Tag Archives: toilet

Kohler brutalist smart toilet conveys the transformative power of water

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It’s almost too easy to take for granted what a toilet looks like, especially considering what we use it for. At the same time, that’s the very reason why these fixtures need to not only be well-designed but also aesthetic, providing a sense of comfort and maybe even delight despite and in spite of the context. That is why the majority of toilets are designed with shiny white surfaces and smooth curves in an attempt to provide a visual and tactile contrast to their purpose. That said, that is hardly the only way to design a striking product, and this rather unique toilet design concept uses a different strategy that still manages to capture the eyes and the mind with its brutalist form inspired by the powerful waters that course through it.

Designer: Kohler x SR_A

There’s really no hard rule on what a toilet should look like as long as it functions as intended and is more or less comfortable to use. That toilets are often white, smooth, and curvy is simply a matter of convention and convenience. There are, of course, exceptions to these that add a bit of flair to the bathroom, and the Formation 02 is one design that immediately stands out from the crowd both in its shape and its unconventional color.

As if its orange paint weren’t enough to get it noticed, the Formation 02’s blocky and faceted form evokes a different imagery from typical toilets. It has a rough sort of character as if the whole body was hewn from stone, giving it a brutalist aesthetic you won’t find in any toilet. It’s a design chosen not merely for the sake of being different but for the message it tries to convey.

In particular, it tries to demonstrate the effects of moving water on its environment, shaping and changing the way things look. Sometimes it can smooth out rocks into pebbles, but sometimes it can also wear them down to rough surfaces. The Formation 02 represents both possibilities, with some sides smooth while others left rough and raw.

While it might indeed look rough on the outside, the Formation 02 is still a functional toilet that brings comfort and convenience once the lid is lifted, which can be done without even touching it. It’s a smart toilet, after all, and it offers a heated seat, customizable bidet cleansing, and more, allowing you to do your thing neatly and cleanly while appreciating the distinctive design of this one-of-a-kind toilet concept.

The post Kohler brutalist smart toilet conveys the transformative power of water first appeared on Yanko Design.

Engineer 3D Prints A Colorful, Functional Toilet

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Because great ideas come in all shapes and sizes (and colors), Youtuber Emily The Engineer decided to take it upon herself to see if she could 3D print a functional toilet. Could she? SPOILER: Yes– yes, she could. And I hope that this colorful commode serves as a reminder to us all that if you try hard and believe in yourself, anything is possible. Or you can at least 3D print yourself a toilet.

Due to the size of the toilet, the unit had to be split into numerous blocks for individual printing, and Emily took that opportunity to print the blocks in various fun colors. The result is what appears to be a LEGO toilet, or a Mondrian painting. My bathroom demands it!

Emily attached all the parts to one another using 3D plastic glue and a soldering iron to fuse where necessary. Even the tank float, flapper, and flushing mechanism are 3D printed, although a handful of metal nuts and bolts were required to connect everything.

Unfortunately, after testing, it appeared her design wasn’t strong enough to be attached to a traditional indoor plumbing system. So what did she do? What anybody would — attached wheels, armrests, smartphone charger, cup holders, and added a bidet. Boom — mobile toilet! Goodbye porta-potty, hello sporta-potty!

[via TechEBlog]

Wall-Mounted vs. Floor-Mounted Water Closets: Toilet Trends Today

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When renovating or designing a bathroom, the toilets can be categorized into wall-mounted and floor-mounted WCs. Just like any other fixture or finish selected for new home renovations, toilets come with considerations concerning aesthetics, ergonomics, cost, installation, and maintenance. The choice of wall-mounted or floor-mounted toilet bowls is crucial because it determines the layout of the plumbing. With so many options on the market, choosing the right one can be confusing. Learn the pros and cons of floor and wall toilets, then choose the one that’s right for you. Note that the primary difference between a wall-hung and a floor-mounted toilet is that the tank of a wall-mounted toilet is situated within the wall.

Designer: Zahari Gancheff

Wall-Mounted WC

A wall-mounted WC is fixed to the wall and no part of the WC touches the floor where the cistern is integrated into the wall cavity which houses the plumbing lines. It comprises four sections namely the wall tank that is hidden inside the wall, a flush actuator to control the flow of water, a bowl, and a seat. In addition, it incorporates a carrier in sturdy steel that provides adequate support to the tank and it anchors the bowl. To conceal the carrier, a secondary wall known as a ledge wall is constructed in the bathroom. The best part about wall-mounted toilets is that they do not require a drain in the floor like traditional floor-mounted toilets, making their installation simpler without the need for cutting into the floor.

