An Honest Toilet
Public toilet design for a post-pandemic world
2021
Competition: ILOOMINATION by NEA
Category: Spatial, Public, User Experience
Designed with Esther Tan & Shawn Lee
First Runner-Up
We envisioned the ideals of a post pandemic toilet to be driven by thoughtful design and practicality, shaping durable materials into planar continuous surfaces that minimises space for bacteria to reside, easing the overall act of cleaning. Our team is focused on enhancing the experience of using a public toilet, from both the cleaners and users’ point of view, through the curation of strong and/or antimicrobial materials that are designed to suit all users. This in turn creates a pleasant experience for all, reimagining the public routine.
The overall circulation and cubicles follow a rather conventional layout due to the spatial constraints.
However, with improved details, the flow of users can help in promoting cleaner and dryer floors and encourage proper disposal of bin litter.
However, with improved details, the flow of users can help in promoting cleaner and dryer floors and encourage proper disposal of bin litter.
The design of the form, with louvres on either side, helps promote natural ventilation encouraged by the slanting of the roof. It also allows natural sunlight to permeate the interior, warming up the inside.
The material palette features strong and durable materials warm and tactile in nature. Most of the materials selected have innate anti-microbial properties such as the anodised aluminium and copper that are placed strategically at areas with higher touchpoints, in response to the need for effective cleanliness.
The cubicle features flat, continuous surfaces to ease the cleaning/wiping process At the back wall of each cubicle, our team conceived a series of fun illustrations in response to common toilet habits: flushing the toilet, keeping the floor dry and washing of hands
The cubicle features flat, continuous surfaces to ease the cleaning/wiping process At the back wall of each cubicle, our team conceived a series of fun illustrations in response to common toilet habits: flushing the toilet, keeping the floor dry and washing of hands
The design places a strong focus on the experience of using a public bathroom. With the strong influx and exchange of users in a post pandemic world, the design needs to redefine the ways we utilise this space. We began by firstly empathising with the cleaners who maintain the space daily, simplifying various corners and surfaces. In addition, we focused on the ambience when using the cubicles, providing an atmospheric yet functional setup.
Through the pandemic period, we have grown to be wary towards public spaces and the paranoia over personal health becomes a priority. Thus the spaces we interact with have to adapt and change, encouraged and enhanced through thoughtful design, which we try to achieve through this proposal.
