LIXIL Corporation (“LIXIL”, TSE Code: 5938), maker of pioneering water and housing products, will begin sales of “bathtope,” a bathroom space equipped with a foldable fabric bathtub, on Tuesday, November 26, 2024. Alongside this launch, we have released the official bathtope website and concept movie (Japanese only), which includes the product concept, specifications, and purchasing information.
bathtope Official Website : https://www.lixil.co.jp/lineup/bathroom/s/bathtope/
Concept Movie : https://x.lixil.com/watch/6364328417112
Welcoming “A New Era of Freedom in Bathing.”
Based on the concept of “A New Era of Freedom in Bathing,” bathtope was born as a new generation of bathroom space that revolutionizes daily living. By simplifying the bathtub and space to the extreme, we unlocked the potential of bathrooms, leading to the idea of a removable fabric bathtub. Inspired by traditional Japanese kimono and origami, the fabric bath introduces a flexible concept that breaks away from conventional bathtubs, creating bathrooms filled with imagination and variety.
In just a few simple steps, you can fold and store the fabric bath when not in use, allowing for effective space utilization and reduced cleaning time. Additionally, bathtope achieves approximately 26% water savings* compared to conventional Fiber-Reinforced Plastics (FRP) bathtubs, meeting the modern user’s needs for efficient space and time use while being environmentally conscious.
This year, LIXIL celebrates the 100th anniversary of our domestic water and tile business. Starting with bathtope, we will continue to shape new technologies and innovative ideas for high-value products and services that create comfortable homes and enhance the everyday lives of our customers.
*Comparison of standard water usage between 190L for a conventional FRP bathtub (Minamo bathtub size 1600mm) and 140L for a fabric bath (size 1600mm).
＜References＞
■About bathtope
bathtope is a bathroom space with a fabric bath, a removable bathtub that you can fill with water for bathing and fold compactly for storage after use. Even in spaces that might feel cramped with a conventional fixed FRP bathtub, you can switch the bathtub in and out according to time, season, or mood. This allows for flexible use, creating a spacious bathtub or a roomy shower. The fabric bath, with its unique, light material, refined design, and enveloping comfort, provides a new sensation of relaxation.
■Key features of bathtope
1. Switch freely between shower and bathtub
Use it as a shower room on regular days, and bring in the fabric bath for special occasions. This flexibility transforms your bathing routine, allowing for quick showers on busy weekdays and leisurely baths on weekends. Removable bathtubs refresh your bathing habits.
2. New sensation of being enveloped by a soft bathtub
The fabric bath is made of a single piece of fabric with soft fibers and a waterproof film, gently wrapping your head and back. When filled with water, the weight tightens the edge ropes, ensuring stable and secure bathing.
3. Stretch out comfortably even in compact spaces
Unlike the typical 1216 size (1200 x 1600mm) unit baths, which require cramped postures with bent legs, bathtope enables a long bathtub of 1600mm where you can stretch out and relax. You can switch the space depending on your needs, creating a spacious atmosphere for comfortable showering when the bathtub is removed.
4. Expand the adjoining washroom space
Replacing a conventional 1616 size (1600 x 1600mm) unit bath with bathtope can expand the washroom area by 400mm. In type G, a slim, tempered glass sliding door further creates a sense of spaciousness by emphasizing the connection with the adjacent room.
5. Environmentally friendly with 26% water savings
The fabric bath, which embraces and fits the body, reduces water usage by approximately 26%* compared to the same 1600mm-sized FRP bathtub. The narrow width provides a comfortable fit, offering a unique bathing experience. Made mainly from polyester fabric and coated with polyurethane film for waterproofing, the different parts of the bath are designed for easy separation. The packaging is made of recyclable paper, considering resource circularity.
*Comparison of standard water usage between 190L for a conventional FRP bathtub (Minamo bathtub size 1600mm) and 140L for a fabric bath (size 1600mm).
■Product Overview of bathtope
・Product name : bathtope
・Category : System bath (Unit bath)
・Types :
＜Type E＞ Simple model 550,000 yen~ (excluding tax and installation costs)
＜Type S＞ Standard model 850,000 yen~ (excluding tax and installation costs)
＜Type G＞ Design model 2,000,000 yen~ (excluding tax and installation costs) tentative
・Bathroom size : 1200mm x 1600mm
・Fabric Bath Colors : Available in 5 colors
・Launch Date : November 26, 2024 (Type G to be available after Spring 2025)
・Sales Channels : Through agents, construction companies, housing firms, and the LIXIL Online Shop https://www.lixil-online.com/bathroom/reform/bathtope/. This product is sold in Japan only.