Tokyo is attempting to battle the stigma of uncleanliness in its public bathrooms by introducing transparent walls.
In the times of desperation when needing the toilet whilst out and about, we often dread what we are going to find when we are pushed to use a public bathroom. Whether this be the unhygienic expectations of what is behind the door, or just the fear of the unknown, we all avoid using them at all whenever possible.
The ‘Tokyo Toilet Project’ is working to renovate 17 public toilets in Shibuya by creating completely transparent stalls, so that users know what they are up against before entering.
The designer, a prize-winning architect, uses “smart glass” in the stalls, meaning that when someone enters and locks the door, the glass becomes frosted and opaque so that you cannot be seen.
The toilets have also been made for both genders and is easily accessible to disabled users so that the bathrooms feel more inclusive.
Though many feel the project is a good solution to hygiene concerns, some have their questions on the efficiency of the glass. One twitter user said:
The Nippon Foundation justified the transparency, saying:
“There are two concerns with public toilets, especially those located in parks. The first is whether it is clean inside, and the second is that no one is secretly waiting inside.”
The introduction of these toilets in two parks in the capital was intended to impress ahead of the – now postponed – summer Olympics. With such technological advances and the aesthetic addition of various colours and light-up features on the toilets, it’s a fascinating design that may extend further afield.
