Azuma, Noorth by Milldue's delicate collection inspired by the Japanese bath

We present the Azuma collection by Noorth, Milldue's design brand, in its Azuma 19.01 composition. It takes the Japanese bath, in which nature is the central inspiration, as its reference, and combines forms and materials with delicacy: white Cristalplant, oak and cork.

In this article we look at the idea behind the collection and who designed it, the materials that define it, the pieces that make up the 19.01 composition, the dimensions of the washbasins and bathtub according to Noorth's data sheets, and some key points for incorporating it into a bathroom project.

A Japanese bath reinterpreted

Azuma is the work of Lievore Altherr, the Barcelona studio that now signs as Lievore + Altherr Désile Park. Noorth presented it as a new collection in March 2017 and described it as a minimal reinterpretation of the oriental bath, inspired by Japanese aesthetics and the tradition of onsen, the hot spring baths, without altering its nature.

The sides of the washbasins and the bathtub are inspired by a falling drop of water: they evolve from the circular upper rim towards square bases. The bathtub's resting surfaces recall pebbles smoothed by water, and the stools are essential volumes, like the rocks of a Zen garden. These are fluid forms that are only simple in appearance.

The collection grew in 2018 with new versions, components and finishes, which Noorth put on sale from September that year. Among them was the Rovere Fossil finish, which joined Rovere Mezza Fiamma and Poro Rovere Carbone.

Wood, Cristalplant and cork

Azuma plays with contrasting materials and forms: curved surfaces against orthogonal elements, the matt white of Cristalplant against the grain of oak and the porous texture of cork. The result is a carefully balanced, evocative and contemporary collection.

The washbasins and bathtub are made of Cristalplant, a synthetic material with a matt finish. According to Noorth's data sheet, it is compact and homogeneous throughout its thickness, so scratches, burns or persistent stains can be repaired by sanding with very fine abrasive paper. Wood appears in countertops, benches, coat stands, chairs and trays, and black cork in the Maki stools.

The Azuma 19.01 composition, piece by piece

The 19.01 composition, the one featured in these images, brings together almost every element of the collection in a single bathroom. According to Noorth's description, it includes:

• Washbasin: Azuma 58 countertop washbasin in Cristalplant, on a wall-hung countertop with folding drawers in Rovere Miele.
• Mirror: Air, with LED backlighting.
• Bathtub: Azuma, placed against the wall with a Cristalplant tap holder and Loto trays in Rovere Carbone.
• Bench and screen: Zen bench in Rovere Miele slats and Levante two-panel screen, one panel mirrored and the other in Rovere Miele slats or upholstered in fabric in the Sesamo finish.
• Toro series: chair in Rovere Carbone and wall-mounted coat rack in Rovere Miele.
• Stool: Maki, in black cork.

Accessories with oriental references

Noorth described the line's accessories as follows: the screens with vertical slats are placed wherever needed and, with sliding doors, work like theatre wings. The coat stand, also in wood, is an archetypal sign offered wall-mounted or freestanding, or as a high chair back or valet stand, a form reminiscent of the ancient seats of oriental dignitaries. The cork stools are geometric volumes that repeat the rising profile of the washbasins and bathtub.

Washbasins and bathtub: formats and dimensions

The table lists Azuma's sanitaryware with the dimensions published by Noorth in its data sheets and drawings. All are made in matt Cristalplant; the washbasin data sheets also list lacquered exterior options.

The Azuma 88 freestanding washbasin shows the idea behind the collection clearly: a cylinder that starts as a 44.6 cm circle and rests on a square base measuring 34.6 cm a side. It has one tap hole and, on request, is supplied without it.

Key points for specifying Azuma

Beyond aesthetics, these are the points to resolve at the design stage:

• Freestanding washbasin waste: the Azuma 88 data sheet provides for a floor or wall waste, so the connection should be fixed at the design stage. Its weight, 33 kg according to the data sheet, also matters when planning the installation.
• Taps: the Azuma 58 is combined with wall-mounted or deck-mounted taps, and the freestanding bathtub with floor-standing taps or taps mounted on its rear volume. Noorth pairs the composition with taps from its Flow series.
• Space around the bathtub: at 170 cm long with a 50 cm high rim, it is a piece seen from all sides. Its position and that of the waste must be fixed before the floor is finalised.
• Cristalplant maintenance: Noorth recommends cleaning it with soap and water and avoiding strong acids and bases, acetone, chlorinated solvents and paint products.
• A complete project: washbasins, bathtub, bench, screen, coat racks and stools share the same language, so the whole bathroom can be resolved with a single collection.

Noorth, Milldue's design brand

Noorth is the design project of Milldue, a family-owned bathroom furniture company based in Castelfranco Veneto (Treviso), which launched it in 2016 at the Salone del Bagno in Milan. Its collection combines modular systems with a wide range of washbasins and accessories, and it works with designers of different sensibilities, such as Giuseppe Bavuso, Michele Marcon and Lievore Altherr, who also designed the Roma collection.

At the Matter material library we help you plan the whole bathroom: the sanitaryware, the furniture and the surfaces that go with it. If you would like to know more about Noorth's Azuma collection, contact us or book your visit.