Sasazuka Park serves both as a familiar playground for local children, together with the adjacent nursery school, and as a daily pedestrian route linking the north–south streets of the neighborhood, used by people of all generations. This project takes the construction of a new public toilet as an opportunity to transform a previously dark and closed-off area of the park into an open and welcoming environment—one where anyone can stop by with a sense of ease and safety. The aim was to create a toilet that people naturally want to keep clean and feel inclined to use with care.

The site planning positions the toilet as an open presence within the park and the surrounding streets. The three volumes are arranged in a pinwheel-like configuration—kazaguruma in Japanese—opening the toilet to the park and the surrounding streets from all directions. The slight displacement of the three buildings creates visual openness and permeability, giving rise to a bright and approachable presence that encourages movement and circulation through the park.

At the center of the three volumes, a forecourt furnished with washbasins and benches forms a semi-outdoor space where light and wind freely pass through. Gently enclosed yet open, this space accommodates activities such as passing through, taking a short rest, or washing one’s hands, and functions as a public space that subtly encourages thoughtful and considerate use.

Each toilet cubicle is approached through this forecourt, easing the psychological resistance of entering directly from the park. The facility is designed to be comfortably usable by a wide range of people, including LGBTQ users, without stress or hesitation.

While moderately enclosed, the composition maintains clear sightlines, eliminating blind spots and enhancing safety at night. The all-gender toilet is planned with circulation suitable for wheelchair users and strollers, and baby beds and baby chairs are provided in the men’s and women’s cubicles to accommodate diverse needs. By distributing the functions across three separate volumes, interference from sound and odor is minimized, ensuring a calm and comfortable environment.

Architecturally, the building adopts a simple composition of reinforced concrete walls topped with steel plate roofs. The exterior is finished in board-formed exposed concrete, harmonizing with the natural character of the park while the textured surface helps deter graffiti. Considerations for cleanliness, durability, and ease of maintenance support the creation of a public facility intended for long-term use.