My toilet design team and I have been very successful with coming up with new ideas for our ideal toilet. The group consists of myself, Maya Luna, and Denny. After viewing the slide deck of the different types and styles of toilets, we first decided that the S bend of the toilet should not be exposed, so that we have a clean and sleek aesthetic. We than began looking up different design ideas in order to conserve water. Denny found a great design, in which the sink is actually attached to back of the toilet. After going to the bathroom, you wash your hands with fresh clean water. That same water is then stored in the tank as grey water, so that next time the toilet flushes it recycles the water you just used. We all agreed that this would be very effective in saving the environment, and would also promote sanitation a great deal. Because the toilet and sink are one entity, I would also think that it would be cheaper to make this one product, instead of producing the two separately. We are also trying to determine what is the cheapest and most sustainable material to make this toilet with. And of course, coming up with ways to make the design culture sensitive.

Our goal is to make a design that is aesthetically pleasing, conserves water, saves money, and is culture sensitive. As of right now, we did not assign specific rules/duties for each person. We are altogether contributing ideas for our toilet. I think once we get a concrete design down, we will then assign roles for each person to fufill. Overall, it’s been fun and I think we will learn a lot through the makings of our design.

The first toilet I stumbled upon it accidentally, and it seemed pretty gruesome. I got locked out of my apartment one day, so I had to keep myself busy outside. I visited the nearby park right outside my apartment, Carl Schurz Park. I really had to go to the bathroom, and saw a public restroom within the park, so without hesitation, I went inside. As soon as I stepped into the restroom, I realized that the floor was submerged with water. I went into the stall, to see that the floor tile was also completely covered in water, the toilet seat covered with urine from the last person who was in there, and damp toilet paper to my side. It was, to say the least, very enjoyable to go to the bathroom in this stall, as you can probably see from the pictures. I would rate it a 2 for aesthetic, it is neither an attractive nor ugly design. I give it a 3 for economical purposes, because it does seem like an affordable design- it isn’t too fancy, but it also might be too expensive for underprivileged people. I rate it a 3 for culturally sensitive, and a 2 for sustainability. Obviously the overflowing water in the place proved it to be possibly harmful to people who come in contact with this water. I can even go as far as to say that cholera might be a potential danger in this situation.

As for the good toilet I came across, I would have to say the New School toilet in the 11th Street Eugene Lang building on the 4th floor, is the best toilet I’ve come across recently. It is a sensor activated flush, which is a lot more sanitary than the average toilet. And for the stall itself, it was extremely clean. The area seemed spotless. I would give this toilet a 3 for aesthetic. It is aesthetically pleasing, but I wouldn’t quite say it is a “work of art.” Keeping in mind the economy, I would rate this toilet a 2.5, its production would not be affordable to the  majority of the public, but also still more affordable than something extremely luxurious, like a Japanese Toto, for example. I would give it a 3 for sustainability, because it seems like it fully protects people from pollution/damage. However, I was in class this morning and overheard that a toilet from the fifth floor started leaking, so much so that it flooded the elevator. So, I wouldn’t say this toilet is full proof, but it is definitely the most sanitary and sustainable I’ve seen so far. And for culturally sensitive, I would rate the toilet a 2.5/3. I believe that almost all people no matter what gender can use it. However, I’m not sure if people with disabilities would be able to use it easily.