The bathroom, where you begin and end your day, often in quiet contemplation, is seeing many changes. During the long months of lockdown and pandemic chaos (online work and school-related for many of us), it became a refuge for harried parents and employees. Some of us rediscovered the one-hour bath, while others now had a good excuse to upgrade to a digital shower or even a whirlpool bathtub. This is where Kohler comes in. The American kitchen and bath products brand, which turns 150 next year, is known for its stylish shower systems. But it has also been studying bath habits across the world and has discovered in India a growing interest in contemporary style. Bruno Chenesseau, the brand’s Director of Design for India and Europe, has been working at the Kohler Innovation Centre (KIC) in Gurugram, in partnership with engineers and designers, to respond to these specific needs of Indian users. A former furniture and product designer, Chenesseau has spent 21 years at Kohler. He tells us how surveys and his understanding of new behaviours and shifting cultures have influenced his design thinking:
What have been some of your learnings here, and how has this changed Kohler products for India?
In most Indian apartments, the installation happens in a linear way across one wall — the shower, the grooming space and the toilet. Aesthetically, there’s a deep connection between contemporary design in India and in Europe. In the US — and even China — aesthetic choices tend to be very conservative and interiors are traditional and classic. Importantly, in India, there’s a strong link with modernism. You have a bigger appetite for colours and expression. But the minimalist and contemporary style is something that you are craving for. In our work with local artists for our new products, we have developed graphics that embrace a futuristic outlook, yet embedded with Indian elements.
