Inside Bathco's Atelier....

Since Bathco decided to revive its old ceramic decoration workshop and turn it into an artistic space, 6 years have passed, marking a qualitative leap for the company in terms of innovation, creation, and maximum commitment to talent.

This workshop has now become its strongest statement of intent, one that clearly links it to the worlds of interior design, architecture, and art.

The six visual artists who make up the studio pour all their knowledge, passion, and artistic sensibility into each of the projects they create for the company’s clients. A creative space where disciplines intertwine—graphic design, painting, modeling, and more—enabling them to offer interior designers and architects unparalleled talent.

For the Emeric Minaya, director of Bathco Atelier, the workshop has experienced spectacular growth in recent years. We looked back on its early days with him and asked him about the present and the future.

How do you remember the early days of the Atelier?

It wasn't easy, and not because the company put up any obstacles for us; on the contrary, there were no limits. That was the big challenge and our greatest responsibility.

I remember those early days with great excitement but also a lot of uncertainty… We spent months of pure experimentation, exploring every possibility we could offer the workshop and Bathco’s customers. It wasn’t easy—and not because the company put any obstacles in our way; on the contrary, there were no limits. That was the great challenge and our greatest responsibility.

We had everything at our disposal: materials, the freedom to make proposals, the product, machinery… but we had to start from scratch and design something serious and authentic, rooted in art, without losing sight of the commercial perspective. The result today is a unique creative space that I believe is becoming a benchmark for many other brands.

How would you define the Atelier today?

Currently, the workshop consists of six people. For my colleagues and me, it’s hard to describe the workshop. I always say in conversations with clients that to truly appreciate the workshop’s capabilities and creative potential, you have to visit it.

As soon as you walk in, you can smell the paint, hear the sound of the brush, and even see how we shape the clay by hand to create sculptural pieces. And above all, we invite customers to touch and feel the textures we create for the sinks.

In fact, the kiln area is also quite unique. You can see the pieces throughout the entire process, both before and after firing…. All of this creates the perfect setting, which often serves as inspiration for the projects of interior designers, architects, or homeowners who visit the workshop.

And for those who can't get there. ¿How do you work with these clients?

Although it's always recommended to come, see, and touch... to be able to see the possibilities that exist and to share the needs of each project. It's not always possible. The daily whirlwind and the location of many of our clients often make it impossible. Let's not forget that Bathco has a significant presence in the international market.

But one of the changes the company has introduced this year is the implementation of new technology that has allowed us to hold high-quality online meetings and presentations right from the workshop.

It's not the same. The experience isn't the same. But it does allow us to open a small window into the workshop, where you can get a glimpse of some of our work. To be honest, this year they've become an essential tool for us and for the entire sales team.

What kind of work are you currently doing?

One of our daily tasks is the customization and finishing of sinks from our latest collection. Each sink is hand-painted to mimic different materials, colors, and finishes.

Right now, we’re producing 240 sinks for a client in the Netherlands in the Corten, Microcement, and Matte Black models. Each piece is unique and handcrafted by each of us, which gives you an idea of the scale of some of the orders they place and the volume of work involved.

But what we're passionate about are the ad hoc projects. When we have the opportunity to work side by side with interior designers or architects to develop a project, whether it’s for a new construction or a renovation. We all get to work… together. We meet, present a design proposal to the client, and then, once it’s approved, we move on to the manual or artisanal process.

Whether it’s creating a large mural or designing a specific pattern for a sink, everything requires a great deal of creative work beforehand. We’re currently in the midst of developing a showroom for one of our largest national distributors. It’s quite a challenge.

What was the last project you worked on?

The latest project we've undertaken is the design and production of fully customized murals and sinks for LA CONSENTIDA, a leisure venue in Santander.

We had the opportunity to work directly with Carmen, the creative director of Studio San Fernando, the interior design studio responsible for the project. And we immediately came to the conclusion that applying luminous paint to the sinks and walls of the bathrooms would fit the project perfectly.

If we look to the future, what awaits us at the Atelier?

Well, the truth is that we’re right in the middle of an expansion. A larger paint booth has recently been installed. And right now, company management is planning an expansion project for the Atelier. This will allow us to work with more space and incorporate new technologies that will open up other creative possibilities.

So, throughout 2022, the workshop will likely undergo a major expansion, though without losing its essence.