As luck would have it, just days after writing about Wheat Board, a real life application of the product fell into my lap. Bazzèo “earth friendly kitchen and baths” has released its latest line called Aquae. I hadn’t really thought of kitchens and baths being particularly “sustainable” beyond the appliances used within them, but anywhere there are finished surfaces, there’s an opportunity to lessen the impact on the environment. Having spent the bulk of my professional career working in high-end retail design, one realizes that the most exotic and expensive woods are coming from sources a “green” designer would scoff at.

Aquae Bath Collection. Designed by Bazzèo.

As a company, Bazzèo takes its environmental impact very seriously. Their factory practices “Zero Waste” resource management system, whereby all waste is reconstituted or recycled into new materials. All raw materials are toxic free, renewable and exceed all USGBC standards, meeting the LEED requirement of “Zero to No” off-gassing. The finishes are low-VOC or water based lacquers, applied under environmentally controlled conditions.Their partners are held to similar standards, with all natural wood finishes and veneers coming from certified and renewable resources.

Aquae Bath Collection has an earthy, Zen-like feel which seems relevant for contemporary culture, with the popularity of yoga and “organic” eating. The materials and shapes are in harmonious contrast, creating an almost three-dimensional painting in place of a bathroom. Aquae takes sustainable materials such as wheat-grass, (finished with a water-based, non-toxic tangerine lacquer), and makes them look elegant and rich. Other elements, such as the cabinet boxes, are made from 100% recycled, post-production wood waste with no-added formaldehyde. Lastly, the architectural wall panels are an Oak Eco-Veneer over compressed wheat grass core. The resulting space is clean, relaxing, and balanced in texture and tone. A final thoughtful touch is the self closing, handle-free drawers which eliminate slamming under the intense situations life brings.