The Bathroom Reinvented
Who says poo is taboo? In the first episode of Dwell's new video series, The Bathroom Reinvented, Virginia Gardiner makes a case for talking candidly about the can, explaining the designer's role in improving the loo.
A former editor at Dwell, Gardiner is an industrial designer at Design London Imperial College, where she is developing and promoting her plumbing-free toilet, the Gardiner CH4. "In America, we have a flush and forget mentality," she points out. But 2.6 billion people in the world lack any form of functional toilet, and humans create an average of two pounds of excretion per person per day.
In the video, Gardiner (who expounded upon her research in our June 2009 issue) reviews some new ideas for enabling better sanitation in even the most remote areas of the world, and breaks down the details on turning human waste into a high-value commodity.
Articles
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Waste Opportunity
While the Western world forgets its waste with a flush, 2.6 billion people don’t even have toilets. Virginia Gardiner ventures to the World Toilet Summit in search of sanitation’s…
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Graphic Design: Project Projects
Manhattan-based Project Projects may be a graphic design studio, but it works in all dimensions, on the page and off. Founded by Prem Krishnamurthy and Adam Michaels in 2004, the firm designs…
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Pee Green
In our June 2009 issue, we'll be running a concept feature that turns the taboo topic of toilets into a fascinating exploration of design solutions for addressing global sanitation and water…
Products
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Clivus Multrum Foam-Flush Toilet
Vitreous china bowl and water tank / Push-button flush / 3 ounces per flush
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Whole Bathroom Boost Box
The Whole Bathroom Kit from Boost Home can keep an extra $500 and 25,000 gallons of water from going down the drain every year. An entire set can be installed in an afternoon, so there's just no…
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Sancor Envirolet VF 700 Composting Toilet
Vitreous china bowl / External composting unit / Vacuum-assisted flush /
Dwell Collections
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The Bathroom Reinvented
Exploring everything from conceptual ideas about waterless toilets to just what it takes to integrate a greywater system into a residence, Dwell leads the conversation online about the future of…
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A Look at Bathrooms
We combed through our archives to present this pictorial ode to one of the most high-traffic spaces in the house—the bathroom.
Tips
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Maximize Space in a Tiny Bathroom
We have remodeled a tiny half bath under the stairs. To make the most of what little space we have we decided to use the stud spaces for as much storage as possible. A recessed medicine cabinet…
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How to Build a Lighting Concept
I’m a fan of floor lighting plus a couple of small table lamps for the living room. Use ambient lighting and low-wattage warm bulbs to create a relaxed atmosphere.
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Soapstone as a Bathroom Surface
I chose soapstone for the countertops and the walls due to its aesthetic similarity to concrete, and its porous nature.
Videos
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The Bathroom Reinvented
Industrial designer and London–based Dwell contributor Virginia Gardiner shares the ins and outs of her low-cost, low-tech concept for a waterless toilet system.
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The Bathroom Reinvented: Hyphae
Ecologist Brent Bucknum, principal of Hyphae Design Lab in Oakland, California, shares the ABC's of re-routing a home's waste water (greywater) to sustainably irrigate gardens and other green…
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Universal Design: Public Bathrooms
For the second offering of our two-part series on Universal Design, the folks from Smart head over to some public restrooms in New York, illustrating how principles outlined in the first video could…
Events
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Design USA: Contemporary Innovation
This exhibition features outstanding contemporary achievements in American architecture, landscape design, interior design, product design, communication design, corporate design, interaction…
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WaterDream: the Art of Bathroom Design
Duravit’s partnership with design powerhouse Philippe Starck has been recognized with accolades and awards across the globe. The latest honor comes close to home, in Atlanta, GA, the location…
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Planning India: From Chandigarh to NanoCity
swissnex San Francisco invites a panel of experts to discuss the past and future of urban planning in India, highlighting two examples: Chandigarh, a city mandated by the Nehru government in the…
Advertising
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Related Products
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Clivus Multrum Foam-Flush Toilet
Vitreous china bowl and water tank / Push-button…
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Whole Bathroom Boost Box
by Boost HomeThe Whole Bathroom Kit from Boost Home can…
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Sancor Envirolet VF 700 Composting Toilet
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Sofia Coppola has a nice loft for sale in Little Italy, but how 'bout those bentwood Breuer chairs? http://t.co/w4OdmvgZ #design #hubbahubba
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Sorry, didn't read it yet but I will but on the "face" of it, I recall a company out of Oregon, I believe, who has a product used in outhouse containers that ecologically turns fecal matter into disposeable waste. It is a new technology or concept. I wrote the name of the company somewhere and, pardon me, it this article includes it. I love your magazine, truly. Thank you.
exceptional concept and video. bravo :) when are you going commercial?
I'm pretty squeamish re bodily functions but this makes sense!
Fuller said this tech will come from space technology- but you made it on earth at least first steps. good thinking. I have question how can one clean thy self and what if a person made a mess. have you taking in sonsideration tradition and people whos ignroance may make problem using it. could you email me, want to ask you more questions- b Tim
nice idea :) would be fun to see everyone sat on those things outside there tents a festivals and such... well maybe not so great watching everyone on the loo but u get what i mean :) lol x
Definitely agree with what you stated. Your explanation was certainly the easiest to understand. I tell you, I usually get irked when folks discuss issues that they plainly do not know about. You managed to hit the nail right on the head and explained out everything without complication. Maybe, people can take a signal. Will likely be back to get more. Thanks.
Great video!Proper waste disposal is important to our health and environment as well.By your creation,water is conserve.Fantastic discovery.
Interesting concept, but will it catch on? I like the idea of conserving natural resources, e.g water..cool.
We shall look for alternative solution that can help to our living.From this step we can share it to others and can save our environment.Do more stories and video to inspire us and be like you.
Surely there will never be a shortage of water. We have the technology now to use sea water so there is no need to worry.
Very interesting concept! One factor Bob you mention that you doubt there will never be a shortage of water! I would not be too sure about that - as we speak there is a hosepipe ban due to the weather.
To be honest I was caught off guard but hey, it works right?
A bathroom designs idea -- can I really design my own bathroom? Why not! Today, the bathroom is much more than just a room for grooming and a place to read. Bathrooms can be a good place for home exercise equipment and a good music system or TV, for example.
What a fantastic invention! I love it!
I really like this idea!!! Very interested to see how this will work.
Composting your food waste is a start - this should be the logical next step ;)
Hey Guys, i would like to say thank you about this cool post, very helpful to me, Thank You.thank you!
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