Toiletowa
"All existence is born from the earth and is a cycle that returns to the earth," says architect Tono Mirai. This concept is embodied in his work TOILETOWA, located in Mitoyo City, Japan. More than just a building or public restroom, TOILETOWA serves as an environmental education space within the themed park "Santomi Past and Present Village," developed by Ishizaka Corp.
It is said that during the Edo period, Japan was one of the most recycling-conscious societies. The name "Santomi" traces back to the time when retainers of the fifth Tokugawa shogun, Tsunayoshi, enriched the barren soil of this area by planting trees and creating forests, leading to the village's prosperity through their wisdom. Today, the park continues to uphold the values of this dense woodland, guiding visitors through the recycling plant to experience sustainability with all five senses. Even the often-overlooked public restroom is used as an educational opportunity, showcasing a future model of a waste-free, recycling-oriented society.
From a distance, TOILETOWA resembles a giant mushroom, with its charming and delightful appearance formed by two semicircular rammed earth walls made of recycled soil, interwoven to create gentle curves extending through the forest. Topped with a slightly curved wooden roof, the building acts as a light well, connecting heaven and earth with sunlight streaming through its glass skylights. The circular main structure, built with recycled rammed earth developed by Ishizaka Corp, has a warm texture, while the foundation is made of crushed stone and wooden stakes to minimize environmental impact. Due to the lack of compressive strength in the rammed earth, soil mixed with lime was used and applied to a wooden framework hand-carved by young carpenters. The semicircular wooden structure adjacent to the restroom cleverly conceals the wastewater tank, which recycles and circulates wastewater to irrigate the surrounding garden crops.
Tono Mirai is an architect who creates contemporary structures using "earth." Through traditional wooden frameworks and modern recycling technologies, he designs organic-shaped modern structures that firmly convey the spirit of sustainability, bringing positive energy and joy to everyday life.
