A man experiences mist service of the Rain Sky. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Over the past 10 years, perspectives on luxury have continued to change to keep up with modern lifestyles. That is also true with bathrooms in today's hospitality industry.

Designers continue to strive to make bathrooms more spacious, esthetic and "intelligent".

American hotelier and entrepreneur Ian Schrager, who built Studio 54, says "marble fixtures don't equal luxury anymore".

"What's luxurious is at least 3 square feet (0.28 sqm) for you to spread out your toiletries," he explains.

The hotel bathroom of today has abandoned its traditional role as simply a place for washing up, and it now also concerns relaxation, comfort and luxury.

In the world of luxurious bathrooms, nothing means indulgence more than a Dornbracht Rain Sky overhead shower panel that measures about 1 square meter and has 365 multifunctional nozzles.

A man experiences the Rain Sky overhead shower panel. [Photo provided to China Daily]

As Vanke, one of the major residential real estate developers on the Chinese mainland,, has prioritized bathroom design in its recent projects.

Its collaboration with Dornbracht certainly turns up the volume on luxury.

It all began when the company's CEO, Andreas Dornbracht, mentioned the new Rain Sky to Mao Daqing, vice president of Vanke, over a casual lunch.

The large built-in rain panel was designed by distinguished European firm Sieger Design. It was included among RIBA Journal's "100 Best Products" and received a gold award for innovation in steel. RIBA is the magazine of the Royal Institute of British Architects, and is one of the leading publications serving the architectural profession.

The Rain Sky uses water, mist, light and fragrance combined in scenarios controlled by an electronic panel that automatically selects different sprays and colored lights to match a particular choreography. Three modes can be manually adjusted.

The Rain Sky bathroom. [Photo provided to China Daily]

For example, with the additional light, shower water is illuminated and glows in the bathroom.

"We like our clients to get a uniquely sensual feeling, like showering in the open air in the Amazon rainforest," says Dornbracht.