NYC PUBLIC TOILET PROTOTYPE

The NYC Department of Transportation commissioned us to create a public toilet prototype that is clean, safe, vandal proof, economical, easy-to-use, and maintain. The APT (Automatic Public Toilet), an expensive automated self-cleaning model unveiled in 2006, failed due to frequent breakdowns. After an extensive study of American and international examples, the DOT accepted our recommendation to design a cheaper, low-tech alternative, inspired by the functional layout of a precedent we studied, the Portland Loo. 

CASE STUDY: SITE Our prototype is located on a typical street corner, 10th Avenue and 23rd street, near an entrance to the High Line. Its compact footprint reduces clutter and obeys sidewalk set-back requirements.

Kit-of-Parts In keeping with our client’s mandate to use a material vocabulary compatible with the DOT Street Furniture Series, our pavilion is also composed of a kit of prefabricated parts that can be quickly assembled on site. It consists of two rectangular stainless frames, a back-lit box for street maps and advertising, and a bench.

Plan A multi-purpose washing station located on the exterior of the pavilion doubles as dog fountain and place for refilling water bottles.

Sections While the APT required a 5’6” sidewalk depth for underground equipment, our version sits on flat pavement: it has a rear mechanical closet that avoids conflicts with underground utilities.

Safety: Audio & Porosity Angled louvers at the base and top of the pavilion allow users to communicate with pedestrians in case of emergency. Three one-way mirror slots placed in front of and on either side of the toilet allow occupants to surveil their surroundings.

Occupancy Lighting Rather than use English signage, the back-lit underside of the entrance canopy and fixture icons serve as occupancy lighting for multi-lingual users. White light signals empty, blue light occupied, a color that discourages chronic intravenous drug users by making veins invisible.