#1 A LOO WITH A VIEW

ICHIHARA, JAPAN

Design: Sou Fujimoto Architects  

Location: Ichihara, Japan 

Acclaimed Japanese architect, Sou Fujimoto has caught our eye this year with his design of the largest and most peaceful public toilet in the world.

The elegant loo is nestled amongst cherry, plum and peach trees overlooking a breath-taking secret garden. While the design of the facility is made out of clear glass the 2 metre wooden log roll wall promises guest the highest security while using the toilet.

To avoid long queues the loo is only open to women and allows just one person in at a time. Sou wanted to capture the feeling of openness while also maintaining privacy and security in visitor's surroundings.

You can find the toilet just outside of Itabu Station; just east of Tokyo, where it's well known for its cherry blossoms. The premises comprise of 200 square metres of natural beauty allowing users to appreciate the openness and serenity of the natural space. 

Visitors are welcomed in through a locked door with a quaint trail leading to the glass cubicle. The structure opened in 2012 in preparation for the city’s annual art festival after officials decided that there was no tourist friendly toilets for visitors. Although the toilet cost £77 million, the town hopes it will become a structure for tourism as well as peace.