THE TOKYO TOILET
Nao Tamura's design is inspired by Origata, a traditional Japanese method of decorative wrapping. A symbol of hospitality towards visitors, the facility offers three separate spaces that also cater for the LGBTQ+ community.
A restyling project to transform existing facilities into clean, highly functional environments in perfect harmony with their surrounding spaces. Facilities that will attract visitors and help to break down prejudices and encourage new habits. Genuine architectural and urban planning challenges that find creative and sometimes unusual solutions to problems of contemporary living.
When we think of an architectural project, we tend to imagine large structures. We visualise skyscrapers, bridges, housing developments, museums, industrial sites, railway stations and airports. It is not common to visualise significant projects enclosed in small spaces. Space on a human scale is usually associated with domestic settings or with certain new generation hotels or at the workplace. But change is afoot and we are now concerned with improving the quality of our daily lives, finding innovative solutions to our real needs and our increasing mobility, and trying to overcome differences in gender, race, economic status and religion. Global population is growing and greater average life expectancy will increase the world's population to somewhere between 8.5 and 9 billion by 2050 (United Nations, Demographic megatrends and global population growth, September 2019). Cities will absorb new migrations and urban centres will need to provide increasingly specific and adapted services. The city must become our first home offering toilet facilities, drinking water, places to eat, green spaces, extensive transport networks and free interactive connections. The Tokyo Toilet project, launched in 2019, in the Japanese megacity is an example of this change, tangible evidence of how to interpret this need to adapt to new demands.
The city must become our first home offering toilet facilities, drinking water, places to eat, green spaces, extensive transport networks and free interactive connections. The Tokyo Toilet project, launched in 2019, is an example of this change, tangible evidence of how to interpret this need to adapt to new demands.
An interplay of geometries which, thanks also to the fiery red of the architecture, attracts passers-by and symbolises this project to redesign public spaces.
Shigeru Ban has worked on two fundamental concepts: cleanliness and safety. Using a new technology applied to the glass, spaces have been created that are visible from the outside when they are vacant. The walls turn opaque when the door is locked.
The Nippon Foundation, a non-profit social innovation hub that works to achieve a better society, is renovating 17 public toilets located in the Shibuya district. These spaces designed by 16 internationally renowned architects - including four Pritzker Prize winners Shigeru Ban, Tadao Ando, Toyo Ito and Fumuhiko Maki - use advanced design to make them accessible to everyone, regardless of gender, age or disability, demonstrating the possibilities available in an inclusive society.
Japan is as far away from European culture as one can imagine. We are seduced by the country from every angle: the small everyday gestures, the elegance of the people, their care for nature and the immense amount of spiritual heritage displayed everywhere. One Tokyo district, Shibuya, is an example of how rich, varied and fascinating life can be in the Land of the Rising Sun. With 16 suburban railway and underground lines running through the district and with its numerous parks, Shibuya is a crossroads for trends, architectural styles, shared spaces and above all souls. It is home to places such as the Love Hotels, tastefully furnished establishments offering an expression of ironic creative freedom, where guests can stay in absolute privacy. Shibuya is also the birthplace of cosplay, which has become very fashionable since the mid-1990s. Like all trendy places, the district also has a darker side and is known for being the headquarters of the ruthless Japanese mafia, the Yacuza. Japan is also well known for being one of the cleanest countries in the world.
Public toilets too have a high standard of hygiene. But there is limited use of these facilities because of the prevailing stereotypes that they are dark, dirty and unwelcoming. To dispel these misconceptions, The Nippon Foundation, a non-profit social innovation hub founded in the 1960s by businessman and philanthropist Ryoichi Sasakawa, which works to achieve a better society through areas like support for children, people with disabilities and other activities, has decided to renovate 17 public toilets located in Shibuya in partnership with local government.
These spaces have been designed by 16 internationally renowned architects - including four Pritzker Prize winners Shigeru Ban, Tadao Ando, Toyo Ito and Fumuhiko Maki - and use advanced design to make them accessible to everyone, regardless of gender, age or disability, demonstrating the possibilities available in an inclusive society. The first three facilities were opened on 5 August 2020, four more have now been completed and the project is expected to reach its conclusion by mid-2022.
A specialist team is responsible for maintaining all the public toilets commissioned by The Nippon Foundation.
After three years of research, design and testing, Kazoo Sato has developed the concept of the Voice Command Toilet. "Hi Toilet' is a public toilet where all commands are voice-activated. A genuinely contactless toilet.
It is no surprise that maintenance plays an important part in the smooth running of the project. A specialist team keeps these sites clean and tidy thanks to a tripartite agreement between The Nippon Foundation, the government and the Shibuya City Tourism Association.
"In Japan," explains architect Masamichi Katayama, "toilets originated from kawaya, huts built over rivers dating back to the prehistoric Jomon period. 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, children and the disabled. 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".
Katayama's comments were made to mark the opening of the first Tokyo Toilet project in Ebisu Park. In contrast, Shigeru Ban's focus was on the psychological aspects of using a public toilet. with the facility as if it were a curious piece of playground equipment. Takenosuke Sakakura wants the restroom to illuminate the park like an andon, or lantern, creating an inviting public space for the visitors. Ebisu East Park, known as Octopus Park, is home to Fumihiko Maki's "Squid Toilet".
White is the chosen name for Kashiwa Sato's project. Located in front of Ebisu station, it has become another symbol of The Tokyo Toilet project and is greatly admired and used by passers-by.
Foto by Thirza Schaap
The project designed by Kengo Kuma is called A Walk in the woods. His idea? To create a village in the lush greenery of Shoto Park, a public restroom camouflaged in nature.
Ebisu East Park, known as Octopus Park, is home to Fumihiko Maki's "Squid Toilet". "We wanted to create a safe and comfortable place that uses a decentralized layout to allow for good sight lines throughout the facility," explains Maki.
Tadao Ando's idea was to design a private space that maintains the perceptions of the park in which it is located. From natural light to wind and the rustling of leaves, from the singing of birds to the chitter-chatter of people, the outdoors is part of the private space that breathes life into a fascinating architecture designed for a social project.
"Thinking about a variety of users, from children to people on their way to work," explains Maki, "we wanted to create a safe and comfortable place that uses a decentralized layout to allow for good sight lines throughout the facility." Work is currently taking place on other toilet facilities designed by Kengo Kuma, Marc Newson and Sou Fujimoto, among others. It is no surprise that maintenance plays an important part in the smooth running of the project.
A specialist team keeps these sites clean and tidy thanks to a tripartite agreement between The Nippon Foundation, the government and the Shibuya City Tourism Association. And a documentary is going around the world to spread news of this initiative.
"We hope that this restroom will illuminate the park like an andon, or lantern, creating an inviting public space for the visitors," says Takenosuke Sakakura describing his fascinating project.
