I Ching: Minimalist Heated Towel Rails as Wall Art

Italian brand Tubes has collaborated with designer Elisa Ossino to rethink the heated towel rail, turning a traditionally functional object into a striking design statement for bathrooms.

The new I Ching system reduces the towel rail down to a series of minimalist linear modules that can be arranged in multiple configurations.

GALLERY  

Made of stainless steel, the modules are available in four lengths and can be installed vertically, horizontally, or as a combination of both. This flexibility allows designers to create geometric compositions that enhance the overall aesthetic of the bathroom, while still offering the warmth and practicality expected of a heated towel rail. Tubes describes I Ching as “a kind of artwork” that makes a strong visual impression, enough to make you forget its intended functional role.

The I Ching modules come in 13 metallic finishes or 140 RAL colours, giving design professionals a wide palette to match contemporary or classic bathroom interiors. Its low-voltage 24-volt operation makes the system particularly safe to fit in wet areas, including walk-in showers or above bathtubs. “The extra-low voltage makes this product especially ideal for wet areas in spas or bathroom cabins on yachts,” the company explained.

I Ching can be fitted with a simple on-off switch or integrated with home automation and digital wireless thermostat systems, allowing full control over temperature and scheduling. This combination of modular design, high customisability, and practical safety features positions the I Ching towel rail as both a functional and decorative element, bridging the gap between utility and visual impact in contemporary bathroom design.

For interiors that value clean lines and flexible design, I Ching offers the opportunity to elevate a bathroom wall into a feature without compromising on warmth or safety. Whether used as a single vertical statement or a complex horizontal composition, it transforms everyday practicality into modern art.

Images via Dezeen

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