Metamorphic, Tom Dixon’s sculptural bathroom featuring Dekton Pietra Kode

Challenging the perception of the bathroom as a hidden and merely functional space, ‘Metamorphic’ is an architectural and sculptural intervention that reinvents the role of the bathroom in interior design. Displayed during Milan Design Week 2023 and inspired by the fascination of Briton Tom Dixon with new modular construction methods and his extensive knowledge of the excellent properties of Dekton, the installation features four modules of varying size that showcase a new vision of the bathroom space as a focal point of interior architecture.

Disruptive shapes and the interplay of water, sound and light make up this installation, which was one of the highlights of the Fuorisalone programme.

“I’ve long been fascinated by prefabricated bathrooms inserted into buildings as modules”, says Tom Dixon, who developed this installation in collaboration with his team at Design Research Studio. “This idea was the starting point and initial inspiration behind ‘Metamorphic’”, says Dixon.

After visiting Cosentino’s headquarters and Dekton production facility in Spain, Dixon was literally “enthralled by the innovation and sustainability of the material”. “Dekton’s durability and beauty allowed me to create a unified and seamless 3D installation, almost as if it was carved out of stone. The end result shows the bathroom as a practical place of refuge and opens up the opportunity for these spaces to be more expressive, almost heroic”, says Dixon.

The installation is a symbol and evidence of the great versatility of ultra-compact stone and its ability to generate ideas for bathrooms of the future. “When we started this project, we were determined to develop an installation that would show the versatility of Dekton and its application possibilities beyond worktops or building envelopes”, says Eduardo Cosentino, Vice President of Global Sales of the Cosentino Group. “With ‘Metamorphic’ we aim to inspire the design community and offer a unique perspective on the many possibilities for such a vital space as the bathroom”, he further says.

The Dekton Pietra Kode collection reinterprets the timeless beauty of three classic stones: Vicenza stone, Travertine marble and Ceppo di Gré. For the installation, Dixon chose 5 different colours that he used for his sculptural pieces, creating a unique composition in which the different textures establish a dialogue with elements such as water and light.

For Cosentino, which also attends the Salone del Mobile every year, this was its 15th participation in Fuorisalone. The collaboration with Dixon is a major milestone, as it marks the designer’s comeback to the Salone after nine years. Finally, and coming full circle with Italy, the installation features almost all the designs of the Pietra Kode collection by Dekton. This collection is as durable and sustainable as the rest of the Dekton products, as it is carbon neutral throughout its life cycle and resistant to stains, scratches, abrasion and temperature changes.