Gabellini Sheppard
The Ritual of Pause
Throughout history and across cultures, the act of bathing has represented more than mere cleansing. From the thermae of Ancient Rome and hammams of the early Islamic world to modern bathroom sanctuaries, dedicated spaces for water have offered moments of pause, reflection and sensory pleasure.
Redefining moments of calm
Drawing on this rich tradition, New York-based studio Gabellini Sheppard has created a bathroom concept for AXOR that reinterprets the culture of bathing for contemporary living, offering intentional moments without hurry. Centered on AXOR Archivio, the new collection by Barber Osgerby, the concept encourages a slower, more reflective water experience—one in which everyday acts become opportunities for ritual and restoration.
The art of thoughtful design
Gabellini Sheppard’s design expresses luxury through proportion, materiality, craftsmanship and atmosphere. Inspired by the harmony of classical architecture, the interior remains contemporary in its sense of restraint, replacing ornament with carefully composed forms and a palette of softly veined marble, warm wood paneling, cast glass and brushed metal. Treated as a material, light moves gently across surfaces, revealing depth, texture and detail. The result “is a strong emotional atmosphere” that “intentionally slows the experience of the user, transforming routine daily gestures into elevated moments of comfort and reflection.”
The bathroom unfolds as a sequence of distinct yet connected settings, each offering its own atmosphere while contributing to a coherent whole. Moving through the space, the user experiences it as a gradual unfolding rather than as a succession of functions. Framed by vertically grooved stone, a freestanding bath creates a subtle sense of enclosure, while a cast-glass screen filters daylight through the shower, softening transitions without interrupting the openness of the space.
At the double vanity, generous marble surfaces, warm timber and integrated lighting invite one to linger and luxuriate. Water, light and material remain in constant dialogue, creating what Gabellini Sheppard describe as an atmosphere of “calm composure,” where “time appears slowed and gestures become intentional.” Ritual, reflection and restoration become part of the rhythm of everyday life.
Reimagining tradition
AXOR Archivio gives physical expression to the guiding idea behind Gabellini Sheppard’s bathroom concept. Throughout the space, the collection’s distinctive cross handles establish a tangible connection between past and present, recalling the heritage of classic bath fittings and the timeless act of drawing water, all while expressing it in a distinctly contemporary form. “We viewed the fixture not simply as hardware, but as a ritual object that anchors the emotional and sensory experience of the space.”
Harmony in every detail
Finished in Brushed Nickel, AXOR Archivio lends visual continuity to every point of interaction in the bathroom, from the three-hole basin faucets at the double vanity to the freestanding bath faucet to the shower. Fitted with an AXOR 240 1jet overhead shower, two-function thermostatic module with cross handles, porter unit and 1jet handheld shower, the shower area offers further opportunity to slow down, disconnect from distractions, and enjoy moments of intention and tranquility. AXOR Universal Circular Accessories in Brushed Nickel perfectly complement the calm, refined aesthetic of the AXOR Archivio collection.
By interpreting the bathroom not simply as utilitarian space but as a private sanctuary, Gabellini Sheppard’s concept enables moments of meaningful pause within the rhythm of contemporary life. Through architecture, light, materials and the anchoring presence of AXOR Archivio, the space transforms everyday encounters with water into moments of reflection, restoration and quiet pleasure, reaffirming the act of bathing as one of the home’s most enduring and meaningful rituals.
About Gabellini Sheppard
Sculpting with light, space and material, the acclaimed architecture and interior design studio Gabellini Sheppard has built an international reputation for work distinguished by elevated simplicity, refined craftsmanship, and spatial harmony. Founded in 1991 and led by Partners Michael Gabellini, Kimberly Sheppard, Silvia Maffei, and Colin Martin, the New York-based firm has realized projects across North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, spanning exceptional private residences, luxury residential developments, landmark public spaces, and signature retail, hospitality, and workspace environments.
Project Team/credits:
Michael Gabellini, Founding Partner
Silvia Maffei, Partner & Leading Designer
Kentaro Ishihara, Senior Associate - Product & Merchandising Design Director
Tomoko Hirose, Senior Associate - Senior Interior Designer
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