World-famous Australian Designer Mr. Marc Newson Joins The Tokyo Toilet Project

Acclaimed Australian industrial designer Mr. Marc Newson has become the latest creator to unveil a public restroom under The Nippon Foundation’s The Tokyo Toilet (TTT) project.

The new toilet in Urasando Park in tourist-heavy Shibuya Ward in the heart of Tokyo was opened to the public on January 20. This was the 14th of 17 public restrooms to be revamped under the TTT project launched in 2020 with the idea that they can be used safely and comfortably by anyone regardless of gender, age, or disability.

Mr. Newson thus joined an impressive lineup of mostly Japanese architects and design professionals, including four laureates of the Pritzker Architect Prize. Often referred to as “architecture’s Nobel,” winners include Mr. Tadao Ando, Mr. Toyo Ito, Mr. Shigeru Ban and Mr. Fumihiko Maki as well as Mr. Kengo Kuma, who designed the new National Stadium in Tokyo, the main venue for the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2021.

Explaining the design concept behind his toilet, Mr. Newson said: “Central to my design is the reference to vernacular Japanese architecture, including the copper minoko roof. Often found in shrines, temples and tearooms and in rural areas, I wanted the roof form to trigger a subconscious feeling of comfort and peacefulness amid its busy, hypermodern location.”

“It is important to me that the toilet feels trustworthy and honest inside and out: the bright interior is seamlessly and hygienically finished in a monochromatic green, one of my favorite colors. My design for the toilet focuses on functionality, simplicity, and creating an inviting and enduring space,” he said: adding: “I hope the toilet will become something not only magical but incredibly useful to find in Shibuya, like the many hidden gems within the city.”

Born in Sydney, Mr. Newson has been described as one of the most influential designers of his generation. He has worked across a wide range of disciplines, and his clients include companies such as Louis Vuitton, Montblanc, Hermès, Nike, Dom Pérignon, Jaeger-LeCoultre and Ferrari. He also served as creative director of Qantas Airways (2005-2015) and designed the first ‘Apple Watch’ in 2015.

Although Japan is generally regarded as a clean country with a high standard of hygiene, its public restrooms have had an image problem―dark, dirty, smelly, and scary are just some of the descriptions.

To dispel such notions, The Nippon Foundation launched the TTT project to install the 17 public toilets－all of them in Shibuya Ward－using the designs of world-famous architects to change people's perceptions.

The remaining three, designed by Mr. Miles Pennington from the U.K., Ms. Junko Kobayashi and Mr. Sou Fujimoto, are expected to be opened to the public by the end of March.

The restrooms are free of charge, wheelchair-friendly and kept immaculate by cleaning staff who work 365 days a year.

I sincerely hope that people, not only from Japan but also around the world, will feel comfortable using Mr. Newson’s and other TTT public toilets and enjoy the highly original designs of these world-class architects.