A Sense of Privacy

The Background

‘A Sense of Privacy’ is a speculative design project that addresses sensorial privacy and community using the public bathroom as a universal context. Public bathrooms are a universal space, with each of the human senses associated with different aspects of the encounter. Typically, the senses that are associated with privacy are sight and touch, as we do not normally feel the tactile presence of others in public bathrooms, nor do we see what others do. Instead, we adopt this paradox of the public bathroom as a space for public privacy, as well as a space for both personal and communal interactions. We allow others to hear and smell our presence, ignoring these aspects of privacy; this reinforces the illusion that the public bathroom is some sort of temporary haven, when it could be much more as a community space designed for its particular, universal function. What if the public bathroom could be made into communal experience, simultaneously questioning the forms of privacy we keep sacred, as well as those we forfeit?

The Design

This design manifests an alternate, sacred public bathroom experience. In sacred spaces we are permitted to act differently, so why not embrace this aspect of the public bathroom? The experience includes bathroom clothing, as well as accessories, that are dawned once in the space. The accessories help hinder smells and sounds, while the stalls are open to all. Shoes are removed in the space, as the floor is covered by water. People can feel each other’s movements through ripples in the water, while also seeing each other use the toilet. Privacy is being challenged, as well as the way it relates to community creation. If we question what kind of privacy we value and the sacredness of different spaces, society might discover new opportunities for community.