Don't miss the latest stories
Spherical Restroom Controlled By Voice Could Be Tokyo’s Most Hygienic Toilet
By Alexa Heah, 17 Aug 2021
Subscribe to newsletter
Like us on Facebook
Image via Satoshi Nagare, courtesy of the Nippon Foundation
The chief creative officer at TBWA\HAKUHODO, Kazoo Sato, has recently designed “the most hygienic public toilet.”
The design comes as part of the The Tokyo Toilet Project, a Nippon Foundation initiative that has allowed designers and architects to transform 17 different facilities. Other installations so far include public restrooms shaped like mushrooms, and one designed in the form of a cozy house.
The latest installation stands out with its full voice-command features. As public toilets are often seen as “dirty” by most, the voice-operated washroom allows users to open and close the door, flush, wash their hands, and even play music without ever touching a surface. This feature was needed even more following the outbreak of COVID-19.
“If this toilet could deliver a ‘Clean City Tokyo’ image to the world, I would be extremely happy,” said Sato.
The new restroom is located in the middle of Tokyo’s commercial center, Shibuya, and has opened its doors to the public. It’s housed in a white spherical building, which has also been designed with a high ceiling to aid airflow and prevent odors.
If you happen to pass one of the Tokyo Toilet project washrooms, anyone can use them. The facilities are all gender-inclusive, and can accommodate the elderly, parents of young kids, and persons with disabilities.
The voice-operated bathroom is the 12th in the series, with 5 more designs expected to be revealed soon. To see the rest of the designs, head over here.
Image via Satoshi Nagare, courtesy of the Nippon Foundation
Image via Satoshi Nagare, courtesy of the Nippon Foundation
Image via Satoshi Nagare, courtesy of the Nippon Foundation
Image via Satoshi Nagare, courtesy of the Nippon Foundation
[via The Tokyo Toilet Project, images via Satoshi Nagare, courtesy of the Nippon Foundation]
Receive interesting stories like this one in your inbox
Also check out these recent news