Chongming County Park Mobile Toilet

An ecological toilet selected as one of Shanghai's 'Most beautiful toilets' in 2024 is located in Chongming Dongping National Forest Park, representing a typical type of mobile toilet in parks of Chongming County.

This ecological toilet is situated at the intersection of Dongping South Avenue and Shuishan West Road within the park. Its overall design integrates natural and humanistic concepts, combining functionality with artistry. Covering an area of 200 square meters, its exterior features a three-dimensional geometric shape that visually harmonizes with the surrounding natural environment. The toilet walls are decorated with water杉 (Chinese fir) wood panels of varying widths, preserving the natural growth rings and bark texture of the trees to convey an ecological and environmentally friendly message. A transparent glass roof allows natural light to enter, reducing energy consumption from artificial lighting while creating a bright and open atmosphere.

In terms of functional layout, the toilet fully embodies human-centered design.

• It is equipped with a baby care room and a third restroom to meet the needs of special groups, reflecting the concept of barrier-free services.
• A rest corridor provides visitors with a short resting space, enhancing the user experience.
• The interior features imitation stepping stone and pebble floor designs, simulating natural paths and adding spatial interest.
• The sink basins are shaped like lotus flowers, and the lighting fixtures adopt a bird's nest design, using natural elements to soften the cold impression of traditional toilets.

The facility配套 (facility配套 should be 'facility配套设施' but here I assume it means 'facility arrangements and space utilization') and space utilization have also been optimized. The toilet stalls are reasonably distributed to avoid congestion during peak hours. Other supporting facilities such as hand dryers and storage racks are readily available to meet basic needs. The design team has utilized local materials such as Chinese fir logs, flowers, plants, and stones to reduce construction costs and minimize environmental impact, adhering to sustainable development principles.

The selection of this ecological toilet reflects Shanghai's dual pursuit of ecological aesthetics and practical functionality in public facility construction. Its design not only provides comfortable and convenient services for visitors but also conveys environmental protection concepts through artistic expression, becoming a scenic spot within the park that combines functionality with观赏性 (ornamental value). The promotion of such mobile toilets will help improve the quality of public spaces in Chongming County and even Shanghai City, providing infrastructure support for the development of eco-tourism.