Amazing Toilets and Bathrooms, Part #1

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In the words of Monty Python . . . 

Wondering what I would post for Bytes today and thinking that I needed to go to the loo, the thought came to me, something different, some pics of amazing toilets.

It also gives me the opportunity of repeating the following item, which is marginally relevant but quite funny:

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The ladies' room at Mumin Papa Cafe in Akashi, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan

This toilet is surrounded by an aquarium filled with about 300 fish and a sea turtle. The effect is to make visitors feel like they are immersed in an underwater world. Koichi Miyanaga, the cafe's owner, was inspired to build the restroom when he once had the pleasant sensation of relieving himself in the ocean. He wanted other people to have a similar feeling. The restroom cost approximately 30 million yen (nearly $300,000) to build, but it has contributed to a nearly four-fold increase in the number of visitors to the restaurant.

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One way mirror toilet, London

The toilet is a work of art known as “Don’t Miss a Sec” created by conceptual artist Monica Bonvicini. It is made of one way mirror glass so that people can see out but not see in and it was first exhibited at a construction site across from the Tate Britain Museum in London in December, 2003.

Freaky, not something I would feel comfortable using.

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Elevator shaft bathroom, Guadalajara, México

The bathroom forms part of a penthouse located on top of a building in Mexico. The elevator shaft was intended for a second lift that was never installed, the bathroom having been built over it with a glass floor so that it looks down the shaft for 15 floors.

Not for those with vertigo. Still, what more appropriate place to crap your pants.

Btw, here is some more of the penthouse . . .

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Armchair toilet

There’s no rule that toilets need to be Spartan, as the pic above proves. It gives new meaning to the old routine of taking a magazine or a newspaper with you, although these days it would be more likely to be a smartphone.

Some more examples . . . 

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The Urilift, Holland

The Dutch, being water management specialists, have solved the problem of unsightly public toilets that serve only one person at a time with the Urilift. Capable of hosting 3 persons at one time, it can be removed from public sight when not in use. They are up at night and down in the morning.

Go Holland!

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The Vertebrae Toilet:

Resembling a human spine somewhat and so named, this toilet is a space saver. It has been dubbed the Swiss Army Knife of toilets and comprises a toilet, sink, two storage units, cistern and two shower heads.

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Mouth Urinals, Frankfurt, Germany

The urinals in the men's bathroom in the Goldman Hotel in Frankfurt, Germany are based on Mick Jagger's famous lips. Opinion is divided on whether the urinals are funny or offensive.

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Urinals with Murals, Queenstown, New Zealand:

These murals in the Sofitel Hotel in Queenstown, New Zealand, give new meaning to taking the piss out of a situation. (C’mon, you knew a pun or two had to come sooner or later.)

Some similar:

Zeta Bar, Kuala Lumpur

Bangkok Airport

The Sao Joao da Madeira shopping centre in the Northern part of Portugal takes it one step further. It has a bathroom decorated with female mannequins who lurk eerily behind the urinals.

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