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TERRACOTTA HUT

Program: Public Toilet

Location: Suichang, China

Size: 30 m2

Status: Competition Winner

 

AwAwDe is one of the top 5 winners of the Neo-toilet/Young Bird Plan 2018 competition out of the 1130 competitors. 

As far back as the Zhou dynasty, terracotta has been used as roof materials. Because of its durability and versatility, terracotta roof tiles carried through the establishment of Chinese traditional architecture and became a symbolic building material. Today, these earth colored tiles are still widely used in the construction of residential buildings in the rural areas of China. Other than roofing, stacks of terra cotta tiles have been used extensively in traditional garden architecture as privacy screens.

 

We propose to wrap the exterior facade by stacks of locally made terra cotta tiles, rendering a dynamic yet private screen. While allowing a constant airflow, this design achieves an intriguing architectural appeal, seeking its roots to the local culture. The villages are situated in mountain ranges and semi-rainforest climate zones with high humidity and medium level of sunlight. A screen wall perforates the traditional solid wall, and allows light to penetrate. During the day, natural sunlight lits the interior spaces and drastically reduces needs for artificial lighting. At night, light glows from the inside, making it a beacon on the paths to home. 

 

To further enhance privacy, a brick wall separates the main entrance from the stalls. This double corridor creates an important sequential experience from entering, to washing, and toileting. This unique architectural experience is not only functional but also dignifies the wrongfully expected and often unpleasant experience of public toilets. We hope by creating this airy, hygienic, and light filled space, we are onto a revolutionary path to change the quality of Chinese public toilets.

Credit: Emily Ling

Competition Organizer: Neo-toilet/Youngbird Plan

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