08/06: Tokyo
Yoyogi-Hachiman Public Toilet
Designer: Toyo Ito (Architect, born in 1941. After working at Kiyonori Kikutake & Associates, Ito founded Toyo Ito & Associates in 1971. His representative works in Japan include Sendai Mediatheque and Minna no Mori Gifu Media Cosmos. In 2011, he also established Ito Kenchiku Juku, a private school for rethinking the future of cities and architecture.)
Located on an irregularly shaped triangular lot beside the forest of Yoyogi Hachiman Shrine, which has a history of more than 800 years, the previous toilet was dark and uninviting despite its prominent position along Loop Route 6 (Yamate Dori). The redesign prioritized safety, accessibility, and ease of use—particularly ensuring women could feel secure using the facility at night.
The solution was a dispersed arrangement of detached structures that eliminates dead ends and improves visibility. Inspired by mushrooms sprouting from the forest floor, the design integrates the toilet with its natural surroundings while providing a bright, welcoming public amenity.