compartment s4 resolves india’s poor public toilet maintenance
Conceived by Compartment S4, ‘Toilet, No Toilet’ is a social infrastructure project that addresses challenges of poor public toilet maintenance in India while promoting environmentally sensitive architecture and fostering community development. The mixed-use public toilet sits within a bustling market in Uttarakhand, transcending its functional purpose by incorporating indigenous design elements and embracing a public-private model. With sanitation facilities on the lower level and a leasable commercial space above, the project introduces a replicable model across similar regions, serving as a catalyst for economic growth and community empowerment. By embracing vernacular techniques and locally available and economical materials such as stone, wood, bamboo, and tin sheets, Compartment S4 revives the region’s rich architectural heritage while supporting the local economy.
Compartment S4 unveils ‘Toilet, No Toilet’ | all images by Nishant Singhani
part sanitation facility, part commercial space
‘Toilet, No Toilet’ seamlessly blends into the hilly terrain, accessible from both the lower and upper roads. The facility’s lower level is a solid stone construction that houses the public toilet while the upper level features a wooden structure encased with bamboo screens and stitched panels for a false ceiling, housing a café and local store. This upper commercial space can be leased to a private entity, generating a regular monthly revenue for the government which in turn aids in the maintenance of the sanitation facility below, ensuring its sustainability and functionality.
Compartment S4’s approach not only promotes eco-friendly construction practices, but also preserves traditional craftsmanship and creates employment opportunities within the community. Further, the design practice’s private-public model also ensures the coexistence of essential public facilities and revenue-generated commercial spaces. Redefining the concept of a public toilet, the hybrid block’s success in Bhateliya has made it a model for replication in other similar conditions across Uttarakhand.
Compartment S4 revives the region’s rich architectural heritage while supporting the local economy
the building integrates into a hilly terrain, accessible from both the upper and lower roads
the building utilizes locally available and economical materials such as stone, wood, bamboo and tin sheet
a teak wooden door and signage showcasing local culture
stone masonry houses the public toilet on the lower level
public toilet facility
the upper level features a wooden truss structure encased with bamboo screens
wooden dormer window
a wooden structure enclosed with bamboo screens is used in the upper floor
the project sits amid a bustling market in Bhateliya which also serves as a gateway to Mukteshwar
project info:
name: Toilet, No Toilet
architecture: Compartment S4
location: Bhateliya, Uttarakhand, India
built area: 59 square meters
designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.
edited by: ravail khan | designboom
