The Living Toilet
2022
The aim of this project was to develop a speculative toilet design that addresses and comments on a specific societal issue. The chosen site for this intervention is the South Kensington Pedestrian Tunnel, a historic passageway built in the 1880s that serves as a key route connecting various points along Exhibition Road.
Observing the site at various times of the day led me to explore the themes of light and air. The tunnel suffers from poor ventilation, allowing stagnant underground air to infiltrate the passage. Additionally, the stark lighting against the white tiles creates a harsh, almost clinical atmosphere. In response, I propose a ‘living’ toilet—one that transforms the space, alleviating the sense of confinement and introducing a more organic, refreshing experience.
The Final Design -
The Final Design -
The Living Toilet
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The tunnel's only source of natural light comes from directly beneath the overhead glass boxes. I wanted to harness this light to enhance the fresh atmosphere I was creating and to sustain the moss.
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Incorporating moss as a living element in this toilet design enhances the control of air quality affected by the trains and ventilation.
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Another aspect of the toilet design includes a built-in seating area, positioned away from the walkway. This feature helps break up the tunnel's continuous length, adding a sense of pause and variation to the space.
