Can a public toilet go beyond a simple cubicle? Explore nine remarkable designs that elevate these typically utilitarian spaces. From Denmark to Poland, these public lavatories redefine the concept of convenience.
Public Toilet Unit in Gdynia
Location: Gdynia, Poland
Architects: Schleifer & Milczanowski Architekci
The teardrop-like toilet in Gdynia prioritises sustainability by featuring recycled materials and blends seamlessly with the surroundings.
Public Toilet in Uster
Location: Uster, Switzerland
Architects: Gramazio & Kohler
The prototype toilet unit developed in 2011 features a parametrically-designed façade with adaptable folded aluminium strips.The strips create a shimmering effect through variations in depth, angle and colour.
Public Toilets in the Tête d’Or Park
Location: Lyon, France
Architects: Jacky Suchail Architects
These larch-clad public toilets by Jacky Suchail Architects seek to create gentle contrast with the surrounding nature, which makes them easy to spot across the park.
Gender-neutral Public Toilet
Location: Copenhagen, Denmark
Architects: Municipality of Copenhagen
The newly refurbished gender-neutral toilets under the Town Hall Square are a testament to Copenhahgen’s commitment to creating a safer and more inclusive urban environment.
Park Toilette
Location: Weimar, Germany
Architects: Naumann Wasserkampf Architekten
Drawing inspiration from the historical urban furniture of Germanic architecture, the architects behind Park Toilette in Park an der Ilm showcase their attention to detail.
Quartier du Flon Transparent Toilet
Location: Lausanne, Switzerland
Architects: Oloom
These transparent restrooms challenge users’ courage by utilising LCD Privacy Glass: the glass becomes transparent when the door to the toilet is open and opaque when closed.
Free-standing Public Toilet
Location: Kazimierz Dolny, Poland
Architects: Piotr Musiałowski + Łukasz Przybyłowicz
Bold wooden frame and intricate lightning design: this free-standing public lavatory in Kazimierz Dolny is a standout piece of architecture.
“A Star is Born” Toilet
Location: Groningen, the Netherlands
Architect: Rem Koolhaas
Architect Rem Koolhaas and photographer Erwin Olaf designed this round toilet for an urban exhibition. Its facade showcases a blue-on-white photo collage that is illuminated from the inside in the evenings.