Designer: Designer: Woodio

Advantages of a Wall-Mounted WC

  • A wall-mounted WC imparts a sophisticated and modern look and fit that enhances the overall aesthetics of the bathroom. It is perfect for a contemporary bathroom décor.
  • The biggest advantage of a wall-mounted WC is that it allows height customization and can be adjusted to suit the specific height requirements of the end user instead of being predefined by the toilet design. This is highly recommended for people with limited mobility. Note that in floor-mounted WCs, the height of each model is fixed, and adjustments cannot be made due to the specific shape and design of the toilet.

Designer: Homary

  • Another plus is that since it is attached to the wall and the tank is concealed within the wall it takes up less space, shows more of the tiles, and creates a visually light and spacious look to the interiors.
  • It conceals the spout and flush unit within the wall and offers a clean and stylish look.
  • Since no floor support in a wall-hung toilet, there is clear space underneath so the bathroom is easier to clean allowing one to easily sweep or mop the area.
  • Some models come with advanced options like a dual flush system, allowing users to save water by selecting between two buttons for flushing different amounts of water as per their requirements.
  • When properly installed, a wall-hung toilet should securely hold up to 200kg. However, it’s important to refer to the product guidelines as per the manufacturers for the accurate weight limit of a particular wall-mounted toilet model.

Designer: Yang Haojing

Disadvantages of a wall-mounted WC

  • However, wall-mounted toilets can be more expensive to purchase and more complicated to install.
  • Note that the installation can be difficult as it requires thicker walls for the tank and flushing system.
  • The installation of wall-mounted WCs requires thicker walls to accommodate their tanks and concealed flushing systems, which can present difficulties in homes where the walls are not thick enough. In such cases, it may be necessary to construct an additional wall or ledge wall to achieve the required thickness for proper installation.
  • Also, the plumbing for the concealed flush plumbing must be integrated before tiling the bathroom.
  • Another disadvantage is that access to the hidden flushing tank for maintenance can be very time-consuming and inconvenient for some. However, wall-hung toilets feature a readily detachable push plate, providing easy access to the mechanisms located behind them.
  • Wall-mounted toilets require regular maintenance as their brackets and bolts may become loose over a while due to continuous usage.

Floor-Mounted WC

Designer: Litfad

In these toilets, the tank is visibly separate from the bowl which is connected directly to the floor and they are securely bolted to the floor for stability. There are generally two types of floor-mounted WCs, an all-in-one is available that combines the flush tank and bottom pan in one and there is a two-piece option, which has a bowl to dispose off the waste and a separate tank to hold the rinse water that is assembled during installation. The two-piece option has two versions to choose from, there is a single flush option that uses the same amount of water for all types of waste and there is also a dual flush option that offers two rinse options to help save water.

Advantages of a Floor-Mounted WC

  • The floor-mounted WC is bolted to the floor, it is affordable in comparison to a wall-mounted WC and is easy to install.
  • Floor-mounted WC does not look sleek and minimalist when compared to wall-hung toilets but they are versatile and best suited for a wide range of bathroom design styles especially for bathrooms with a traditional décor.
  • These WCs are easy to repair as all their components are visible and easy to access. Note that if a part of the toilet is damaged, one only has to replace that part and not the entire toilet which makes it practical to use.

Designer: The Trend Will Out

  • These WCs can be installed before the tiling or after the tiling is complete.
  • Additionally, the plumbing required for a floor-mounted WC is less complex in comparison to the wall-mounted WC.

Disadvantages of a Floor-Mounted WC

  • The floor-mounted WC takes more space than the wall-mounted WC and can make compact bathrooms feel cramped.
  • Another disadvantage is that the cleaning can be tricky as there is limited access to the floor area around the base of the WC especially around the base and where the flush tank connects to the bottom pan. The space between these parts and connectors tends to collect dirt and grime and must be cleaned for sanitation and appearance.
  • Also floor-mounted WCs tend to leak if the surrounding rubber gasket is broken or damaged. Note that attaching or replacing the rubber seal can be difficult, causing inconvenience. Make sure to use spacers or sealant between the toilet screw and the floor to prevent water from entering the floor material.

