Q: How practical is the idea of doing away with the window glass in the bathroom? i’ve been seeing a lot of open bathrooms in magazines, but won’t there be a lot of mosquitoes?

A: We admit that design aesthetics sometimes clash with practical considerations. However, it is lovely to have fresh air blowing through the bathroom, and many homeowners are taking inspiration from tropical resorts and incorporating big, glass-free windows or an airwell. It also becomes an opportunity to add in pockets of greenery where possible. Think of tall heliconias in a window box just outside to frame the view and block prying eyes. This second-floor bathroom by Md.Ma Design Consultants has large sliding glass doors screened by timber slats that pivot to open up the views.

Open bathrooms are not advisable for the ground floor  though, unless you have enough space to put in tall planting and a screening wall in front of the window. Another problem: Mosquitoes swarm nightly at ground level. If your bathroom is in a high-rise building or on the top floor of a bungalow, they won’t be much of a problem. If not, you can compromise with sliding windows that can be shut at night.

Credit
photography: M.D. Basheer