Eliminating architecture: the public toilet in Wellington

Abstract

In late November of 1996 a transformation of Courtenay Place in Wellington began. The area received a major renovation with changes to traffic patterns, the introduction of paved and textured walkways, extensive new plantings, street furniture and toilets. These new Courtenay Place toilets are no ordinary toilets. This is quite evident by their careful siting as centre point in the new urban landscape. Indeed with bright hues of yellow, green and blue and the flashes of glass tile detail they are like the jewels in the oasis of new trees. Why has Wellington City Council elected, and suddenly it seems, to make an architectural celebration of the public toilet? One need only walk in one of the many parks, or along the waterfront to become aware of the public toilet facilities in the city. Many seem to be of a distinctive architectural style with fine details resplendent of the relevant period of construction. We seem surrounded by little buildings of anonymous pedigree, quietly decaying through a neglect of basic maintenance. In recent times the indispensable requirement of clean, safe and assessable public toilets came to the fore because New Zealand's cherished 'clean and green' reputation with our foreign visitors, and to some degree domestic travellers, began to show some streaks. In the call to arms and toilet brushes, the City of Wellington ceased on the opportunity to indulge in a radical rethink of public toilets and 'toileting'. Enter the 'all new, all gender' Absolutely Positively Wellington Public Toilet and marvel at the heightened design considerations for you, the 'end user'.