The Tokyo Toilet: Shigeru Ban @ Yoyogi Fukamachi Mini Park

It’s not very exciting to use public restrooms, especially when they are in the park. You kind of know that it’s most likely not very clean, plus you won’t know exactly what to expect. What if someone is hiding inside?? 

In order to solve those concerns, Japanese architect Shigeru Ban imagined a restroom that can be totally “transparent” before you use it. You can literally check what’s (or what’s not) inside thanks to the state-of-the-art opaque glass, which turn into a secure shield once the door is locked.  

After the Sun sets, his restroom illuminates softly like andon, traditional Japanese lantern made of paper. 

The glass is opaque when the restroom is not in use

Looks like two of them are in use

All of them are occupied?

It looks totally different at night. Softly lights up the area

Hey let me try this…

Two of them are in use.

Public restroom as a landmark.

Inside the restroom.