Wow, that's beautiful! I was asking because we are remodeling and it does seem to be a trend. It is a second story bathroom, though so there is probably not a lot of room to recess into the floor. It definitely looks like something that requires a lot of experience and skill to do. I am not understanding if it is primarily a style trend or serves a purpose....definitely showers are easier to get into than a tub, but seems if one was trying to use a wheel chair, for example, curbless helps, but one still has to fit through the opening? It started as I was looking into cast iron shower pans, well, because stuff like what you have shown requires a very skilled tiler. I am so thankful for the wealth of knowledge and experience people share on this site!

I live in Arizona. I’m currently having a new home built and just had my 8’ sliders installed in one guest room and master bedroom. The sill on my sliders is about 1 1/2 ~ 2” and I have kicked it several times now. Was just wondering today why is it so high? My contractor for my foundation told me I would have ALL level Entryways going from outside to inside and vise versa.. therefore myself or anyone else would never have to worry about tripping over any threshold.. I definitely have two tripping hazards! I will be contacting my foundation contractor first I guess.. hhhmmm

We are installing a 36 x 60 cast iron shower receptor and frameless bypass sliding doors. The glass company said they drill into cast iron all the time and it's not a problem. As a preventive measure, I will ask them to add silicone to the underside of the sill mounted center guide to seal out water and prevent rust. Thank you to everyone who commented on this thread - your input has been helpful and informative.

@Karenseb, thanks so much for looking at this and for your ideas! At this point I'm thinking option 1, but with a pocket door from the hall to the sink area. I imagine that door staying open most of the time anyway (not as much privacy needed at the sinks, and to let light from the windows into the hallway.) To answer your questions: I have the vanity drawn as 72" long. I'm fine with a 30x60" tub, either alcove or dropin/undermount. (I have it drawn as 36" wide, to allow for a shelf along the long wall of the tub.) I don't need a huge shower either - 48"x48" is the minimum I've been working with (while trying to keep 84" of headroom at least 34" wide.) I think any of the plumbing can go anywhere except the exterior walls. (We are fortunate that the floor below this one has a drywall ceiling that is dropped 12" below the original plaster ceiling.) @ajrmcr, the sloped ceiling will definitely be tiled in the shower/bath area(s). I'm really looking forward to how that will look!