Does aesthetics matter in sanitation infrastructure?

Sulabh is a social service organization working in the sanitation sector. Here, they view ‘toilet’ not just as a ‘toilet’. It has aesthetic, commercial, and social values behind it. I had the opportunity to interview Hony. Chief Architect, Sulabh in December 2019. He is very enthusiastic about using different forms, shapes, and colors to encourage the users to change their perception while looking at these facilities with several add-on services.

In his current project in Cape Town, he has used bright color schemes which are more preferred by students there. This area previously did not have fully operational toilets. Sulabh tried to get connected directly to students and studied their preferences. Over a span of four years, Sulabh has not only increased student attendance but also reduced the rate of drug use, vandalism, and sexual abuse there. Students have further created a club called ‘I’m Possible’ and carry out activities like poster making competitions to further enrich the common toilet’s look. Other good habits like handwashing have also been inculcated in their daily lives because of this program. This project was further extended to 93 other schools until now. Other projects there involved constructing entire toilet blocks out of steel. These have set an example and are highly demanded to be replicated in India as well by well-renowned companies and corporates through CSR programs.

The Shirdi toilet model (major pilgrimage site) is the largest model of ‘Public Toilet Blocks’ for sanitation constructed by Sulabh. They have especially given importance to the heritage over there and designed the building accordingly. It serves over 3,00,000 visitors during pilgrimage daily. They have bio-digesters at this location which treats the waste on-site and supports the electrification of this center. Apart from this, the rest manure is used by the gardens surrounding it and the rest of it is also used in the farms. They have also worked for constructing these facilities inside the seven wonders of the world. Their project in the Taj Mahal received great accolades for its sustainable design. 

Other interesting designs include creating a metro styled model with advertisements outside and having an air-conditioning system inside (Just a small note, air-conditioning systems are like luxury in such places). In one of their projects, they have placed an interactive touchscreen wall inside which gives information of news across the globe. Techniques like retrofitting have also been used at places. Solar technology and optimum use of daylight are used in others. I personally found their model of including a coffee shop attached to a block fascinating. The glass screen above it makes the entire block look like Times Square in New York.

These models show that Sulabh is pioneering in this field and envisions to change user’s perception of the sanitation blocks. They equally value preserving the heritage, creating sustainable systems, and making infrastructure more cordial with user demands. This provides a guiding path to change the perception of looking towards the infrastructure of the public and community toilet blocks beyond there basic utility so as to make these facilities more hospitable and user-friendly.

By: Pradnya Latkar