Breathing Bathtub by the young Chinese designer Li Xi wins the 3rd edition of the contest Jump the Gap

Last September 25, and coinciding with the opening of the 100% Design Exhibition in London, was unveiled the name of the winning project of the 3rd edition of the International Contest Jump the Gap, organized by Roca with the collaboration of BCD.

Among the 382 projects taking part in the contest, and the 11 shortlisted works, the jury chose the project Breathing Bathtub by the young Chinese designer Li Xi, who presented an innovative concept that turns bathing into a healthier experience for the users and is significantly more efficient in terms of energy and water consumption.
The bathtub is lined with a revolutionary material similar to a sponge. The material molds itself to the shape of the users, guaranteeing maximum comfort and as a consequence uses less than half the water used normally.  

As its name suggests, the Breathing Bathtub can breathe as the sponge material filters the water through a process similar to the osmosis of plants meaning that any impurity in the water becomes trapped in the lower layer of the lining, guaranteeing clean water and an important reduction in consumption. Another surprising characteristic of the bathtub's lining is the product feature indicating when the water should be renewed.
The list of finalists included projects from seven different countries: Spain, with three finalists, followed by China and Russia, with two. The Czech Republic, France, Poland and Portugal were the other countries of origin of the finalist projects.

John Pawson, president of the contest's jury, was in charge of announcing the name of the winning project in an excellent and enjoyable award ceremony attended by not only representatives from Roca but also members of the jury such as Chantal Hamaide, Director of the Intramuros magazine and Josep Congost, Director of the Roca Center Design.

All attending agreed that initiatives such as Jump the Gap help to raise the bar and see new proposals and working methods of the young emergent talent that's defining the future.

In the words of Pawson, "Architecture can be a very introspective process. When you are so intently focused on your own work, it is interesting to spend time looking at how other people are addressing some of the same questions. All of the projects which made the Jump the Gap shortlist had something, but, for me, the Breathing Bathtub stood out from the beginning, not least for the environmental intelligence of its design." 

In addition to John Pawson, the jury was composed of prominent figures within the fields of architecture and design and included Héctor Serrano, Carlos Ferrater, Josep Congost, Alfredo Häberli, Carlos Lamela, Alberto Meda and Chantal Haimade.

About Jump the Gap

Roca's belief in new talent is behind the creation of initiatives such as the International Design Contest Jump the Gap, organized in cooperation with the BCD (Barcelona Centre de Disseny) and the support of ICSID (International Council of Societies of Industrial Design). The contest targets young architects and designers, 35 years old or younger, and offers the winning project and its author the opportunity of international exposure. 

+ Information: www.jumpthegap.net