The Prefab Bathroom: An Architectural History

135 Pages·2014·109.926 MB·English

by  Deborah Schneiderman, Bishakh Kumar Som

The Prefab Bathroom:
An Architectural History
McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers, Jefferson, North Carolina
The Prefab Bathroom:
An Architectural History
Deborah Schneiderman and Bishakh Som
LibraryofCongressCataLoguing-in-PubLiCationData
Schneiderman, Deborah, 1968–
The prefab bathroom : an architectural history /
Deborah Schneiderman and Bishakh Som.
p.    cm.
includes bibliographical references and index.
♾
ISBN 978-0-7864-7600-8 (softcover : acid free paper)
ISBN 978-1-4766-1655-1 (ebook)
1. Prefabricated bathrooms—History—Comic books,
strips, etc.  I. Som, Bishakh, 1968–  II. Title.
TH6485.S36 2014       690'.42—dc23       2014032655
britishLibraryCataLoguingDataareavaiLabLe
© 2014 Deborah schneiderman and bishakh som. all rights reserved
No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form
or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying
or recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system,
without permission in writing from the publisher.
Cover illustration by bishakh Kumar som
Printed in the united states of america
McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers
Box 611, Jefferson, North Carolina 28640
www.mcfarlandpub.com
Table of Contents
acknowledgments vii
introduction 1
01 a brief history of the bathroom 3
02 buckminster fuller’s Dymaxion
Prefab Prototype 15
03 the influence of Modernism on
Prefab architecture 35
04 Plastic and Polyester 62
05 Prefab inside out 77
06 Prefab bathroom now 94
Conclusion 113
Prefab architects of note 114
bibliography 121
index 125
v
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Acknowledgments
Deborah acknowledges the faculty and administration of Pratt institute for their
encouragement. Myonggi sul for her inspiration. Mark Kessler for connecting us with
Mcfarland. and: My family—scott, Chloe, and eli Lizama for their love and support.
bishakh would like to send big love out to Joan, ollie and hazey for their forbearance,
support and editorial input.
vii
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Introduction
A
s one of the three significant regions of the prefabricated interior, along with the
kitchen and modular furniture, the bathroom offers valuable insight into important
design considerations of prefab architecture. the knowledge required to design a
bathroom is unique, with the room’s inherent ties not only to the realm of hygiene,
but also more broadly to culture. it is a room that must function as a sanitary space
while also serving as a sanctuary for relaxation.
as shown in The Prefab Bathroom: An Architectural History, the bathroom evolved to
become the ideal prototype and testing site for prefabrication technologies.
fortunately, the logistical and aesthetic challenges of designing a functional and
inviting bathroom caught the attention and imagination of modernist architects eager
to participate in the trend of prefabrication.
the contributions of these visionaries to the humble but complicated bathroom have
provided an antecedent for revolutionizing design throughout the built environment.
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