Public Toilets across Asia: Seven Noteworthy Designs

In Asian countries, designing public toilets can be considered a challenging and prestigious task for architectural practices. Starchitects like Sou Fujimoto or Toyo Ito create appealing lavatories across the continent. This approach has resulted in an abundance of remarkable designs—these are just a few examples!

White Vessel Toilet

The main feature of this public toilet in central Tokyo is the outdoor, white, bowl-like basin with taps at different heights which are accessible both from the street and the toilet entrance.

Mushroom Public Toilet

Designed by Pritzker Prize laureate Toyo Ito in Tokyo’s Shibuya district, three mushroom-shaped toilet blocks are reminiscent of mushrooms growing in a nearby forest.

Hiroshima Park Restrooms

This series of 17 colorful urban toilets in Hiroshima resemble origami cranes folded from brightly coloured paper.

The Light Box

The mature tree that this ladies’ toilet in Thane is neatly built around provides shade and coolness to female visitors on hot days.

Floating Concrete Toilet

Another Tokyo toilet. An interesting play of contrasts: the monolith concrete facade seems to float above the ground, as if weightless.