A Clear Advantage to Transparent Restrooms

When using a public toilet, there are two main concerns: cleanliness and making sure no one else is inside. In Tokyo, the nonprofit Nippon Foundation created “The Tokyo Toilet Project,” to combat these issues, Forbes reports. Through this project, 16 well-established architects were tasked to renovate 17 public toilets in the parks of Shibuya, Tokyo.

The most popular design, from architect Shigeru Ban, featured units of colored transparent glass. These public toilets rely on new smart glass technology. When the doors are locked, the walls turn opaque, so users know with one glance whether the restrooms are occupied. At night, the restrooms light up the park, acting as lanterns.