Conceived by the architecture atelier M2.senos - arquitectos, owned by the brothers Sofia Senos and Ricardo Senos, based in Ílhavo, the public toilets in front of the cemetery of Ílhavo are definitely the world's most famous contemporary toilets !
This totally unthinkable yet challenging project has been a reference in many architecture and lifestyle magazines in the United States, Brazil, Thailand, China, Canada and Sweden, for example. An abstract object: no doors, no windows, no sheds or porches. A must-see for modern architecture fans !
The parish of São Salvador, in Ílhavo, challenged the architects Sofia and Ricardo Senos to transform the old building which was huge and very close to the chapel. The goal now was to make it smaller and to free the chapel. The old building was demolished and a new one was born.
The idea of using ceramic tile coating came naturally. And it was evident: the ceramic tiles had to be green. The object should be more related to the natural elements, and less with the constructed ones, highlighting the church that is so closeby. To achieve this, to create a uniform and neutral object, the ceramic tile must coat the entire building, from the facades to the rooftop. This is a building without technology, which means that is the wind (strengthened by the north-south orientation) that dehumidifies and renews the air. All the interiors are white and have natural lighting through skylights, which reinforces luminous comfort.
The new building had 3 toilets for ladies, gentlemen and physically challenged persons, as well as small area for the gravedigger and his helpers, where they could rest have a shower or change clothes, or even keep their transport cart. LocationGoogle MapsSocial mediaFacebook