takenosuke sakakura's 'tokyo toilet' is an inviting structure that glows like lantern at night

japanese architect takenosuke sakakura has designed a public restroom as part of the ongoing ‘tokyo toilet’ initiative. the project involves the design and build of 17 restrooms across shibuya city, designed by architects such as tadao ando, shigeru ban, nao tamura. takenosuke sakakura’s design — named ‘andon’ after a type of lantern — replaces a restroom in nishihara itchome park, which was described as uninviting and rarely used.

all images by satoshi nagare, courtesy of the nippon foundation

‘we thought it was important to create a facility that not only fulfills the basic requirements of a public restroom, such as having enough toilets to ensure a reasonable wait time, but offers a unique appeal that encourages more people to use the facility,’ explains takenosuke sakakura, who is chairman of the board of directors at sakakura associates. externally, the building appears as a bright and welcoming structure that becomes softly illuminated at night.

the restroom contains three unisex stalls, which are each equipped with large and small toilets and a sink. once inside, the form and outline of trees are visible on the frosted glass walls. ‘by constructing a facility that is bright and open in the limited space of the site, we hope to improve the image of not only the restroom but the entire park,’ continues the architect. ‘we hope that the restroom will illuminate the park like andon, or lanterns, creating an inviting public space for the visitors.’ see all of the ‘tokyo toilet’ designs on designboom here.

project info:

name: andon
design: takenosuke sakakura
initiative: the tokyo toilet / the nippon foundation

location: nishihara itchome park, shibuya city, tokyo
completion: september 2020

photography: satoshi nagare