A sustainable public toilet? Thanks, Portland.
Portland officials say the Loos buck many of the conventions of public toilets: They are not installed in out-of-the-way spots where no one will see them. Rather, most are placed along sidewalks in full public view.
They are not self-cleaning, but are made of prison-grade steel with plumbing so basic that they are almost impossible to damage, and a twice-a-day check by maintenance staff seems to keep them in good working order.
The only water faucet is on the outside, making customers less likely to linger for hair-washing or laundry.
Perhaps most important, they aren’t all that private. Louvered slats from foot level to knee level and again just above head level make activity inside somewhat visible, and audible, to passersby.
Photo credit: Rick Bowmer / Associated Press
