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Knotty tub for swiss architect

As mentioned in the title, a swiss young architecture office ordered this ofuro.
Their design is very clean and they pay great attention to the texture and coordination of few, accurately chosen materials. We feel honored that they chose a Bartok design tub for their new project!

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The pattern of the knots is random as the carpenter has to give precedence to the orientation of the grain and width of the planks when selecting the material.
From this point of view, even more than straight wood tubs, a knotty hinoki ofuro is unique and unrepeatable.

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Here are some of the main details:
material: japanese knotty hinoki wood rectangular bathtub – L joints
size: L1200mm x W750mm x H700mm (ext. dim.) 580mm (deep)
details: copper apron, wooden dowels @ joints. Iron brand at back left

Another point that can be mentioned for future reference is that even if the site is in Basel,
it was more convenient to ship the tub thru Geneve rather than thru Zurich (air freight).

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I am looking forward to seeing it in its new home!

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For those interested in building or renovating a house with stunning design, here are the contact information of the Swiss architect:
Jaeger Koechlin Architekten ETH SIA
Zwingerstrasse 12 | CH-4053 Basel
T: +41 61 683 21 21 F: +41 61 683 21 22
www.jaegerkoechlin.ch

larger tub … for Seattle

Last year we made a tub for a client in Washington state.
In january, we received a kind mail saying that they were getting back in touch to order a larger tub.
“I love the original tub that I ordered last year, but it is too small for two tall adults! I am now embarking on building a small tub pavilion and will install a larger tub inside. I have attached drawings here so you can review them. I am excited to create the space to hold one of your beautiful tubs!”

I think that an ofuro is not a typical product for repeaters and we were really pleased and honored to receive a second order.

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The new tub is really gorgeous and I think I would give my right arm to be able to see the pavilion in which it will be installed!

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We made the client wait 60 days because we had several orders and we have only one craftsman (Mr. Wada) able to deal with such a large tub.
It takes him about 15 days to laminate and assemble one tub and it took him 3 full weeks for this one.

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The bench will be assembled on site, so we are including the pre-cut material and metal fittings.

Here below are the specs of the tub:

material: Knotless asnaro wood
sizes: L1600mm x W1422mm x H762mm (ext. dim.) 660mm(deep)
details: copper apron, wood dowels @ joints. Iron brand at front top-right
accessories:
– Hinoki wood int. seat W400mm w/ material for guides (unmounted)
– Asnaro wood traditional cover 1442x228x21 (7pcs)
– Asnaro wood floor mounted spout type E (without faucet)
– complementary Hygrometer

slow life on the express lane

Well, it is not the best title I could come up with, but with some explanation, I hope you get what I want to say.

This is probably the fastest order we fulfilled until now.
The client contacted us on march 4th by email: “How fast could I get it to Montana in the United States? I would like to purchase it as soon as possible. Thank you so much for your time and I look forward to hearing from you!”
On march 31 the tub arrived to destination. In these cases we recommend payment with Paypal.

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The tub is a Kadomaru model 930mm x 630mm size tub.
The order includes also a wall mounted wooden spout.

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Recently we made an agreement with DHL and in case of the “Kadomaru” the shipping service becomes very rapid and reasonable.
Other advantages are that we can use a cardboard box (cost redution) and DHL picks up at our warehouse so we do not incut in any additional cost for delivering to the airport.
Feel free to contact us for more information!

another tub for Paris

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Well, the problem of this tub is that it is so large that it doesn`t fit in the viewfinder!
We received a second order from the Parisian architect and cabinet maker we worked with in 2009. He contacted us because he is now designing another japanese style bathroom.
I am looking forward to seeing this new work as he is a master in matching stunning design with traditional sensitivity.

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We could not find a single trunk for the top border as in 2009. We though we found one suitable lumber but it was faulty in the inner part.
In the end we opted for a hagi-zai kamachi (2 thick planks laminated side by side) giving priority to the quality and clarity of the grain.

Here are the specs of the ofuro:

material: Knotless asnaro wood bathtub top border wide kamachi
size: L1800mm x W1600mm x H538mm (int. dim.) – 625 mm high
details: nat. oil apron, wood dowels @ joints. Iron brand at front top-right
options: Asnaro wood internal seat W400mm
accessories: Asnaro wood floor mounted spout

If you are interested in contacting the architect in Paris A.K. please let me know.
—–> japan@bartokdesign.com

KADOMARU ON THE BALCONY

Model/material: japanese Knotless Sawara cypress wood bathtub with cover
Sizes: L930mm x W630mm x 740mm (630mm deep)
Note: stainless steel wire bands. Iron brand at front top-right
Accessories: Hygrometer
Drain vinyl hose 1.2m

about the payment

If I place the order, what deposit would you require and how would you take payment? I assume the balance of the price would be payable on delivery of the items?

