experience of a spa. We are fascinated by the architecture of foam and its ambiguous character. The composition and atmospheric quality of the Foam Dome is serene and inviting, drawing people towards its effervescent, glistening and constantly changing envelope. We think that incorporating the characteristics of foam into the pavilion is a playful approach to the Kitchen and Bathroom hub.’

Reinforcing the indulgent spa aesthetics, the hub is also dressed with piles of soft white towels and white chairs for relaxing. The proposal also builds upon a current cultural interest in foams, from the philosophical writings of Peter Sloterdijk, to culinary experiments by Heston Blumenthal and the foaming artworks of Michel Blazy.

Bahadir Kayan, Chairman of Turkishceramics, says: “We are proud to be the sponsors of the Kitchen and Bathroom section at this year’s 100% Design. It has been a pleasure working with vPPR Architects on the Foam Dome, creating a unique installation that you wouldn’t normally find at your typical trade fair. It’s exciting to see how a contemporary British design practice has found inspiration in the tradition of Turkish bath culture, reinterpreting it in a sophisticated modern style.”