Japanese product design group LIXIL has launched a fold-away bathtub at Designart Tokyo, cut from a single piece of waterproof textile that can be hung up like a hammock or stowed away "according to your mood".
Bathtope follows the rectangular form of a traditional tub but is crafted from sandy-hued fabric that can be rolled up and stored in a cardboard tube when not in use.
LIXIL sought to emulate paper origami when creating the product, which can be suspended from hooks mounted to the walls of a domestic shower room and filled with up to 140 litres of hot or cold water.
"This allows users to switch between a shower and a bathtub in a limited space according to their mood," the company said.
LIXIL created the product to suit compact living spaces across Japan and beyond, in the hopes that Bathtope will offer more people the opportunity to have a bath at home.
Bathtope is made from a single piece of woven polyester coated with a polyurethane film, which makes it waterproof.
The designers chose to cut the bathtub from a single piece of fabric to minimise potential leaks that could arise from stitching multiple textiles together.
Unlike a solid bathtub, Bathtope was designed to hug the body when filled with water.
As a result, the fabric bath can save up to 60 litres of water compared to a conventional tub of a similar size, which according to the company uses up to 200 litres of water. Bathtope is drained via a built-in plug.
LIXIL also claims that the softness of the textile creates a more comfortable bathing experience.
"Bathtope is unique in its elasticity and buoyancy, supporting a relaxed posture," explained the design group.
Other unusual bathtub designs that have been featured on Dezeen include a version made from woven wood veneer by Israeli designer Tal Engel and Maren Hartveld's squidgy foam rubber tub that is "soft and warm, and comfortable like a sofa".
The photography is by LIXIL.
Design Art Tokyo 2024 took place from 18 to 27 October 2024 at various locations across Tokyo, Japan. See Dezeen Events Guide for more architecture and design events around the world.