A Neoclassical Project for AD Intérieurs
In collaboration with Luce di Carrara, the Monegasque studio Humbert & Poyet created a neoclassical-inspired bathroom for the AD Intérieurs 2019 event. This project embodies their vision of discreet luxury—luxury expressed through timeless beauty, free from ostentation.
Known for their understated and refined approach, the duo designed a space that blends functionality with sophistication, creating an environment that evokes both elegance and restraint. The event, celebrating the fusion of design and craftsmanship, featured several international designers. However, Humbert & Poyet’s unique approach stood out for its seamless ability to merge the past and present in a natural, effortless way.
The Metamorphosis: Theme and Creative Process
The theme chosen for AD Intérieurs 2019 is “metamorphosis,” interpreted by the designers as a continuous process of transformation and change, both conceptually and materially. In design, metamorphosis is seen as a fluid transition between forms and materials, where nothing remains static, and everything evolves.
Humbert & Poyet translated this concept into a bathroom design that, through the use of noble materials such as marble and bronze, evokes the process of transformation. Marble, in particular, becomes a symbol of natural metamorphosis, evolving from sedimentary rock to precious stone through a millennia-long geological process—an idea that permeates the entire project.
Bespoke Kitchen
In designing the bathroom, Humbert & Poyet drew inspiration from Palladian villas, with architecture that celebrates symmetry and balance. The presence of arched niches, velvet-upholstered benches, and the freestanding Statuario Altissimo marble sink evoke neoclassical fountains and architectural elements, imbuing the space with a timeless elegance.
The choice of materials such as Verde Alpi marble for the bathtub and bronze for the shower, combined with their sculptural forms, makes a bold aesthetic statement. Each element in the room, despite its grandeur, is designed to complement rather than dominate, creating a harmonious and refined composition.
The play with materiality and imagination
Humbert & Poyet not only play with shapes but also with the materials themselves. Marble, bronze, and velvet are treated not as mere materials, but as protagonists in a narrative that transcends reality. Their creation seems to emerge from an imaginary world, a scene that defies physical laws, much like the metaphysical paintings of Giorgio De Chirico.
The bathroom thus transforms into a stage where material loses its solidity, giving way to a dreamlike atmosphere. The space becomes more than just a physical room—it evolves into a place where time and space blur, offering a sensory experience that invites reflection on the continuous transformation of all things.
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