“Please let me join in Mr. Maki's project,” offering myself, I visited a number of buildings that he had designed to date and prompted my speculations, awaiting the project to start. His design this time, however, was far different from what I had expected. What amazed me was the fact that he had already completed the basic design, perspective drawings, models, and even the basic study of the curved roof structure in just about one and a half months. The fact displayed the commitment and pride of the world-class architectural office, which made me rethink how "accuracy in basic design” should be.

The “Squid Toilet” was built in the park with an octopus play equipment. Its lightly curved roof has a unique structure with thin flat bars supporting a 16mm thick steel plate weighing about 2 tons. In addition, this building does not have roof gutters, which are usually attached to a roof. The design without roof gutters was enabled by the mechanism where the rainwater drainage is placed on the upper surface of the roof. It would be our pleasure if visitors take a look at this building with such a meticulous design in mind, even behind its weathering structure.

It’s always been my dream to build a “facility used by many people,” and that’s why I wished to join in this project. When the toilet was completed, an architectural magazine that I had been reading since I was a student featured the project, with my name appearing as one of the members. That was truly a memorable moment. There are many other toilets built under the project in Ebisu, so I’ve had private toilet tours in Ebisu. Whenever I visit them, I find many people there taking pictures, which made me realize the great deal of public attention to the project.

What impressed me the most was a phrase of one of the staff of the architectural office, “Friendliness and safety to users come first.” While sticking with their designs and never compromising on any details, they were yet flexible in the areas related to usability and safety as required by authorities. I admired their attitude toward seeking a good balance between design and operability. They also deliberated the environment surrounding the toilet, such as the positions of security cameras and vending machines that had been there from long ago, which made me learn how I should function as a designer down the road.