Cecilia García Galofre discusses how Konqrit blends luxury bathroom design with sustainability to create bespoke, nature-inspired bathtubs that promote well-being and environmental stewardship.
Konqrit has quickly garnered international recognition, including the prestigious “Future On Stage” award at Maison&Objet, one of the world’s leading design fairs. It began with textile designer Cecilia García Galofre who embarked on a journey to revolutionize bathroom design during the 2020 pandemic.
Inspired by a personal quest to infuse relaxation and well-being into her home, Galofre sought to transform the bathroom from a utilitarian space into a sanctuary of self-care. The result was Konqrit, a brand that merges art, design, and craftsmanship to create bespoke bathtub designs that serve a functional purpose and add a unique identity to the spaces they inhabit.
During Maison&Objet, we sit down with Cecilia Garcia Galobre and the artist behind the bathtub on display.
Did you miss our Facebook live tour of Maison&Objet? Check it out here.
Birth of a Brand to Foster Tranquility and Well-being
In our interview with García Galofre, she revealed that Konqrit was born out of personal necessity. Struggling to find a design that fit her vision for a peaceful retreat within her home, she crafted two custom-made concrete tops.
“Konqrit was born from my personal need of having a special place where I could disconnect from the world. I didn’t find anything special on the market, so I made it for myself,” Cecilia García Galofre said to ArchiExpo e-Magazine at Future on Stage in Maison&Objet.
From this simple start, she expanded into a small factory and launched Konqrit on the national market. Her goal was to create spaces that foster tranquility and well-being—a philosophy rooted in her own experiences of needing an intimate, special place to disconnect from the stresses of daily life.
©Anne Emmanuelle Thion
Collaborations with artists, including Buenos Aires-based Catalina Ruiz, have expanded the brand’s offerings. Over the past year, Konqrit shifted from simple bathtubs to artistic, custom-made designs, a creative approach that Ruiz appreciates deeply. The Argentine artist, known for her nature-inspired pieces, discussed how working on Konqrit’s bathtubs allowed her to explore new forms of expression, combining the physicality of painting with the tactile qualities of the materials.
Craftsmanship and Customization
Each Konqrit piece is handcrafted using a mix of materials like quartz, glass-fiber reinforced concrete, and white cement, selected for durability and beauty. The crafting process is intricate and hands-on. According to García Galofre, the glass fiber in the concrete ensures the necessary strength for each piece. As she explains, working with concrete offers the freedom to experiment with textures and color gradients, which has roots in her background as a textile designer.
“Concrete allowed me to explore the material in its liquid state, where I could mix and mold it by hand to create custom designs,” she said.
This personal touch extends to the coloring process, which involves blending pigments like ferrite to achieve unique hues.
The customization aspect is key to the brand’s identity. García Galofre emphasized that Konqrit’s pieces are not mass-produced. Everything is made to order, ensuring that each bathtub or basin is one of a kind. The design process includes a collaborative element between clients, interior designers, architects, and artists like Ruiz. By tailoring the colors, materials, and artistic interventions to each customer’s vision, Konqrit transforms functional bathroom fixtures into personalized works of art.
The Artistic Touch: Getting Physical with Paint
Catalina Ruiz, who has worked with Konqrit on multiple projects, brings her artistic expertise to the brand’s offerings. Drawing inspiration from the natural beauty of the Argentine countryside, Ruiz’s art aims to evoke a sense of calm and serenity. Her involvement in the design of Konqrit’s bathtubs is a deeply physical process—painting directly onto the concrete tubs requires not only creativity but also a significant amount of physical exertion, as the heavy pieces are moved and turned during the painting process.
“It’s a very body-intensive process,” Ruiz said. “I have to engage fully with the tub, moving it around and painting it in layers. It’s like working with a 3D canvas.”
Ruiz’s nature-inspired color palettes and organic forms add a spiritual dimension to the pieces, connecting users with nature even within the confines of their home. The combination of her art with the tactile nature of concrete creates a sensory experience, not just a visual one.
Luxury Meets Sustainability
While Konqrit emphasizes luxury, sustainability remains at the heart of the brand. The company uses 90% natural materials and avoids overproduction by manufacturing on demand. García Galofre explained that although concrete and quartz are not recyclable, the brand minimizes its environmental impact through responsible sourcing and processes.
In addition to sustainable production practices, Konqrit collaborates with an NGO dedicated to reforesting Argentina’s native forests, particularly in areas affected by fires. García Galofre sees this as a way to give back to the environment, aligning the brand with broader social and environmental goals.
Redefining the Concept of Luxury
García Galofre and Ruiz agree that Konqrit’s products aren’t just about aesthetics or functionality—they’re about creating an experience. García Galofre describes her designs as deeply personal, tailored to individuals seeking a private refuge from the demands of modern life. In her words, Konqrit helps people “feel embraced” in their most intimate spaces, offering a sanctuary where they can reconnect with themselves.
Ruiz adds that the collaboration between artists and designers like García Galofre is what makes Konqrit truly unique.
“These aren’t just pieces of furniture or functional objects,” she said. “They’re works of art meant to elevate everyday experiences, to help people feel more connected to themselves and to nature.”
For García Galofre, this approach represents a new direction in the luxury bathroom market—one where design, art, and well-being intersect.
“It’s about offering a luxury spa experience that’s deeply personal, where the true value lies in how it makes you feel,” she said. “That’s what I want people to take away from Konqrit.”
