The latest toilet of the Nippon Foundation “THE TOKYO TOILET” project is completed in Hiroo Higashi Park, what does 7.9 billion light patterns mean?[Field Report]｜CULTURE｜TECTURE MAG

Led by The Nippon Foundation, the latest toilet in the “THE TOKYO TOILET” project in Shibuya Ward, Tokyo, was recently installed in Hiroo Higashi Park (4-2-27 Hiroo). Service starts at noon.

As we have covered in the news of “TECTURE MAG” so far, the “THE TOKYO TOILET” project aims to create public toilets in 17 locations in Shibuya that can be used comfortably by anyone, regardless of gender, age or disability. Reborn as a toilet.
Shibuya City is making efforts to promote a society that respects diversity, such as gender equality and LGBT support, and cooperation with this project is one of them.

12 public toilets born in the “THE TOKYO TOILET” project (clockwise from top left): Masamichi Katayama, Shigeru Ban (2 places), Naho Tamura, Fumihiko Maki, Takenosuke Sakakura, Tadao Ando, ​​NIGO®, Designed by Kengo Kuma, Kashiwa Sato, Toyo Ito, and Kazoo Sato (photo by Ken Ere, courtesy of The Nippon Foundation)
Public toilets to be completed after September 2022 Designers: Junko Kobayashi, Sou Fujimoto, Marc Newson, Miles Pennington

Beginning with the three toilets that went into service on August 5, 2020, architects and art directors who are active in Japan and overseas have participated. All of the toilets completed so far have barrier-free and gender-free designs and specifications, and are equipped with ostomate facilities.
With their excellent design and creative power, we would like to propose and disseminate to society what an inclusive society should be like, and also to revamp the negative image that people have of conventional public toilets.

〈Monumentum〉Toilet Looking up from the lowland on the south side of the site

The Hiroo Higashi Park restroom is located on the north side of Hiroo subway station, on one side of the two slopes on the west side of Gaien Nishi-dori. The park stretches north and south along the slope, and there is a difference in elevation within the grounds. A public toilet with reddish-brown tiles was built at the top of the stairs in the park, and was recently rebuilt under the same project. rice field.

Photo: Satoshi Nagare, provided by The Nippon Foundation

Nameplate

Tomohito Ushiro, head of the creative company WHITE DESIGN, is in charge of the toilet design.

Tomohito(Ushiro Tomohito)Mr. Profile
Art Director / Creative Director
Born in Tokyo in 1971. In 1991, he entered Musashino Art University Junior College, Department of Graphics, and transferred to the Department of Visual Communication Design. In 1995, he joined Hakuhodo. Established WHITE DESIGN in 2008.
Creative Director in charge of UNIQLO Sustainability Division, Brand Strategy Advisor atama plus Co., Ltd., Visiting Professor, Faculty of Human Sciences, Osaka University of Economics.

Mr. Tomohito after being in charge of design (At the press preview on July 22, 2022)

Main works include Fast Retailing Sustainability Report, Uniqlo “Doraemon Sustaina Mode”, Uniqlo’s UT collection “THE PEACE FOR ALL” where you can donate by purchasing T-shirts, various craft beers like Marché There are giraffe project “Tap Marché (Tap Marché)” that you can enjoy.

WHITE DESIGN Website
http://whitedesign.jp/

The road that runs right next to the park connects to Minami-Aoyama, where Mr. Go’s office is located. Mr. Go said that he had known about this for a long time (according to Mr. Go at a press preview held before the start of service). However, when he was first approached to design public toilets, he declined.

“When I look at the list of candidates, there are many prominent members, and my name is next to Mr. Tadao Ando and Mr. Toyo Ito in the order of Aiueo. (laughs) But ever since I accepted the contract, I’ve been thinking only about this toilet. Mr. Go looks back on this project.

“From the moment I heard about the TOKYO TOILET project, it sounded interesting and I thought it would be a significant and unprecedented architectural project. I am really happy to have been able to do this.” (Mr. Go)

The park toilet designed by Mr. Go has exposed concrete on the west, south and east sides. There are two entrances to the toilets on the south side of the long story.

“We wanted to create a space with plenty of room, so we used the entire site to maximize the area.

Sign and pictogram design by Kashiwa Sato

Interior view of the toilet on the left (with a crib)

Toilet entrance on the right side (with osmate facilities)

On the right side of the screen, behind the mirrored door is a storage space for cleaning tools.

Another big feature of this toilet can be seen when you turn around to the north.

The park toilet , designed by Mr. Go, has only one wall on the north side, and a horizontal screen is set up on the other side.
It’s hard to see in bright daylight, but a faint light appears and disappears on the screen, flickering like a firefly. This lighting pattern is a visual feature not found in the previous 12 toilets.

Hiroo Higashi Park Toilet north side exterior

There are 7.9 billion lighting patterns. It is taken from the number of world population. “The 7.9 billion lighting patterns, which are the same as the world’s population, continue to change like sunlight filtering through the trees during the day, and the moonlight and drifting fireflies at night, never to see the same pattern again.” It is the backbone of the concept by

Hiroo Higashi Park Toilet Appearance after sunset
Photo: Satoshi Nagare, provided by The Nippon Foundation

“It’s based on, ‘People are all the same in the sense that they’re all different. I wanted to create a toilet that expresses this idea.I want to create a toilet that is not only safe, secure, and clean, but also friendly to everyone. Considering that it will be built in a park, I wanted to make it a presence that always asks people something while being in their lives like public art.I will continue to ask people about the significance of this project. , I wish I could have a toilet like a monument.

I would be happy if as many people as possible could use this toilet without stress. I can only go as far as making it, so after this, I think it’s a toilet and a project that will be nurtured by everyone who uses it. ” (Mr. Ushiro)

At the end of the slope that curves to the left, it hits Gaien Nishi Dori.

Since the project site is located on the side of a slope in the center of the city where there is a lot of vehicle traffic, we have adjusted the lighting pattern so that it does not interfere with the driving of drivers coming down the slope. After repeated negotiations, it was approved as a toilet (according to a person in charge at The Nippon Foundation).

Photo: Satoshi Nagare, provided by The Nippon Foundation

So far, Mr. Go has expanded his field of activity, focusing on corporate branding, communication design, advertising planning and design, as well as interior design and artwork.

“I have always been interested in architecture.In addition to this park toilet design, I am currently working on another architectural project.Please look forward to it.”

Hiroo Higashi Park Toilet Exterior at night Photo: Satoshi Nagare, provided by The Nippon Foundation

Overview of Hiroo Higashi Park Toilet

location: 4-2-27 Hiroo, Minato-ku, Tokyo (Google Map)
design: Tomohito Go / WHITE DESIGN
pictogram design: Kashiwa Sato (SAMURAI)
Design and construction: Daiwa House Industry
layout cooperation: TOTO

The Nippon Foundation press release(July 27, 2022)
https://www.nippon-foundation.or.jp/who/news/information/2022/20220727-75254.html

The Nippon Foundation “THE TOKYO TOILET” project special site
https://tokyotoilet.jp/