In this book, we’ve rounded up bathrooms with transparent walls, which are better suited to those who take a more relaxed attitude to privacy at home.
In most homes, the bathroom is designed as a private space. But as the interiors below demonstrate, deciding not to encase a bathroom with opaque walls can bring in natural light, act as a space-saving device or even create an unusual focal point in the home.
This is the latest in our lookbook series, providing visual inspiration from the Dezeen archives. For more inspiration, check out our previous design guides featuring bathrooms with sunken bathtubs, subway tile, and double sinks.
House in Kyoto, Japan, by 07Beach
The bathroom inside this home in Kyoto, designed by architecture studio 07Beach, is located next to a living space that resembles a central courtyard that is lit to give residents the feeling of “open-air showering.”
“The house is designed as one large space, with the double-height living room placed in the center so they can see who is doing what,” the studio said. “Although a curtain screen has been installed in the bathroom just in case, the family appears to have become accustomed to the exposed bathroom, and is still using it without a curtain.”
Find out more about the house in Kyoto ›
Bath Yard Home, Spain, designed by Hosos
Madrid-based architecture studio Husos went further than just making the bathroom visible in this apartment, instead removing the dividing walls to make it the main common area of the house.
“The bathtub is a space whose character users can negotiate and change by sliding in transparent partitions and opening a folding seat,” the studio said.
Find out more about Bath Yard Home ›
Pink cat house, Taiwan, designed by KC Design Studio
This vacation home in Taiwan was designed by KC Design Studio to be a place for the owner to spend quality time with her three cats.
The bathroom is adjacent to the cat’s playroom via a wall consisting of a terrazzo base covered in pink glass, providing a view of what’s happening next door. In moments when additional privacy is desired, the glass can be darkened.
Find out more about Pink House for Cats ›
House in Nagoya, Japan, designed by Design Office
This house was completed by Japanese architecture studio Suppose Design Office in 2009 but is too good an example of a transparent bathroom to include on our list.
The main living space looks directly through glass walls into the bathroom across a landscaped area filled with rocks and plants.
Find out more about the house in Nagoya ›
Life, Japan, by I.N
Tokyo studio I IN has overhauled an apartment for Japanese developer Smarg in an attempt to change perceptions about renovation projects.
The apartment has an open layout and a cozy atmosphere. Partition walls made of reeded glass allow light into the windowless bathroom, as well as a distorted view of the other side.
Find out more about life ›
Mulberry Nights, Georgia, by Sandro Takaishvili
Georgian architect Sandro Takashvili wanted this hotel in Tbilisi to make its guests feel like they were inside a movie.
In the bedrooms, designed to evoke David Lynch’s visual style, the bathrooms are separated only by a slight change in level and the introduction of white tiles.
Find out more about Blueberry Nights ›
Vibo Tværveh, Denmark, designed by Valbæk Brørup Architects
The bathroom in this summer cabin designed by Copenhagen studio Valbæk Brørup Architects takes the form of a tiled wet room that can be opened to the elements.
Located at one end of the long building, it opens through sliding glass doors onto the outdoor bathing area – which is fenced off to avoid any passers-by being seriously shocked.
Find out more about Vibo Tværveh ›
This is the latest in our lookbook series, providing visual inspiration from the Dezeen archives. For more inspiration, check out our previous design guides featuring bathrooms with sunken bathtubs, subway tile, and double sinks.