Designer: Atlan Robotech

Should you go for a wall-mounted or floor-mounted WC?

Designer: Lusso

Selecting the ideal toilet for your bathroom will ultimately depend on your taste. The floor-mounted WC is easy to install and practical but from an aesthetic standpoint, wall-mounted toilets impart a modern appearance. They are highly recommended for compact bathrooms or tricky layouts due to their space-saving design. If the loud noise of a flushing toilet bothers you, a wall-hung toilet might be a good choice. Since the tank is inside the wall, the sound of refilling after each flush is much quieter compared to a floor-mounted toilet, where the tank is located outside, creating noise during the refill. In addition, they are easier to clean. Opt for a model that appeals to you and complements the overall design scheme of your bathroom.

The post Wall-Mounted vs. Floor-Mounted Water Closets: Toilet Trends Today first appeared on Yanko Design.

Tokyo’s quirky public toilet was designed to look like a large sink & includes a communal hand-washing basin

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Japanese architect Sou Fujimoto recently showcased the final installment of the Tokyo Toilet project – a public toilet that seamlessly merges a communal hand-washing design into its form and is meant to replace a toilet block near the Park Hyatt Tokyo Hotel in downtown Tokyo. The structure is the 17th toilet built in the city as a part of the Tokyo Toilet project. The project includes toilets designed by Pritzker Architecture Prize winners Toyo Ito, Tadao Ando, Fumihiko Maki, and Shigeru Ban.

Designer: Sou Fujimoto

“One could say that public toilets are a watering place in the middle of a city, a spring that supplies the town. They are available to various people who will use it for different reasons in addition to using the toilet, and I wanted to propose a space for washing hands as a public watering place,” said Fujimoto.  The toilet block was designed to mimic a large sink and includes a communal hand-washing area. It features an open-air corridor that segregates the all-white toilet block from the elliptical basin. The basin has been equipped with four taps installed at different heights. According to Fujimoto, it is “one vessel that is for everyone”.

“The shape, with a large depression in the middle, includes places for people of various heights to wash their hands so that everyone from children to older people can wash their hands within this vessel, creating a small community of people refreshing themselves and conversing. I hope this will be a new kind of public space, where people can gather surrounded by water,” Fujimoto continued.

Both the male and female toilets can be entered via the open-air corridor. But the disabled toilet and child-changing section has a different entrance at the end of the building. Much like the exterior, the interiors of the toilet are all-white accentuated by recessed lights positioned all over the walls. The toilet has a clean, concise, and minimal structure and aesthetic, much like the architecture commonly found in Japan. The Tokyo Toilet project is funded by the Nippon Foundation, and it includes other interesting toilets such as a cedar-clad public toilet designed by Kengo Kuma and a pair of transparent blocks by Shigeru Ban.

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Meet Block, the “world’s first” flush toilet built from wood chips

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Finland-based design company Woodio designed a toilet built entirely from wood composite. The wood composite was used to create everything from the seat to the toilet. Wood composite is supposed to be a pretty sustainable material since it produces 99% fewer emissions in its production than ceramics. The toiled is called ‘Block’, and was built using a material that Woodio founder Petro Lahtinen developed himself.

Designer: Woodio

The material is supposed to be 80 percent wood by volume and was created using locally sourced aspen and offcuts from the Finnish forest industry. The wooden composite was made by mixing a combination of fossil-based polyester and bioplastic resins, which make the composite waterproof and “practically unbreakable”, according to Woodio. “Its production process requires no heat and a fraction of the water and energy needed to create traditional ceramic or porcelain toilets,” said Lahtinen.

“There is nothing wrong with ceramic itself. It is the manufacturing process of the ceramics that causes the environmental impact. Typically, industrial ceramics are fired at 1,500 degrees Celsius for at least 12 hours and this heat is produced typically by burning gas, which obviously causes considerable CO2 emissions,” continued Lahtinen. Although Woodio claims that the material generates 99% lesser emissions as compared to ceramics, this claim does not involve any emissions from material sourcing or disposal, which do have a major impact on the complete footprint of a product.

