The idea of using a public bathroom with see-through walls may sound like the stuff of nightmares. But a famous Japanese architect is hoping to change that view, using new technology to make restrooms in Tokyo parks more inviting.
"There are two things we worry about when entering a public restroom, especially those located at a park," according to architect Shigeru Ban's firm. "The first is cleanliness, and the second is whether anyone is inside. "
The newly-invented transparent walls can turn off both of those worries, Ban says, by showing people what awaits them inside. After users enter the restroom and lock the door, the room's walls turn a powdery pastel shade—and are no longer see-through.
Ean's transparent facilities are sure to make for great conversation among visitors to the park—and they'll stand out even more after dark. "At night, the facility lights up the park like a beautiful lantern," the architect's website says.
The group is behind the Tokyo Toilet project, enlisting world-famous architects to create toilets "like you've never seen." The project's eye-catching toilets are part of a plan to put people at ease when visiting a public bathroom. The project may seem silly, but the 16 architects who are reimagining public toilets are some of the brightest names in Japanese architecture. The list includes four Pritzker Prize winners—Ban, Toyo Ito, Tadao Ando and Fumihiko Maki一along with international stars such as Kengo Kuma and Sou Fujimoto. The fashion designer Nigo is also contributing.
Ban's colorful public bathrooms opened to the public this month in two parks: Yoyogi Fu kamachi Mini Park and Haru--no--Ogawa Community Park. Other bespoke commodes will be opening in coming months.
