flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

Periscope structure gives public toilet an unobstructed sea view

Periscope structure gives public toilet an unobstructed sea view

Views of the seafront is meant to give users a sense of tranquility.


By BD+C Staff | August 15, 2014
Renderings courtesy Adam Wiercinski Architekt
Renderings courtesy Adam Wiercinski Architekt

Planned on a site with stunning views of the Baltic Sea, it would’ve been a pity to sacrifice great scenery for the sake of privacy when designing a public toilet structure in Gdynia, Poland.

But Polish architect Adam Wiercinski came up with a solution: periscopes. This allows the user to observe the sea from a mirror instead of the traditional window, placed conveniently above the sinks.

“By placing the upper mirror of this periscope mechanism at a height of 4m,” the firm's website explains, “view of the water is raised above the boulevard’s level and the strolling people.”

This also ensures visitors an undisturbed view of the ever-changing Baltic Sea.

According to ArchDaily, the simple, monolithic concrete structure's graceful curve resembles the sea's breakwater. Thus, the shape seamlessly works as a transition between the building and landscape. 

In the space between the men's and women's bathrooms are benches for people to sit and reflect, which the firm contends will be able to accommodate more people than a traditional bench.

 

Related Stories

Architects | Jan 28, 2016

25-year-old architect wins competition for World War I memorial in Pershing Park

Joe Weishaar and sculptor Sabin Howard were selected from among five finalists and over 350 entries overall.

| Jan 28, 2016

AIA CES class: The rainscreen approach to a better building envelope

Building envelope expert Bradley Carmichael of Hoffmann Architects explains how rainscreen wall systems work and evaluates the effectiveness of various rain-control methods, including mass walls, perfect barriers, and masonry veneers. This AIA/CES class is worth 1.0 learning unit.

Architects | Jan 28, 2016

2015 was a record year for mergers and acquisitions in the AE industry [infographic]

Consulting firm Morrissey Goodale tracked a record 234 sales of U.S.-based A/E firms last year.

Architects | Jan 27, 2016

NCARB to rename the Intern Development Program

This June, the program designed to guide aspiring architects through the early stages of their career will be renamed the Architectural Experience Program (AXP).

Architects | Jan 26, 2016

HOK promotes Bill Hellmuth to chief executive

Hellmuth is set to replace Patrick MacLeamy, who will remain as the firm’s chairman.

Mixed-Use | Jan 25, 2016

SOM unveils renderings of dual-tower Manhattan West development

The five million-sf project includes two office towers, a residential tower, retail space, and a new public square.

Office Buildings | Jan 21, 2016

Nike reveals design, first images of planned 3.2 million-sf expansion to its world headquarters

The expansion looks to combine design elements inspired by human movement, speed, and the strength and energy of competition.

Market Data | Jan 20, 2016

Architecture Billings Index ends year on positive note

While volatility persists, architecture firms reported healthy performance for 2015.

Architects | Jan 18, 2016

EHDD’s Monterey Bay Aquarium wins AIA Twenty-five Year Award

The aquarium set new technical standards for the building type, which still influence today, such as the flow-through seawater-based heat pump system, naturalistic exhibitions, and corrosion protection.

Architects | Jan 15, 2016

Best in Architecture: 18 projects named AIA Institute Honor Award winners

Morphosis' Perot Museum and Studio Gang's WMS Boathouse are among the projects to win AIA's highest honor for architecture.

boombox1
boombox2
native1

More In Category


Urban Planning

Bridging the gap: How early architect involvement can revolutionize a city’s capital improvement plans

Capital Improvement Plans (CIPs) typically span three to five years and outline future city projects and their costs. While they set the stage, the design and construction of these projects often extend beyond the CIP window, leading to a disconnect between the initial budget and evolving project scope. This can result in financial shortfalls, forcing cities to cut back on critical project features.



Libraries

Reasons to reinvent the Midcentury academic library

DLR Group's Interior Design Leader Gretchen Holy, Assoc. IIDA, shares the idea that a designer's responsibility to embrace a library’s history, respect its past, and create an environment that will serve student populations for the next 100 years.

halfpage1

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021