Woodio claims that Block is the “world’s first” flush toilet to be made from the material, and can be burned for energy once it’s done being used, or at the end of its life cycle. This prevents the toilet from ending up rotting in a landfill. This is something to be considered, since the fact that the material is composite in nature, makes it impossible to recycle the toilet once its life cycle ends – which can be anywhere ranging from 10 to 50 years. This composite material was developed by Lahtinen way back in 2017, and since then has been utilized to build a variety of bathroom fixtures – from bathtubs to washbasins. Block is Woodio’s attempt to create the “world’s first” flush toilet from this material!

The post Meet Block, the “world’s first” flush toilet built from wood chips first appeared on Yanko Design.

Absolutely genius toilet design with a lid-activated flush only flushes when you’ve shut the lid

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Did you know that you’re supposed to close the lid each time you flush a toilet?! The lid isn’t there for aesthetic reasons, it’s there to make sure germs and bacteria don’t fly around into the air as particulate matter when you hit the flush. THAT’S what the lid is for! Well, I think I can speak on behalf of a lot of us but I was today-years-old when I got to know that… and sure, it sounds like a weirdly complicated procedure, but this award-winning toilet design makes the entire process easier. Dubbed ‘CLOSE THE LID’, this toilet’s clear lid IS its flush. The lid is directly connected to the toilet’s flushing system, activating it only when you shut the lid. The lid helps contain the water spray, preventing a ‘blowback’ of sorts, while its clear design lets you know if you.ve flushed successfully.

Designer: Yang Haojing

“The toilet lid employs a bicycle flywheel-like structure at the shaft to ensure that the flush is triggered when the lid is closed at a 45-degree angle—and only during the process of closing the lid, rather than continuously after the lid is closed”, says designer Yang Haojing. The cover of the lid is transparent, allowing you to check if the ‘payload has been delivered’ after a single flush. If you DO need to flush again, there’s a flush switch located on the lid too, letting you activate the flush again without lifting and closing the lid.

The CLOSE THE LID is a winner of the Red Dot Design Concept Award for the year 2021.

The Red Dot Awards: Design Concept is now accepting entries for its 2023 edition. Click here to participate or visit the Red Dot Awards website to learn more. Early Submission Phase ends on January 18th, 2023.

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Called the Portal, this $5000 toilet in the woods looks like a spaceship out of a sci-fi movie

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Jupe has completely revamped and transformed the concept of a public toilet with ‘The Portal’. Designed to be a sci-fi bathroom, the Portal is placed in the middle of the wilderness, completely elevating your outdoor bathroom experience. The Jupe team includes former Tesla and SpaceX designers and they’re quite excited to release their latest shiny porta potty.

Designer: Jupe

The Portal basically comprises of a luxurious box-shaped toilet that mimics a spaceship. Once you enter it, you are welcomed by a clean all-white interior, giving you the impression of being in heaven or any other ethereal place, when you’re sitting on the pot. It also features 200 watts of solar panels, a battery, and an inverter that supports stadium-like lighting and an always-on fan to eliminate odors. The solar panels are meant to be placed near the Portal, or in any position where the sun directly strikes their surface.

A key feature that Jupe focused on was ‘spaciousness’. I know, how spacious can a porta potty really be, but Jupe really did expand the area within the Portal. It has at least three times the interior volume of the usual portable toilet. This is also owing to the natural skylight that the designers have slid onto the roof. The Sky Portal carving on the ceiling transforms the sky into a beautiful canvas, creating an immersive optical illusion, and providing stunning views of the sky to the users. It also brings an ample amount of light into the compact space.

“A full-length mirrored window opens up panoramic, yet private, views of mother nature. A retractable-privacy shade draws down when you’re feeling shy,” said the designers. So, there is a window blind that users can roll down if they’re not in the mood to gaze at nature, and want to go about their business in private.

The toilet also detects when a user steps in. The second someone enters the Portal, a LED track lighting that runs along the ceiling, instantly turns on. Bright warm light and house plants are placed inside the toilet, to give it a cozy and homely feeling. A circular-waste transformation technology is also being integrated which will transform human waste into fertilizer. The Portal toilets will be available for sale in early 2023!

The post Called the Portal, this $5000 toilet in the woods looks like a spaceship out of a sci-fi movie first appeared on Yanko Design.

