Not long ago, wellness was something people stepped out to seek. Today, it is increasingly something they expect to find at home. Across Indian cities, private spaces are being reimagined as quiet counters to crowded schedules and hyper-connected lives. The bedroom, the living room, and especially the bathroom are no longer just functional zones. They are becoming places to pause, reset, and recover.
This shift framed the conversation at an exclusive design summit hosted by GROHE, where architects, designers, and industry leaders gathered to explore how ideas of luxury are changing. The focus was not excess or display, but comfort, choice, and deeply personal experiences. Moderated by actor and host Kubbra Sait, the evening unfolded more like a design dialogue than a traditional product launch.
A Design Summit That Felt Like a Gallery
Set within immersive installations, the GROHE summit invited guests to experience design rather than simply observe it. Architects and retail partners moved through experiential zones that encouraged them to think of water as an element to be composed, not merely controlled. The atmosphere was intentionally reflective, closer to an art gallery than a brand showcase.
At the heart of the evening was a simple idea: luxury today is about how a space makes you feel, not how loudly it announces itself. This philosophy guided the discussions, installations, and product presentations, all of which pointed toward a more thoughtful, human-centred approach to design.
From Products to Personal Rituals
Celebrity interior designer Gauri Khan articulated this change clearly. For her, the bathroom has moved beyond standard layouts and predictable fittings. Clients are no longer asking for features alone. They are asking for experiences.
The idea of a “one-size-fits-all” bathroom, she noted, no longer holds relevance. Instead, homeowners want to shape how water flows, where it falls, and how it interacts with light, surfaces, and mood. A shower is no longer just a utility. It is a daily ritual, carefully choreographed to suit individual preferences and lifestyles. In this context, luxury becomes freedom: the freedom to personalise, adapt, and express oneself through space.
Modularity and the Architect’s Freedom
This emphasis on personalisation was brought to life through GROHE SPA collections like Rainshower Aqua and Grohtherm Aqua. Rather than being presented as fixed fittings, these systems were shown as modular tools that architects can use creatively.
Architect Rajiv Parekh of Red Architects spoke about what this means in practice. Modular systems allow designers to place water outlets across ceilings, walls, or side panels, responding to the geometry and character of each space. The engineering stays discreet, while the experience feels seamless and intentional. For architects, this flexibility supports a larger goal: creating spaces that can evolve as clients and their needs change over time.
The Rise of Bespoke Luxury in India
Adding a market perspective, Priya Rustogi, Leader and Managing Director for India at LIXIL IMEA, reflected on how Indian homeowners are redefining private space. In a world that rarely slows down, the bathroom has emerged as a rare zone of solitude. Here, wellness is not an abstract concept but a physical, sensory experience shaped by water, temperature, sound, and flow.
This thinking was echoed during a fireside conversation featuring Gauri Khan, Rajiv Parekh, and Bijoy Mohan of LIXIL International. Together, they discussed how modern Indian bathrooms are increasingly designed as individually curated sanctuaries. Not replicas of hotel suites, but personal retreats shaped by habit, emotion, and intent.
Designing for Experience, Not Display
The GROHE design summit ultimately reflected a broader shift in premium living. Luxury is moving away from bold statements and toward refined details. It is less about what is seen and more about what is felt. As homes take on the role of personal wellness retreats, bathrooms are leading the way, proving that the most meaningful design often begins with the most private spaces.
