Temple - Marigold Washroom
The temple street of Malleshwaram is a religious hub with 5 hindu temples, and a jain temple. The street during festivals is decorated full of flowers and lights, creating an image that stays in people’s memories. A lot these temples use flowers as motifs, the rangoli at the entrance is also a flower and you see many street vendors selling flowers. In Hinduism, marigold symbolises the vibrancy and positivity of life and auspiciousness. The saffron/orange-coloured flower is offered to God as a symbol of surrender of the mortal human being to the supreme power. Hence, the form of the second washroom is a marigold. The roof is composed of layers of petals that in plan resemble a marigold and sectionally a marigold tree. The roof allows natural light to enter into the intimate spaces of the washroom and the layering of patels provides better ventilation. Rest spaces act as passive programming for these washrooms, connecting to an after-ritual of visiting a temple.
In both of the washrooms I use Vastu - Indian guidebook of energy flow to design the interior spaces of the toilet.
Please Note: The washroom designed here only looks at Designing with empathy in two domains Aesthetics and Functionality as the starting step for public washroom design in India. There are other domains yet to be tapped into when designing the washroom.
Many washrooms seem to be built merely to fulfill international sanitation goals, without genuinely benefiting the people they're meant to serve. Fear and stigma surrounding their use further complicate the issue, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive solutions that address not only infrastructure but also cultural and societal attitudes towards sanitation is important.
My project, thus Elevates sanitation to be a vital public infrastructure, fostering inclusive spaces that reshape user mindsets, support inhabitants' experiences, and instill a sense of public responsibility.