This Toilet Has a Gaming PC Built Into Its Tank

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Discontent with just bringing a portable gaming system like a Steam Deck or Nintendo Switch into the bathroom to play games while on the can, YouTuber Basically Homeless went and assembled a full-fledged gaming PC in the tank of his working toilet. He then mounted a monitor on the wall right in front of the toilet so he can play Counter-Strike while taking a global offensive. And they say dreams don’t come true!

The construction of the toilet PC basically involved reducing the tank’s water reservoir to a small well he built out of plexiglass, then adding all the computer components to the dry area of the tank outside the plexiglass well. He also added lights, built a window so you can see inside, and included an exhaust fan to keep the PC cool and reduce humidity inside the tank. Now he just needs to add a mini-fridge, and that bathroom will be complete.

So, if you were wondering what home improvement project I’ll be tackling this weekend, the answer is this: a gaming PC toilet. Probably immediately followed by repairing a massive leak, then next weekend, replacing the water-damaged drywall and carpet in the basement.

[via Kotaku]

This off-grid sustainable toilet aimed at rural areas ‘flushes’ with the help of sand + a conveyor belt

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In a world, where sanitation is considered a luxury and not a basic necessity, and 500 million people are still defecating in the open, this off-grid toiled called Sandi, designed by Brunel University graduate Archie Read, is a complete blessing. This sustainable toilet solution is aimed at rural areas where basic amenities like water and electricity may be unavailable. The idea for Sandi hit Read when he was working for a toilet company called LooWatt. LooWatt’s unique toilet system collects waste in a biodegradable polymer film, which although an innovative product, is still meant for urban cities. Although Sandi is still a concept, if transformed into a feasible reality, it could provide inhabitants of such locations with a solution that is not only sustainable but also safe and dignified. “If you have a nice complex electrical component, and you’re in a village that’s 50 miles away from any technician who can fix it, you can’t expect them to travel 50 miles there and 50 miles back to fix one toilet,” says Read. “It has to be in a situation that’s fixable by 90% of people themselves.”

Designer: Archie Read

There are definitely a lot of other off-grid toilets available on the market these days, but what sets Sandi apart from them is that it flushes. Although these other toilets do not require water to function, they do not flush ‘at all’,  making the entire affair an unsafe and uncomfortable experience.

Sandi, on the other hand, features three main components – a mechanical flush (for scenarios with no electricity), a basic conveyor belt to move the excreta away (in case of no water supply), and a divider placed inside the toilet bowl which separates the waste streams so that they can be repurposed as fertilizers. It also has two distinct compartments – one guides the urine into a container placed below, while the other features a basic conveyor belt, covered with a fine layer of sand, which renews every time someone flushes. Read selected sand as his material of choice, because it ensures that the feces do not stick to the belt, however, he proposes that sawdust or dirt could work great as well. Once you’ve finished your morning business, you simply press the flush handle, which instantly rotates and moves the conveyor belt away from your eyes, and discards the feces into the container below.

If a home consists of seven family members, the liquid container would need to be emptied every two days, whereas the container for solids after every four days. The urine can be instantly used as an independent fertilizer, whereas the feces can be buried to be utilized as compost a month later.

Reed envisions Sandi becoming a reality and being priced at $74 per unit. He doesn’t believe in charging exorbitant amounts for a product aimed at people’s safety and sanitation, since it is not a luxurious item, but a basic amenity.

The post This off-grid sustainable toilet aimed at rural areas ‘flushes’ with the help of sand + a conveyor belt first appeared on Yanko Design.

World’s First Chia Toilet: The Sprouthouse

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Who hasn’t dreamed of resting their rear on some soft green sprouts while they go about their bathroom business? Good news! YouTuber Ali Spagnola created the Sprouthouse: a toilet completely covered in chia seedlings. As far as good ideas go, I think we can all agree this one is Nobel Prize-worthy. Somebody get Ali one of those MacArthur Fellowship genius grants too.

First, Ali wrapped her entire toilet with gauze to hold the seeds while they spout, then carefully watered them every day for seven days until she had the world’s greenest toilet. She then takes a seat to test it, which she describes as “just a little moist, but in a satisfying way.” Wow, who knew sitting on a moist toilet could ever be satisfying?

Ali insists nobody should go their whole life without sitting on a Chia toilet, and I couldn’t agree more. I mean, is a life having never sat on a plant-covered crapper truly worth living? I, for one, don’t plan on risking it. Now I just need to convince my wife to not go into the guest bathroom for the next week.