According Shigeru Ban, there are two things we worry about when entering a public restroom, especially those located in parks. The first is whether it is clean inside, and the second is that no one is secretly waiting inside. Using a new technology, we designed the outer walls with glass that 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.
These toilets, divided into three cubicles where every room has color match the hues found on parks, is composed of women’s, men’s and an accessible facility bathroom.
These toilets, divided into three cubicles where every room has color match the hues found on parks, is composed of women’s, men’s and an accessible facility bathroom.
Users can know if the toilets are empty from far away, as the glass exterior will be transparent if the bathroom is empty, making it particularly useful and safe at night.
The Tokyo Toilet, is a program by The Nippon Foundation aimed at renovating seventeen public toilets in Shibuya, by 16 leading creators, in cooperation with the Shibuya City government. Five of the locations are open as of August: designs by Masamichi Katayama / Wonderwall, Shigeru Ban (2), Fumihiko Maki, and Nao Tamura. On August 31will open In Nishihara Itchome Park the project by Takenosuke Sakakura, and on September 7 in Jingu-Dori Park will be the proposal by Tadao Ando, with the remainder completed by spring 2021.
The toilets are being built by Daiwa House Industry Co. Ltd., with Toto Ltd. advising on toilet equipment and layout. In addition to the construction, ever-important maintenance of the facilities will be carried out under a three-party agreement between The Nippon Foundation, the Shibuya City government, and the Shibuya City Tourism Association.
