Another eastern toilet design
GN Architects, an architectural firm, presented an innovative public bathroom in Atour Village, a town in Qingdao, China.
According to this article, this facility is set into the town’s hillside with three themed buildings dominating the view, without other space available for separate restrooms as strongly desired by the owner.
Due to costs, public bathrooms often lack light and cleanliness. However, through a survey, it has been found that the most significant tourist complaints are about ticket costs.
The architect settled on the location at the base of the cliff so that the bathroom yard’s entrance faces the square, which is instantly recognizable. In addition, between the pedestrian street and the square lies a cliff that is 7 meters high.
The top of the building may be seen from the upper pedestrian street like a white, deep pit in the woods. Between the street and the plaza, the earth-covered top and the plants serve as an effective transition.
To balance the bathroom’s privacy and visibility, the architects used the courtyard to complete the link with the main plaza. Visitors can only see the building after entering this enclosed space. To keep users’ view and space well-lit and ventilated, two square courtyards are also incorporated between the buildings.
The four entrances of the Atour Village public restroom are marked with symbols, and all doors and windows are concealed behind the arc wall. The 7-meter-high integrated panel is perfect for this single surface, which is covered with arc-shaped white composite aluminum panels that are stitched together vertically.
Finally, the bright, clear sunlight that streams down, along with the surface’s smooth texture, boosts the experience.
China just like Japan is stunning the world with its innovative design of public toilets that are leaving the old concept of a bathroom designed like an awful and dirty cabin but rather a facility that is part of the environment, and thanks to a minimalistic design they look cleaner and pleasent.
