Noteworthy Japanese architects, and even some Pritzker Prize laureates, are among the creators of 17 innovative public restroom designs throughout the bustling Shibuya area of Tokyo. Launched by the non-profit The Nippon Foundation, THE TOKYO TOILET project hopes to create save, clean, and appealing facilities "to make them accessible for everyone regardless of gender, age, or disability, to demonstrate the possibilities of an inclusive society."
Five of the 17 planned facilities, envisioned by Shigeru Ban, Fumihiko Maki, Masamichi Katayama/Wonderwall, and Nao Tamura, have recently opened to the public while more are expected to launch later this year and in 2021.
The Tadao Ando-designed restroom is scheduled to open on September 7th. Toilets created by Toyo Ito, Kengo Kuma, and Sou Fujimoto will be available next year.
Take a look at the initiative's first five releases below.
Project description: "There are two things we worry about when entering a public restroom, especially those located at a park. The first is cleanliness, and the second is whether anyone is inside. Using the latest technology, the exterior glass turns opaque when locked. This allows users to check the cleanliness and whether anyone is using the toilet from the outside. At night, the facility lights up the park like a beautiful lantern."
Haru-no-Ogawa Community Park (5-68-1 Yoyogi)
Yoyogi Fukamachi Mini Park (1-54-1 Tomigaya)
Ebisu East Park (1-2-16 Ebisu)
Project description: "The project site, Ebisu East Park, is a popular neighborhood park that is used as a children's playground and is filled with lush greenery. We wanted this facility to function not only as a public restroom but as a public space that serves as a park pavilion equipped with a rest area. Thinking about a variety of users, from children to people on their way to work, we wanted to create a safe and comfortable space that uses a decentralized layout to allow for good sight lines throughout the facility. The cheerful roof that integrates the different sections promotes ventilation and natural light, creating a bright and clean environment while giving the facility a unique appearance similar to playground equipment."
Higashi Sanchome (3-27-1 Higashi)
Project description: "Living in New York, I have been privileged to witness the LGBTQ+ community living in alignment with their sexual identities. As I designed this public bathroom for a small triangular lot in Shibuya, I envisioned a society that embraces the LGBTQ+ community and holds space for them to live their truth. I realized that what enables each user a comfortable experience boils down to safety, privacy and urgency. With this in mind, I created three separate spaces that redefine the way a public bathroom establishes personal space. The design was inspired by Origata, a traditional Japanese method of decorative wrapping. A symbol of gift-giving, this motif embodies the spirit of hospitality towards Shibuya ward’s multinational visitors, and carries my vision to create a safe space that envelopes all users. This design represents my hope for a society where people from all walks of life feel safe and are able to thrive."
Ebisu Park (1-19-1 Ebisu-Nishi)
Project description: "We kept in mind a facility that distances itself from architectural concepts and elements: an object that stands casually in the park as if it were playground equipment, benches, or trees. In Japan, the origin of toilets is kawaya, written initially as 川屋 and later 厠 (also pronounced kawaya). Kawaya was a hut (ya 屋) that stood over the river (kawa 川) dating back to the Neolithic times of early Jomon period (10,000 to 6,000 BCE). These huts were of primitive and simple designs, often made of hardened soil or pieces of wood bound together. Trying to envision the appearance and atmosphere of the primitive kawaya of the past, we built an “ambiguous space” that is simultaneously an object and a toilet by randomly combining 15 concrete walls. The spaces between the walls lead users into three different areas designed for men, women, and everyone. The design creates a unique relationship in which users are invited to interact with the facility as if they are playing with a curious piece of playground equipment."
Learn more about the spaces in this video by The Nippon Foundation below (in Japanese).
8 Comments
will the usa ever reach this level of toilet enlightenment?
Probably not. We'd need to fix decades of systemic neglect in other areas first.
"will the usa ever reach this level of toilet enlightenment?" I doubt it. First, we have to improve the hygienic culture. I am using the school bathroom experience as the base for my statement. Chewing gums in urinals, unflushed toilets with crap left for next person to appreciate, people not washing their hands after using the toilets, pissed on them toilet seats, dirty toilet papers on the floors, and few other grossnesses too disgusting to mention. And, these people in their higher education years. The custodian had some worst stories. I start to use the faculty bathrooms even they are far away, at least they are a lot cleaner.
Having said all that, I’m all curious if the behavioral pattern is improved if and when we return to post Covid-19 campus.
Maybe we can bring these back?
Learning from Ephesus! ;)))
...not so sneaky, Pete...I just left DEZEEN site with similar, negative rap on USA ignorance of infrastructure & public accommodations. I concur w/ you & Koww as we American's just don't get what other countries do well...however, we do have Amtrak blistering along at 68 mph!
Take THAT...Shinkansen ! I gotta Go!
that should be a design & build assignment at every architecture school!
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