Lorne Mash creates pieces that serve a purpose—but also carry presence, emotion and character. The co-founder of Los Angeles–based Vast Studio crafts one-of-a-kind bathtubs and sinks that strike the balance between form and function. “We’ve always been fascinated by the idea that something practical can also make people stop and feel something,” he tells Business of Home. “We interact with objects every day, but very few become memorable experiences.”
Born and raised in London, Mash began working in stonemasonry and bricklaying as a teenager and continued throughout adulthood. In his early 20s, he visited Los Angeles and met James Byford, a fellow Londoner with a history in construction and fabrication. “We began collaborating on high-end residential projects, sourcing materials from around the world because we were always searching for something with more individuality and character,” he says.
Mash moved to SoCal to work more closely with Byford, and the pair soon homed in on filling the void of artisanal bathtubs and sinks on the market. “So much of what we saw felt heavily driven by mass production, synthetic materials, and products that lacked personality or craftsmanship,” he explains. “We felt there was an opportunity to create something different: pieces made slowly, by hand, using materials we genuinely understood and respected.”
In 2018, they launched Vast Studio with a small line of handcrafted concrete bathtubs and pedestal sinks. “We want to challenge the idea that a bathtub or sink is simply something you use,” says Mash. “To us, these pieces can become the focal point of a space and completely change the atmosphere of a room.”
Every Vast Studio design is handmade using reinforced mineral-based concrete and highly specialized molding techniques. Each piece undergoes an array of dexterous processes, including casting, curing, sanding, acid washing and sealing, before reaching its final form. “The methods we use today are very different from what people would typically associate with traditional precast concrete,” says Mash. “We can create something lighter, stronger, more refined, and ultimately more sculptural—pieces that feel closer to collectible designs than conventional bathroom products.”
The brand also developed a proprietary reinforced sealing system designed to preserve and protect the concrete while maintaining its natural texture and patina. “In fact, our sealing systems are so robust that we’ve produced custom ice baths for luxury spas, where the interiors remain exposed to water 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” says Mash.
Though form plays a pivotal role in his work, the finishes do the talking. Along with a slew of earthy concrete hues, the brand’s bespoke range offers everything from a slipper tub clad in a black iron exterior to an aged-brass pedestal sink. “We love collaborating with designers, architects and clients, because they are artists in their own right,” he says. “Often we’ll be given a faucet, tile, stone sample or material palette to work toward, and that’s when the process becomes incredibly creative.”
Looking ahead, the brand plans to release its first collection of bathroom vanities before the end of the year. “We want people to live with these designs for decades,” says Mash. “In a world increasingly driven by mass production and disposable products, we’re focused on creating pieces that feel lasting and personal.”
