Benjo Tokoro - Toilet, Information and Relaxation Centre

Translated from Japanese as "Toilet Place", this is a minor design project of Year 1 at Ravensbourne College. The unit aimed to introduce the skills and knowledge necessary for the production of a freestanding building and the imperatives which drive their creation and use.

It looks at the relationship between interiority and architecture (between the qualities of an interior space and the externalised form of the building) as a site for enquiry and to demonstrate an understanding of the interrelationship of buildings, use, users, site, urban infrastructure and context.

The materiality reflects the surroundings and also creates references to the design inspirations of Japanese Buddhist architectural designer, Kenzo Tange. Furthermore, the materiality is environmentally sound. With the trees and the positioning of the photovoltaic cells on the glass roof above, these allow the creations of various abstract shaped lights that creates an artistic mood to this place, whch allows those that use this facility to feel calmer and less intimidated by the dominant presence of the concrete.

When night falls, to reflect the vivid colours that are on show along the entire riverside Brutalist buildings, the Corian Elements of the design light up in a rainbow of colour.
The light intensity created centrally transforms the dynamic of the facility to reflect the more majestic traditions by creating a sense of sanctuary. The illuminated ramps create aisles to strengthen this relationship to those traditions.