There is innovative research but also heritage, a constant drive towards experimentation with an eye to the past, in homage and contemplation. The new collection designed by architect Rodrigo Ohtake for Roca is an invitation to well-being, balancing tradition and modernity. The young Brazilian designer drew inspiration from the work of his father, Ruy Ohtake, to create two new washbasins and a bathtub that expand the Ohtake collection. A line of washbasins that has become iconic for Roca thanks to its organic design, inspired by the elements of nature – the sinuous curves of waves, the changing line of the horizon and the purest form of design, the egg. Similarly, the second generation takes up the idea of nature and applies it to the bathroom, following a trend that has long defined this room in the home, increasingly associated with the idea of intimacy, relaxation and harmony.
The new designs feature the soft curves that are the hallmark of the collection, but combined with reduced thicknesses and sculptural shapes. The two new washbasins are inspired by the elegant contours of the calla lily. Meanwhile, the bathtub, the collection’s flagship product, with its distinctive design, is reminiscent of Japanese Ofuro bathtubs: a compact design and integrated seat create an enveloping experience, complemented by eco-friendly accessories made from soy resin, including a side shelf and an access step that also serves as a stool.
The architect’s design process began with hand-sculpted models, which allowed the shapes to emerge intuitively through the exploration of materials that were as innovative as the manufacturing process itself. The washbasins are made from Fineceramic®, a material that can be moulded into slim shapes that are more resistant and lighter than traditional ceramic models. The new bathtub, on the other hand, is made of Stonex®, a high-performance material ideal for the bathroom environment thanks to its resistance and durability, but also to its textured finish, which gives the product outstanding anti-slip properties, and an outer layer that provides antibacterial properties.
There are also numerous finishes available that emphasise the profiles of the collection: white and matt white, matt black, onyx, coffee and beige for the washbasins, matt white and black for the bathtub, and a terracotta finish available in Brazil and on request worldwide. «I was very honoured, but I can’t deny that it was a challenge», says Rodrigo, who now runs his father’s studio. «He was my great teacher, and my architectural philosophy comes from him. The link with his legacy is maintained naturally, while I incorporate new influences to evolve architecture».
Thanks to this original and profound design, the new elements of the Ohtake collection have been awarded the Red Dot Design Award, Best in Show Revestir 2025 and the prestigious international iF AWARD, continuing the collection’s global recognition.
«Rodrigo has captured the essence of nature and the organic fluidity that characterises the original collection, adding his unique touch that reflects his vision and artistic sensibility», commented Marc Viardot, Corporate Director of Marketing and Design at the Roca Group. «Each piece in this collection is designed to create the perfect combination of beauty and functionality, using sustainable materials and eco-friendly manufacturing processes, in line with our mission to innovate in a responsible and sustainable way».
