The Tokyo Toilet Project is an urban redevelopment project in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Japan. It involved the design and construction of modern public restrooms that encourages their use as well as the use of the surrounding public spaces. In total, 17 structures were designed by 16 globally recognized architects who used their creative skill to erase the conventional negative image of public restrooms and to create inclusive spaces that were also safe and clean. The distinctive buildings are as much works of art as they are a public convenience. These images are part of a larger body of work documenting the aesthetics of these structures, both exterior and interior, and their visual relationship to the city.
My vision for this project is to portray the subjects as beacons in a busy urban environment. Using light and shadow each of the subjects is isolated and unveiled to give the work its essence. The surrounding cityscape remains ghost-like in the background. In addition to being unique, each of the buildings shares an atmosphere that makes one pause and reflect on their ascetics. Some of them are playful spaces in the bustle of the urban backdrop. Others have lovely details that set a tone of self-reflection. Each of these public structures are works of art that shine as beacons in their setting and demonstrate that public design can go beyond functionality to represent cultural and artistic value.
