"Nature's Answer" by Jim Childress
“Nature’s Answer” has just joined “Nature’s Call,” the “Blue Loo,” and assorted other partner-designed bathrooms here at the home office. All, save one, affords a unique sedentary experience.
Jeff Riley's "Nature's Call"
For example, take Jeff Riley’s Nature’s Call. One hasn’t lived until one has powdered one’s nose in front of a wide-screen, high-definition color television screening continuous nature programming, as an example, a monstrously malevolent crocodile dispatching a vegetarian wildebeest that is minding its own business at the waterhole.
All this natural excitement is clad, Maine camp-like, in cedar boards and topped with a backlit scrim ceiling adorned with a bald eagle in flight. The floor is fashioned from beach pebbles, and for literary sorts a nature poem by the architect is inscribed on the wall above the TV.
The transformation of borderline scary factory bathrooms at Centerbrook’s 19th century mill complex took about five years and was done in-house to keep costs down – and to have some good clean fun. Not incidentally, sustainable plumbing fixtures and systems are being tested and evaluated.
Chad Floyd's "Blue Loo"
The choices are now diverse, and mood as much as occupancy can be the deciding factor. Chad Floyd’s Blue Loo (standing room only) proffers a kinder, gentler, soft-lit venue complete with the kinetic whoosh of a gigantic exhaust fan, roughly the size of a B-17 propeller, located on the far wall and activated by a motion sensor. Retro and manly manhole covers on the floor put an exclamation point on what might be a college dance den in a spruced-up dorm basement. It, like, totally rocks.
The initial designer privy was conceived and largely constructed by Bill Grover, now partner emeritus, who saved money on decorating by using orange weed-whacker line to accent the black ceiling, along with bits of mirror serving as trim high on the walls. A handy corner shelf for publications is a welcome touch, as are two facing, long and narrow mirrors, one over the sink, that provide the “infinity” reflection effect, giving the smallish room a playful sense of depth.
Mark Simon's "Infinatory"
The accessible bathroom designed by Mark Simon evinces a wavy theme, from the mesmerizing tile pattern he devised for the floor to the translucent strips hanging hammock-like from the ceiling that double as light diffusers. The required handrail serves its purpose, and then loops dramatically towards the ceiling and the floor like a fly-fishing line in midflight. The two large facing mirrors gently modify the infinity effect, with each successive reflection bending slightly to the left. A cautionary inscription on the glass reads: “Objects in the mirror may be closer than they appear.”
Inspired by the rhythms, colors and shapes of the great outdoors, Nature’s Answer is Jim Childress’ entry in la salle de bains sweepstakes. It is a soothing blend of natural materials and evocative forms, some explicit, others subtle. The every-which-way maple and cherry flooring, like fallen forest branches, gives way to light yellow, old-school plaster walls, which are punctuated by four narrow, vertical (but not perpendicular) tree-like channels backlit with strips of tiny, energy efficient points of LED lighting. In addition to being decorative and bright, the channels serve as ventilation pathways.
"Nature's Answer"
Across the room, the copper-edged, angular vanity top is adorned with a brightly colored mosaic of wind-blown Aspen leaves, which were crafted by local artist Tracye Mueller. Set in the middle (more or less since there is no middle per se) is a translucent sink the color of purple mountain majesties. Lit from above, it magically reflects the tile mosaic below. The sloping copper faucet, which looks like it was pinched from an outdoor hand pump, is activated by the electro-magnet power of the human hand; the water flows gently, like a mountain brook in late summer. The mirror is a long thin strip of glass; like most things in the room (and in nature), it eschews right angles.
Cattycornered from the sink and hanging from the ceiling, is the “Bees’ Nest.” This goodly sized wooden construct, whose rounded exterior evokes a woven splint basket, was conceived and crafted by facilities manager Bill Rutan to be the hand-towel dispenser. “Can Do” Bill did the entire room, except for the plastering, based on drawings by senior architect Anita Macagno, who coordinated the project, interpreting Jim’s ideas and working with Bill on how best to implement them. Sheryl Milardo, Librarian/Product Resources, researched and procured the distinctive fixtures and other elements to outfit the space and make it sparkle.
I almost forgot. The toilet is standard issue, porcelain, except the tank is hidden inside the bathroom wall – a European conceit. Two large push plates behind the throne save water by offering two flushing options: either 1.6 or .8 gallons.
Jim says he was inspired to design the light channels in the new loo by how wispy Aspen trees move and change angles in relation to one another in the wind. Other features evolved from this notion. Bill suggested – and not without solid reasons – the name “Angle-arium” for our newest water closet: acute and obtuse angles abound, as well they should.
It was a team effort, for sure. Nature’s Answer opened without ceremony, although there had been some talk about holding a raffle to determine who would have the first crack at it.
