Giant wooden objects, floating half-spheres: ……. Mysterious structures are appearing one after another in Shibuya Ward. What they really are are public toilets. A project led by the Nippon Foundation, with the participation of 16 top-notch creators, will open 17 overly innovative restrooms by the end of March 2010.
Nabeshima Shoto Park
Kengo Kuma
240 cedar boards are used to create a feeling of being in a small forest. On the other hand, some people seem to be confused by the small display of the purpose of each restroom.Unpublished cut from “Designer Public Restrooms” Kengo Kuma, Nabeshima Shoto ParkUnpublished cut of “Designer Public Restrooms” in Nabeshima Shoto Park by Kengo KumaUnpublished cut of “Designer Public Toilet” Kengo Kuma in Nabeshima Shoto Park
This reporter immediately visited the restroom designed by Kengo Kuma (photo above). After passing through a huge space of cedar boards, the largest of which is 4 meters high, five restrooms appear. The rooms are also covered with stumps, and the smell of cedar fills the air. It is a very luxurious space where you can even enjoy the feeling of forest bathing while doing your business.
The toilet, built by famous creative director Kazoo Sato, is equipped with the latest technology. By reading the QR code at the entrance with your smartphone, you can access a special website. “After calling out, “Hi Toilet! “You can then tell the toilet what you want it to do, such as flush the water, and it will do exactly that. By the way, if you call out, “Play music,” moody music will be played. I wonder if this was Mr. Sato’s choice of music. It’s very stylish.
I asked the Nippon Foundation staff how they came up with the idea.
“We thought that by changing the image of public toilets as scary, dirty, smelly, and dark, we could create a more livable city. We are happy to hear that people actually feel safe using the toilets even at night.
Why don’t you take a break when you visit Shibuya?
Nanago Street Park
Kazoo Sato
The design of the pure white half-sphere was inspired by water. “It took three years to develop the concept of a new type of “non-contact toilet.Unpublished cut from the “Designer Public Toilet” at Nanago Street Park by Kazoo SatoUnpublished cut from the magazine “Designer Public Toilets” in Nanago Street Park by Kazoo Sato
Jingu Dori Park
Tadao Ando
The design was inspired by a small pavilion in the city center. The shape is circular, and the outer wall has a vertical lattice so that wind and light can enter from anywhere.Tadao Ando’s “Designer Public Toilet” at Jingu-dori Park, which is too bizarre to be published in this magazineTadao Ando’s “Designer Public Toilet” at Jingu-dori Park, too eccentric to be published in this magazineUnpublished photo from the magazine Tadao Ando’s “Designer Public Toilets” at Jingumae Park
West exit of Ebisu station
Kashiwa Sato
A giant cube of about 6 meters on each side rises right next to JR Ebisu Station. All five toilets are open to all genders.Unpublished cut of the “designer public restroom” at Ebisu Station West Exit by Kashiwa SatoUnpublished cut from the magazine “Designer Public Restrooms” at Ebisu Station West Exit Kashiwa SatoUnpublished cut from the “Designer Public Toilet” at Ebisu Station West Exit Kashiwa Sato
Ebisu Park
Masamichi Katayama / WONDERWALL(R)
Fifteen concrete walls are combined to create an image of a “toilet. One of the earliest to open.Unpublished cut from “Designer Public Toilet” Ebisu Park by Masamichi Katayama / WONDERWALL(R)Unpublished cut from “Designer Public Toilet” Ebisu Park Masamichi Katayama / WONDERWALL(R)
Yoyogi Hachiman
Toyo Ito
The shape of this toilet is reminiscent of a mushroom. Located on the approach to Yoyogi Hachiman Shrine, it was designed to harmonize with the forest in the background.Unpublished cut from the “Designer Public Toilet” by Toyo Ito, Yoyogi HachimanUnpublished photo of the “designer public restroom” at Yoyogi Hachiman.Unpublished cut from the magazine, too eccentric “designer public restroom” in Yoyogi Hachiman Toyo Ito
Yoyogi Fukamachi small park
Shigeru Ban
The restroom is surrounded by transparent glass, but it has a special film that makes it opaque when the key is locked.Shigeru Ban, Yoyogi Fukamachi Elementary Park, “designer public restroom” that is too bizarre to be published in this magazineUnpublished photo from “Designer Public Toilets” at Yoyogi Fukamachi Koen Park by Shigeru BanUnpublished cut from the magazine, too eccentric “Designer Public Toilets” in Yoyogi Fukamachi Koen Park Shigeru Ban
Jingu-mae
NIGOⓇ
The design is based on the image of a house in contrast to the tall buildings that line the street. The entire building was designed in white and mint green to create a sense of cleanliness.Unpublished cut of “Designer Public Toilet” in Jingumae NIGOⓇUnpublished cut of “Designer Public Toilet” Jingumae NIGOⓇ