The advance payment is 50% of the custom items (tub and platform). The balance will be the left 50% + cost of packaging, transport fee.
The payments can be done with a international bank transfer to our bank in Japan or by credit card thru Paypal.
In case of the bank transfer there will be a 6500 JPY bank fee per transaction. In case of Paypal a 4% fee on the total of each payment.
the balance payment is done before the shipping. Once the tub is completed, we will send the pictures for your verification and approval.
If you are satisfied and we can proceed with the packaging, at that point we will need the balance payment before shipping.
We just have a limited margin on this product and we cannot afford to take any risk on the payment of the tub.

testing the tub

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This is the photo of the tub we shipped to Vancouver being installed.
For me being used to cramped japanese residences with small rooms and “virtual” gardens it is always a nice surprise to see the generosity of space of an american home…
Also it is always a fresh surprise for me to see the same tub that I saw last month in the hands of our carpenter Wada-san while he was drinking tea… The tub is now in a completely different reality, surrounded by smiling westerner`s faces…
There is maybe a positive side to globalization, where people living 10000 miles away from Japan can put in our homes a real Japanese bathtub, made by hand by an experienced (and sometimes a little grumpy) japanese craftsman!

TUB RENOVATION FOR SINGAPORE

Here are the specs:
Model/material: japanese knotless hinoki wood bathtub with both short sides slanted
Sizes: L1470mm x W700mm x H590mm (526mm deep)
Option: Additional depth 40mm (486mm →526mm)
Accessories: Pocket onsen set (hinoki wood balls and aroma oil)
Hinoki wood cover 720x460x21thick (3pcs) with joists below Hygrometer

kitchens and baths magazine

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Just a brief note to say that Bartok design Japan has been featured on an american specialized magazine.
There is just a short article in the “free standing baths” sections, but if you have the chance to grab a copy, do not miss it out!

Comments about Anke`s book

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Here below are some comments I received to my newsletter introducing Anke`s book last saturday:


1) Dear Iacopo, I am very interested. Best! T.


2) Dear Iacopo,
Thank you for passing on the information about Anke’s book. I would like to buy two copies of the book.
One for my mother for her 73rd birthday in April. She has visited Japan a few times and we have travelled together as she does not speak Japanese. She adores Japan, I think this would be a lovely gift.
And one for my parents in law who visited us in Japan once and still refer to it as the best holiday/cultural experience of their lifetime!
Thanks again,
J


3) Hi Iacopo
This is an excellent idea to share this book with us !
I would be very happy to see it and more than that, I would like to offer it to a young couple, just married, who are planning a wedding trip to Japan. I’m quite sure they will love it !
I would then be grateful if you could forward my mail to Anke
We still enjoy a lot the bath tub !
With best regards
B.


4) Hello
Many thanks for this information.
I would love to order a copy of this beautiful book from Anke.
Please forward her my details.
Best wishes,
F.


5) Beautiful!
Thank you for sharing, iacopo
Would like to see a few more pages/spreads.
With regards from Italy
g


6) Hello, thank you for reviewing this book.
I would love to contact Anke to buy a copy.
Thank you
B.


7) I would be very interested in purchasing a copy of Anke’s book. Do you think she would sign them if we asked her very nicely?
With best wishes,
M.


comment from Anke)
Dear Iacopo.
Seven incoming E-mails from Bartok design Japan – entirely unexpected – entirely surprising.
When I opend it with my sumi-E on top, your book review and a picture of the Tottori -Sakyu section, I can hardly describe my feelings – dumpfounded – humble – excited – appreciative – happy.
I do accept your work gratefully and like to thank you very much for your enthusiastic , very kind , moving and touching description. It was just overwhelming – even to read the spontaneous answers of your clients together with a book order.
Like you said “we all share the passion for the japanese aesthetics, the profound naturality, the addictive simplicity of the japanese traditional culture”, we are obviously soul – mates.
Not like friends and acquaintances who didn’t appreciate it that much I think (lack of understanding shown for my interests or for Japan in general). Well, human frailities like envy may play a part too, since I just do what I like to do and mind and body have not reached my biological age.
With pleasure I am going to send your customers an E- mail, ask for their addresses , send them a book and just hope they will like it.
Thank you again
Anke


Reply from Iacopo)
Dear Anke:
You are welcome.
When I sent my greeting card last Christmas to previous customers and received many kind answers, I had the realization I can be the binding agent for a wonderful community of people who share the same passion.
I feel my mission is to connect these friends, like a bridge connects the two sides of a river.
I am glad I could connect to you some alike minds who are interested in your work. At the same time, by reviewing your book I know I gave many people a smile and this is even more important for me! (forgive my sincerity…)
All the Best//
iacopo


8) Good morning Sir
I would like to order 3 copies of this book.
Thank you for this email and for sharing your gift.
J.


9) Joli message de Iacopo…
qui ne pense pas qu’à ses baignoires…
J’aime beaucoup…

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