I think one of the worst designs in American homes is the combination shower and bathtub. The two really ought to be separated. There is no benefit to them being in one unit, other than the obvious cost savings to the constructor.
I’m not the biggest guy out there, but even I find the width of a bathtub to be constricting when showering. I weep in joy and jealousy whenever I travel, and the hotel has a proper shower stall with enough space for my shoulders to move side to side. Keep in mind that you get less foot/floor space due to the curvature of the tub, too.
The combo shower and tub creates another problem when I want to take an actual bath. Think of all the soap scum and bodily dirt that has accumulated onto the tub surface from your (hopefully) daily showering. Well then you’d want to clean all that off before laying on top of it, wouldn’t you? I know I would, which is why I’ve yet to take a proper bath ever because I don’t want to clean the tub every time that I do.
If I were lucky enough to own my own place in the future, there will for sure be some remodeling to the bathroom. A shower stall is a must. And if there isn’t space leftover for a bathtub, then so be it. Who can afford tubs full of water in this economy anyways? Besides, rather than a bathtub, a single-person sauna box would be way more useful.
A stacked combo washer and dryer is a great space-saving design. The combo shower and tub, however, simply inconveniences both of the two experiences. Stop it, homebuilders. Get some help.
The answer is always.