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EBISU STATION,
WEST EXIT PUBLIC TOILET

1-5-8 Ebisu-Minami

Creator
Kashiwa Sato
Creative Director / Representative of SAMURAI INC.
EBISU STATION, WEST EXIT PUBLIC TOILET EBISU STATION, WEST EXIT PUBLIC TOILET

Photo by SS. inc

Megu Watanabe

Chief, General Construction Division, Tokyo Head Branch
Daiwa House Industry Co., Ltd.

The structure of the building is formed by aluminum bars suspended from above surrounding the central cube. There is a 20-millimeter gap between the louvers. The actual sized prototype from the creator proved the balance and beauty of the exterior surface. The planning and construction had to be precise to achieve the design laid out down to the millimeter level. We adjusted the drawings by several millimeters so that the steel underpart of the louvers could not be seen through the gap and prepared several samples finely showing the lines and colors of the louvers to bring the images of the creator to life.

EBISU STATION, WEST EXIT PUBLIC TOILET

Photo by SS. inc

What we aimed for was an inclusive toilet encompassing all types of people. Our plans went beyond just "men and women" to include facilities for people to choose booths according to their own needs, including those bringing babies with them, the elderly, pregnant women, or users of the nursing care bed. We gave thought to the right slope for wheelchair users and adopted a design to match the exterior height with the sloping area around the site. The wall coating makes it easy to remove dirt or graffiti, giving consideration to ease of use and maintenance while preserving the design.

Looking back on the project

The pictograms for THE TOKYO TOILET were designed by Mr. Kashiwa Sato. The fact that they incorporated my own opinions for the balance and height when placing them on the building is a good memory for me. The weather was cloudy or rainy during the construction work, but close to completion we had an almost glaringly sunny day. Looking upward from the pure white of the path reflecting the rays of the sun, the blue sky appeared to be framed by the steel structure with the suspended louvers. It was a difficult project, but I still retain both the beauty of that moment together with the sense of achievement on completing it.

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