Delos
Delos is a bathroom furniture line designed for seaside wellness hotels. Its features can transform the bathroom from a functional space into an experiential private mini-spa. The project was developed in collaboration with Alice Ceramica.
ROLE
Market research, user research, concept generation, development, presentation.
BRIEF
Design a brand new line of products for a chosen hôtellerie service in ceramic material, to be produced using industrial production techniques, for Alice Ceramica.
NOTES
The project was developed as a group for the Laboratorio di Sintesi Finale del Progetto (Final Synthesis Laboratory).
Alice Ceramica has been directly involved in the project, leading to consultations with the company's Designer and Marketing Manager and visits to Alice's showroom in Milan.
Preliminary Research
The initial market research immediately focused on seaside wellness hotels. This market segment proved to be:
Economically appealing
In Italy, by 2024, there were 458 million people involved in tourism, with a particular 26% growth in the luxury hotel niche.
Strategic
From a customer perspective, targeting foreign tourists (high spenders) and creating a home-like feeling for all customers by leveraging Alice Ceramica's simple, organic shapes.
Compatible
With the brand's formal philosophy, both aesthetically (the shapes of the existing furnishings are simple and highly suitable for hotels) and functionally (ease of cleaning, fundamental in hôtellerie).
And, therefore, an opportunity to expand in a rapidly growing sector through classic and new products for the company.
User Research
To better define the values on which to base the project, we created a Persona and a Journey Map based on our research and interviews.
Persona
Journey Map
Mission
At the end of this analysis, we were therefore able to precisely define our mission: DELOS is a collection designed for seaside wellness hotels, whose features can transform the bathroom from a functional space into an experiential private mini-spa.
Concept Generation
My initial proposal stuck as closely to the concept as possible: a wellness-centered collection, inspired by the shapes of bamboo and featuring both innovative pieces, such as an ofuro, a multifunctional stool, and a foot basin, as well as classic pieces. This proposal almost definetly outlined the category of objects to develop during the project.
Toghether, we then refined this lineup by defining the line's dominant formal element: emergence from the surface. The objects feature broad fillets at the base, or are slender upwards, following their characteristic curved trajectory.
Step by step, we defined the final product lineup and temporarily formalized each one of them: the development phase could then begin.
WC
Bidet
Sink
Ofuro
Stool
Foot Basin
Mirror
Accessories
Development
3D Modelling
The entire development of the line was based on parametric models made on Fusion 360, improved week by week until the final delivery.
Physical Prototyping
In addition, we decided to develop hybrid Physical models between 3D printing (derived from digital models) and plasticine, useful for quickly modifying the models and evaluating together the correctness of the proportions of each object. We even used a modified wooden mannequin to help us understanding the Ofuro's ergonomics and accessibility.
These physical models pointed out some accessibility issues with the tub, which was too high. To address the root of the problem, we lowered the entrance by a few centimeters and conceptually added a resin step, which could be implemented in case of difficulty entering the Ofuro. To dispel any doubts, we decided to create a usable 1:1 scale model of the object, complete with cardboard sections to outline the shape and a reinforced wooden base. This model proved once and for all that the Ofuro was accessible even without the additional step.
Final Output
WC & Bidet
Sink
Ofuro
Step
Stool
Foot Basin
Mirror
Accessories
Production Details
Ceramic Materials
Vitreous China for WC and bidet; its low porosity matches the hygene standards needed for those two pieces.
Fine Fire-Clay for sink, stool, foot basin, mirror and accessories; it is more porous, but it offers a much smaller shrinkage during the firing (5% to 12%) and a better load resistance.
Solid Surface
The ofuro and its step need to be made using Solid Surface, a synthetic material composed of mineral fillers (aluminum trihydrate, 60%), bonded with Biobased® natural resins (40%) derived from controlled corn cultivation; it is perfect for the creation of complex or big objects.
In particular, the step is characterized by a rough, rocky texture on the top, similar to many modern shower trays, in order to prevent slipping and, at the same time, give a natural, subtle, and pleasant tactile contrast.
Color and Finishing
Each object will be available exclusively in a matte finish for greater consistency with the resin pieces, which the company does not produce in a glossy version. The goal is to eliminate the material contrast between the different objects.
Why DELOS?
Compatibility
The collection remains faithful to the company's soul and innovates through simple, timeless shapes, without disrupting the production chain.
Opportunity
Wellness is the ideal sector for Alice Ceramica to expand its horizons: it's a growing sector and fits perfectly with the company's style.
Evolution
DELOS highlights the new direction taken by Alice Ceramica: it follows in the footsteps of recent signature collections to tell a story through a mix of classic and original products.