San Francisco Residential Architect Garners Attention with ‘Steampunk’ Bathroom

(c) Andre Rothblatt

The “steampunk”-inspired bathroom by San Francisco architect Andre Rothblatt has an exaggerated, even fantastical, Victorian Era feel that exemplifies the new design trend.

The modern aesthetic—simple, clean, functional—has long been dominant in interior design. But San Francisco residential architect Andre Rothblatt has recently seen the rise in popularity of a very different style, often referred to as “steampunk.” What is steampunk? It’s a look that takes inspiration from the futuristic imaginings of the Gilded Age, a steam-powered fantasy of complex piping, gears and gauges. Rothblatt recently completed a steampunk-style bathroom featuring a maze of exposed copper piping, dark subway-style tile, and Victorian wallpaper. The bathroom is featured in the current issue of California Home Design magazine.

“In this technological age, the retro style of steam locomotion has an appeal,” explains Rothblatt. “Modernism aims to eliminate complexities and embellishments, but steampunk aims to expose how mechanisms operate. It’s a rebellion against the idea that function should be hidden.”

Read the full press release here.