Custom tubs

The client is going to replace his previous american made wooden tub which is leaking.
The tub is recessed in the ground so this tub matches the size exactly.
(Of course wood swells and contracts according to the seasons and air humidity so the dimensions allow for some clearance.)

I think we exchanged 3 mails with the client: he had some questions about the thickness of the planks and the corner joint construction to compare with his present tub.
It was very pleasant to deal with him as his words were precise (even without using specialized terms) and his purpose was clear. I imagine he is very busy businessman but very efficient with his time.
This inspires me to be more focused and calm when taking decisions!

1)About the issue of the thickness of the planks, I added a FAQ which I hope may be of reference to those of you with the same doubt. -> https://bartokdesign.com/9-faqcomment/about-the-thickness-of-planks.php

2)For the latter, I addressed him to our videos corner in the “reference” section: https://youtu.be/ZDesC_Bk4iA

And here are the specs for this project:

material: natural Japanese Hinoki AB grade bathtub (quarter sawn)
sizes: L1219mm x W660 x H710mm (ext. dim.) – depth 620mm
details: nat. oil apron, wood dowels. Iron brand on both sides
options: Hinoki wood traditional cover 680x203x18 (6pcs)

Let me post here again a technical note about our mail server: we had some mail problems: for some reason, some emails I send to hotmail or gmail accounts are rejected without error messages. (I wonder if it is a keyword-based spam filter: some mails get thru, some don`t…). I am working on it. Meanwhile, if you are having problems in reaching us: please use my alternative mail address: iax1213 at gmail com.

Everything started from a very kind and warm mail from a couple who “spent a little time in rural Japan and came to love the entire experience of Japanese bathing.”
We supplied some alternative quotes for asnaro and hinoki wood.

Here is a picture of the back side (scroll below to see the front side and accessories)

Here is a photo of the immaculate interior with the drain along the long side (quite rare detail but actually very smart if you consider 2 people using the tub together):

Here are the specs for the project:
material: natural Japanese Asnaro AB grade bathtub (quarter sawn)
sizes: L1300mm x W760 x H660mm (ext. dim.) – depth 565mm
details: nat. oil apron, wood dowels. Iron brand at front side top-right
option: ball-type drain plug

accessories:
– Asnaro wood tray 840x350x21 (apparently the client likes to read books while soaking! They must have found the secret of how to reach happiness while on this world!)
– Hinoki wood traditional stool (300x180x200H)
– Sawara wood large bucket（230D　120H）
– Asnaro wood floor grate 1440 x 900x H55mm (split in 2)

A technical note: we had some mail problems: for some reason, some emails I send to hotmail or gmail accounts are rejected without error messages. (I wonder if it is a keyword-based spam filter: some mails get thru, some don`t…)

Anyway we could happily catch-up thru my personal gmail account (iax1213 at gmail com).
Everybody who has having problems in reaching us: please use the mail above.

This tub was ordered by an architecture office based in HK for a residential project.
The size was modified from 1400mm to 1200mm and the material from hinoki to sawara cypress to obtain the best cost-performance.

Sawara is a japanese cypress, similar to hinoki but slightly more orangeish in color (hinoki is white/pink).
It is easy to work with and soft enough so that the metal straps can make a good grip.
Also, the length of the planks match a Sawara standard so the tub is reasonable with an excellent performance.
To use a Japanese expression, for a barrel type tub, Sawara is the “Right man in the right place”

The tub has a bench for 1/3 of the perimeter.

Here are the specs:
material: natural Japanese Sawara AB grade bathtub (knotless)
sizes: Dia 1200mm x H700 (ext. dim.) x D590mm (internal depth)
details: twisted stainless steel band. Iron brand at top-center
options: Sawara wood internal seat W285mm (1/3 of perimeter)

accessories:
– Sawara wood lid with handles (2 pcs)
– Asnaro wood stool (330x220x300H)
– Sawara wood ladle with handle (180D 290H)
– Sawara wood large bucket（230D 120H）

– Hinoki wood floor mounted spout (photo here below)

The clients visited our warehouse in Chiba in 2014 together with their interior designer.
We had several exchanges of mails as their renovation was being implemented.
And the result is a luxuriously well proportioned ofuro we are extremely proud of!

The spacious interior with 2 removable benches looks like gold as the spotless quarter-sawn hinoki returns the light with warm reflections. Can you imagine it filled with steamy hot water?
I am sure that in heaven there is an ofuro like this, as a prize for the chosen ones…!

here below are the specs and the photo with the accessories:

• material: natural Japanese knotless hinoki bathtub (quartersawn)
• sizes: L1600mm x W800mm x H650mm (ext. dim.) 550mm (deep)
• details: wooden dowels, oil finish apron, iron brand at top right
• optons: hinoki wood internal seats W400mm
• accessories: hinoki wood stool (330x220x300H), sawara wood ladle with handle (180D 290H), sawara wood  large bucket（230D　120H）

The clients of this ofuro actually visited our showroom in Chiba in november of last year.
With german-like precision every piece of their plan come together as per scheduled and we are now ready to ship this fragrant bathtub and accessories!

We had to supply a smaller drain socket to comply with the local plumbing regulations (limitation on maximum flow capacity). Also, we raised the base under the tub as required by the plumber to make the connection.

The tub has the Bartok design brand both on front and back (freestanding layout) and is equipped with floor grating, stool, buckets and a step for easy access/egress from the tub.

On the client`s requests we also provided a plank that can be used as a table while taking a tub. Because the clients are enthusiastic fan of Japan, I am sure they read books on this table, will use it to place their sake cups, maybe even will have their sushi-dinner while soaking in the ofuro!

We also provided a coordinated vanity counter (photo here below). They will complement it with faucet and sink: I am looking forward to the pictures of the actual installation!

finally, here are the specs :

material: natural Japanese Hinoki AB grade bathtub (quarter sawn) t35mm
sizes: L1400mm x W750 x H695mm (ext. dim.) – depth 590mm
details: copper apron, wood dowels. Iron brand on both sides
options:

• Hinoki wood tray 830x350x21
• Hinoki wood floor grate panel (1400x450xH55mm) 1pc, (350x350xH120mm) 1pc
• Complimentary hygrometer
• Asnaro wood stool (330x220x300H):
• Sawara wood ladle with handle (180D 290H)
• Sawara wood large bucket（230D 120H）:
• Hinoki wood for basin counter 1750x600x t35mm (H70 front)

Compact and cute asnaro bathtub ordered thru an architectural office in Texas.
From the first request of information to shipping it took 1 month exactly so I can say it was a smooth order process.
The client is going to use it in a master bathroom remodel and after the initial quotation, we modified the corner joints from metal plates to wooden dowels and added an overflow cut on the short side.

Here below are the specs of the tub:

material: natural Japanese Asnaro AB grade bathtub (quarter sawn)
sizes: L900mm x W700 x H710mm (ext. dim.)
note: natural oil apron, wood dowels. Iron brand at front side top-right
accessories:
– Asnaro wood internal seat W300mm
– Asnaro wood traditional cover 720x180x18 (5pcs)
– Sawara wood ladle with handle (180D 290H)
– Sawara wood large bucket（230D　120H）:
– Hinoki wood traditional stool (300x180x200H)